Deadline: July 31, 2025 | Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Pear VC is now accepting applications and nominations for its Fall 2025 Female Founders Circle (FFC) — a 10-week in-person program for female technical founders building in AI. Now in its 9th cohort, FFC has supported 320+ women engineers and founders, with over 50% of participants raising pre-seed funding and more than $300M in capital collectively raised since 2021.
A community for female technical founders in AI
The program is designed as a peer-driven, founder-first circle focused on building early-stage AI startups. Participants gain access to a strong network, tactical programming, and space to build (both physically and intellectually) alongside other women founders in tech.
What the program includes
- Weekly in-person sessions (Wednesdays, mid-August to October)
- Fireside chats with leading AI founders and operators
- Tactical workshops on GTM, hiring, pitching, and product building
- Pitch practice and peer feedback with like-minded builders
- $100K+ in cloud/API credits and technical support
- 3-month workspace access at Pear’s SF Studio
- A closing event with the broader FFC alum network
Confirmed speakers and contributors include Mar Hershenson and Arash Afrakhteh (AI investment thesis), Maryna Sivaieva (early hiring), Kathleen Estreich and Ana Leyva (marketing & sales in AI), and Kristin Tedford (storytelling and pitch coaching), among others.
Who should apply
- Women with a STEM or engineering background
- Actively working on a startup idea full-time or part-time
- Based in the Bay Area or able to attend weekly sessions in SF
- A few years out of school (this program is not designed for students)
No incorporated company is required — but applicants must be actively building. FFC is free and non-dilutive. With <5% acceptance rate and over 800 applicants per cohort, early application or referral is encouraged.
How it works
Following application or nomination, Pear conducts a short interview to assess fit and readiness. The cohort is limited to 30 founders to ensure depth and trust within the group.
About Female Founders Circle
Pear VC’s Female Founders Circle is an in-person, invite-only community for women technical founders, backed by Pear and supported by partners like Mercury and Pillsbury. The goal is to accelerate the founding journey with hands-on support and lasting relationships.
Apply or nominate by July 31: https://pear.vc/programs/female-founder-circles/