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Blair Garrou
Managing Director at Mercury Fund
Blair Garrou is a prominent figure in the venture capital industry, particularly in Texas and the broader middle American region. He is the co-founder and Managing Director of Mercury Fund, one of the largest early-stage venture capital firms headquartered in Texas.12
Professional Background
Blair has spent the majority of his career advising, operating, and investing in software companies, with a focus on enabling technologies for retailers and brands.1 His experience includes:
- CEO of Intermat, a leader in product information management software (acquired by IHS)1
- Principal at Genesis Park, a Houston-based venture capital and private equity firm1
- Director of Operations for the Houston Technology Center (HTC), the largest technology incubator in Texas1
- Investment banker with Nesbitt Burns (BMO Capital Markets)1
- Credit analyst with Compass Bank (BBVA Compass)1
- Auditor with Deloitte & Touche (Deloitte)1
Education and Teaching
Blair received a B.S. in Management with special attainments in Commerce from Washington & Lee University.1 He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University, where he teaches a course on venture capital.13
Entrepreneurial Contributions
In addition to his role at Mercury Fund, Blair has made significant contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem:
- Co-founder of Station Houston (now part of the Ion and Capital Factory), a coworking accelerator1
- Co-founder of SURGE Accelerator, focused on energy-related software solutions1
- Led the formation of the Houston Angel Network (HAN), one of the largest angel investment organizations in the U.S.1
Investment Philosophy
At Mercury Fund, Blair focuses on investments in enterprise SaaS and cloud computing startups.3 He emphasizes the importance of hiring grade A talent for startups, as it significantly impacts fundraising valuations and long-term success.4
Advisory Roles
Blair serves in board and/or advisory roles for several organizations, including:
- The Artemis Fund
- DivInc
- Houston Exponential
- HTX Impact Fund
- UTHealth
- Washington & Lee's Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship1
Blair Garrou's LinkedIn username is blair-garrou-04867325, and he is based in Houston, Texas.
