Blair Garrou

Blair Garrou has spent the majority of his professional career advising and investing in tech entrepreneurs. Blair is co-founder and Managing Partner of Mercury Fund, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on investing in disruptive tech startups outside of Silicon Valley. With nearly $1 billion AUM and $18 billion of startup value creation since inception, Mercury employs an operationally-focused venture investment strategy helping startups achieve rapid, sustainable growth. Additionally, through his work in helping to build Houston’s innovation ecosystem, Blair launched a number of startup accelerators and investment organizations to help diversify and broaden educational and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Blair is also an Adjunct Professor at the Rice Jones School of Business where he teaches a course on venture capital. He received a B.S. in Management from Washington and Lee University. He currently serves in board and/or advisory roles for the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Houston Innovation Council, South Loop Ventures, The Artemis Fund, The Collectiv, UTHealth, and Washington and Lee University’s Williams School of Commerce, Economics & Politics. ."

Teaching Interests: 

• Entrepreneurship
• Foundations of entrepreneurship: strategy & funding