PearX S26

• Pre-seed startups
• Founders at the idea stage
• Startups with early traction
• Solo founders
• Technology-driven startups
• AI startups
• Healthcare and biotech startups
• Robotics startups
• DeepTech companies
• Startups building category-defining products

About this scheme

PearX is Pear VC's flagship accelerator for pre-seed companies, designed for founders building ambitious, category-defining startups.

The program is deliberately kept small, with Pear typically working with around 20 teams per cohort and a maximum of 30 teams. Each company gets dedicated support from an experienced Pear partner, with hands-on guidance across product, customer discovery, positioning, hiring, go-to-market and fundraising.

Selected startups receive US$250,000 to US$2 million in investment, depending on the company's stage and needs. Pear also provides more than US$1 million in cloud credits from providers such as Microsoft Azure and OpenAI.

The 12-week program begins with Camp Pear, a three-day founder retreat, and culminates in a Demo Day where participating startups pitch to investors. Pear also provides support with recruiting, sales, customer discovery, fundraising strategy and investor introductions.

PearX accepts founders at the idea stage as well as startups showing early traction. Companies that have already raised funding can also apply, although Pear says they typically have not raised more than US$2 million before its investment. Solo founders are also eligible to apply.

Who can apply

• Must be building a new startup/company.
• Pre-seed companies are the primary target.
• Idea-stage founders can apply.
• Startups with early traction can apply.
• Solo founders can apply.
• Companies that have already raised funding can apply; Pear typically considers companies that have raised up to US$2M before its investment.
• Selected companies must relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area for the duration of the program.

Eligible entity types: Private Limited, LLP, Partnership

Benefits & funding

• US$250K–US$2M investment
• US$1M+ in cloud credits
• 1:1 founder-to-founder mentorship
• Dedicated Pear investment partner
• Customer discovery support
• Go-to-market strategy
• Sales and positioning support
• Recruiting support
• Co-founder search support for solo founders
• Fundraising strategy
• Pitch-deck development
• Investor introductions
• Demo Day exposure
• Access to Pear's founder community
• Access to Pear Studio in San Francisco

How the application process works

The journey below is informational, compiled from the official program guidelines. Applications are submitted directly with Pear VC, in your own name.

1. 1

   Submit the PearX application online.

2. 2

   Pear reviews the application.

3. 3

   Shortlisted founders participate in an interview.

4. 4

   Selected founders pitch to the Pear team at a partner meeting.

5. 5

   Selected startups receive investment and join the PearX cohort.

6. 6

   Participate in the 12-week PearX program.

7. 7

   Work with Pear partners on product, customers, hiring, sales and fundraising.

8. 8

   Present the startup at Demo Day to investors.

Documents checklist 6

• Startup/company information
• Founder information
• Startup/product details
• Information about traction, where applicable
• Fundraising information
• Other details requested in the online PearX application

Need help getting these in order? IncorpX provides assistance for incorporation, DPIIT recognition, MSME and GST registrations along with document preparation.

Frequently asked questions