With major election cycles, geopolitical risks, and global technological competition, 2024 has been a tough year for the startup and scaleup world to navigate. For many businesses that rely on VC investment, it’s been a challenge to raise funds and drive growth. However, according to the industry, things may be set to change as we approach 2025.
Richard Potter, CEO at Peak, predicts “we will see spending open up, company valuations start to pick up and, importantly, optimism return”. Equally, recent data highlights that VC funding in the UK is projected to rise by 15% in Q1 2025, signalling a renewed confidence in high-growth businesses.
With VC investment set to bounce back, businesses need to ensure they have a PR strategy to match, using their investment news as an opportunity to elevate their growth further and put themselves on the map.
Here are our key steps for making the most of your funding news:
Picking the right time
You can have a great story, but announcing it at the wrong time can mean that it doesn’t get the results it deserves. And we’re not just talking about the Christmas holidays…
Timing is key for any major news story, so being aware of the new agenda is essential. It’s important to find a PR partner who can work with you to maximise results. Crucial elements to consider include asking yourself ‘What else is going on in the world?’ or ‘What is happening in your industry?’ – if, like in recent times, the news agenda is dominated by geopolitical events, these stories can often take over every vertical, not just national press.
Equally, using finance as an example, if there’s a new regulation deadline, a major scandal unfolding or a key industry event, it might not be the best time to launch. But on the flip side, using some of these events to your advantage and positioning them as a news hook can help make your story more relevant than ever.
Finding your audience
Another key element to consider is who you’re targeting. A common misconception with investment news is that it’s only picked up by investment and finance media titles. But a PR partner can help you maximise your reach across a range of outlets.
This can extend to trade, tech, business and also national press if you have a strong message and story (which a skilled PR partner can help you craft). With this approach, your fundraising story can not only showcase your growth as a company, but through its reach, also cement your place in the industry.
A springboard for growth
Investment stories can also act as a springboard for future PR success. If you have the right PR partner who can achieve maximum traction, it’s also a way to get in front of an array of journalists you might not otherwise be able to.
With a reach across business, trade and tech press, your investment news could also help gain PR momentum in the form of interviews, thought leadership and podcasts, to name a few.
For example, eflow appointed CommsCo to raise brand awareness and promote its £7 million Series A investment win in the business, trade and technology media.
The results of the project included:
- 30+ pieces of organic coverage, including Fintech Futures, Fintech Collective, Tech.eu and TechMarketView
- Face-to-face briefing with leading trade publication Waters, which has resulted in a podcast, award and several coverage opportunities
- Generated multiple inbound leads and boosted SEO and media share against its key competitors
Following the success of the initial engagement, eflow and CommsCo kicked off a partnership to build on this momentum through increased brand awareness, profile building and the launch of its Global Trends in Market Abuse and Trade Surveillance report.
Results after just three months include:
- 56 pieces of coverage achieved, with research conducted to supplement the report findings and generate two key news stories
- Four pieces of thought leadership drafted, with coverage in Finextra
- Proactive pitching to secure a predictions piece with The Fintech Times and an EMIR refit article with Trade Finance Global
- Identified and drafted RegTech Insight award: eflow shortlisted as finalist in three categories
- Three podcast opportunities secured for Ben Parker, eflow’s CEO, including Waters and Extrology
Ultimately, the UK’s focus on innovation and the funding incentives for high-growth sectors continue to make it a promising market for future investment in 2025. So, if you’ve recently secured funding or are looking to raise investment in 2025, finding the right PR partner to promote the news is key.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can maximise your investment, feel free to get in touch here.
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