Blair Garrou

Since the late 90’s, Blair Garrou has focused on funding, operating and incubating startup technology companies, with a particular focus on consumer web and enterprise software. Blair’s current investments include Alert Logic, Fluensee, GameSalad, Graphic.ly, Infochimps, Kabongo, Performix, ShareThis and Unwired Nation. Blair’s previous investments have included Phurnace Software (BMC Software), FuelQuest (Saracen Energy), Intermat (IHS) and SAT Corporation (Invensys). Blair is a co-founder and Managing Director of DFJ Mercury, a seed and startup venture capital firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. DFJ Mercury invests in compelling and novel information technology and science-based start-up opportunities, focusing on technology innovation in the U.S. Midcontinent. The firm has a particular focus on university spinouts and incubation, often investing prior to a business plan or management team being formed. DFJ Mercury is a partner in the DFJ Global Network of venture capital funds. Prior to co-founding DFJ Mercury, Blair was the CEO of Intermat (NYSE: IHS), a leader in product information management software; a Principal with Genesis Park, a Houston-based private equity firm; helped launch and was the Director of Operations for the Houston Technology Center, the largest tech incubator in the Southwest, where he led the formation of the Houston Angel Network, one of the largest angel investment organizations in the U.S.; was an investment banker with BMO Nesbitt Burns; and began his career with Deloitte & Touche. Blair received a B.S. in Management from Washington & Lee University. Outside of DFJ Mercury, Blair serves in advisory board roles for UTHealth, the Post Oak School, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the Rice Alliance for Technology & Entrepreneurship. Blair is also an Adjunct Professor at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University where he teaches a course on venture capital.

Teaching Interests: 

-Entrepreneurship
-Foundations of entrepreneurship: strategy & funding