Strategic communications for fast-growth tech startups
Strategic communications starts with the end: Impact.
Commercial objectives should be the driving force behind all media activity and communications consultancy – from seed-funded startups, passing through Series A and Series B funding rounds, to ultimate targets of IPO and exit. Whether you’re raising angel investment or venture capital, scaling a business through international growth, building a team to deliver increased sales, or preparing for an IPO, your story must resonate with the key stakeholders able to influence the success of your business.
We are typically hired on the basis that strategic PR consultancies provide critical advisory to help clients achieve key objectives:
- Raising finance: Carefully planned and executed PR strategies deliver media coverage that establish startups and scaleups as truly innovative, with leadership worthy of investment in growth markets capable of providing significant future returns.
- Building teams: To achieve scale, funded companies with a strong media profile tend to have the pick of the talent required to develop the business and accelerate sales growth.
- Growing revenue: Strategic PR – securing coverage in media read by key decision makers – generates sales and partnership leads from corporations and other organisations, resulting in the traction and revenue growth required to raise funds for further growth marketing and hiring talent.
Consistent and persistent communications
This is encapsulated by communicating clearly, consistently, and persistently where dynamic growth companies can add value to existing markets. What problem does your business solve? How will you improve or innovate on what exists in an established industry? Why is your company more likely to achieve ‘unicorn’ status? Our client kick-offs are designed to understand and potentially refine the company’s positioning. This involves agreeing what the strategic messages and three USPs are – and how to distil them into very simple terms that can be easily conveyed to journalists, with an understanding of how they slot into a fast-moving news agenda. All of this has to be done with authenticity and backed up with proof points that leave nothing to doubt.
This is encapsulated by communicating clearly, consistently, and persistently where dynamic growth companies can add value to existing markets. What problem does your business solve? How will you improve or innovate on what exists in an established industry? Why is your company more likely to achieve ‘unicorn’ status? Our client kick-offs are designed to understand and potentially refine the company’s positioning. This involves agreeing what the strategic messages and three USPs are – and how to distil them into very simple terms that can be easily conveyed to journalists, with an understanding of how they slot into a fast-moving news agenda. All of this has to be done with authenticity and backed up with proof points that leave nothing to doubt.
Standing out in the crowd
Tech startups face fierce competition to stand out in a market where journalists are inundated with pitches and have to quickly distinguish which companies will address the future needs of the markets in which they operate. We work with highly intelligent founders, often from deep academic backgrounds, where they are used to articulating what they do to people in their field and feel there is no direct rival to their technology. Our role is to help them appreciate where journalists may perceive there to be competition and to provide coherent arguments and a compelling story around why their differences are strengths. Doing this successfully leads to the public relations activity that venture capital firms and potential partners take notice of where product-market fit meets clear strategic vision.
Tech startups face fierce competition to stand out in a market where journalists are inundated with pitches and have to quickly distinguish which companies will address the future needs of the markets in which they operate. We work with highly intelligent founders, often from deep academic backgrounds, where they are used to articulating what they do to people in their field and feel there is no direct rival to their technology. Our role is to help them appreciate where journalists may perceive there to be competition and to provide coherent arguments and a compelling story around why their differences are strengths. Doing this successfully leads to the public relations activity that venture capital firms and potential partners take notice of where product-market fit meets clear strategic vision.
Shifting gears from Seed to Unicorn
What starts with visibility and media profile at the Seed and Series A stage moves to the communication of market leadership and traction at Series B, Series C and beyond, with growth underpinned by success and the hitting of key milestones. At this point, public relations also shifts through the gears, opening up access to greater broadcast opportunities on television and radio, as well as entry to conversations with larger partners, advocates, investors and political influence.
What starts with visibility and media profile at the Seed and Series A stage moves to the communication of market leadership and traction at Series B, Series C and beyond, with growth underpinned by success and the hitting of key milestones. At this point, public relations also shifts through the gears, opening up access to greater broadcast opportunities on television and radio, as well as entry to conversations with larger partners, advocates, investors and political influence.
As a well-established PR agency in the fast-growth tech and innovation ecosystem, we pride ourselves on bringing a deep understanding of how to craft a compelling narrative, secure influential media coverage, and build lasting relationships with the press. We are long-term partners and have a track record of working with companies from the very early stage of Seed funding, through Series A and B rounds, to successful exits or unicorn status. Working with first-time founders all the way through to established private-equity backed and market-listed companies with growth CEOs means we understand the entire life cycle.
From early coverage wins in influential trade publications, to national and international profiles and features, keynotes at the biggest events, or dealing with difficult moments through crisis communications, our role as strategic advisors goes way beyond the tactical execution of a media programme. We tell company stories that remain consistent, persuasive and authentic to inspire credibility and trust. And doing so sees our clients unlock assets and a brand voice that helps them meet their business goals and the impact they desire.