Blair Garrou | Managing Director

Blair Garrou has significant experience in operating, investing and advisory roles with start-up companies, with a particular focus on consumer internet and enterprise software. Prior to co-founding DFJ Mercury, Blair was the CEO of Intermat, Inc., a leader in product information management software, where he led the sale of the company to IHS, Inc. (NYSE: IHS). Prior to Intermat, Blair was a Principal of Genesis Park LP, a Houston-based private equity firm, where he focused on the firm’s venture investments, including Intermat, FuelQuest (acq. by Saracen Energy), and SAT Corporation (FTSE: ISYS.L). Prior to Genesis Park, Blair helped launch and was the Director of Operations for the Houston Technology Center, the largest technology incubator in the state of Texas, and led the formation of the Houston Angel Network, one of the largest and most active angel investment organizations in the US.  Previously, Blair was an investment banker with BMO Nesbitt Burns, and an auditor with Deloitte & Touche. Blair is a licensed CPA in the state of Texas. He received a B.S. in Management with special attainments in Commerce from Washington & Lee University.

Blair currently serves on the advisory and/or development boards of UTHealth, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s Friends of Integrative Medicine, Rice Alliance for Technology & Entrepreneurship, and the Houston Technology Center’s IT Steering Committee. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University where he teaches venture capital.  Recently, Blair was named by the Houston Business Journal as one of its “40 under 40,” a recognition of outstanding business and community  leaders under the age of 40.

Portfolio Company Focus

Enterprise Software:  Alert Logic, Fluensee, Performix, Phurnace Software

Consumer Internet:  Gendai Games, Graphic.ly, Kabongo, ShareThis