Raising a Series A is a milestone worth celebrating. You validated your product, convinced serious investors, and unlocked real fuel for growth.
Now comes the question almost every founder asks next:
"How do we get press?"
More specifically:
How do we get into TechCrunch?
How do we announce this funding the right way?
How do we avoid wasting money on PR that doesn't move the needle?
If you've just raised funding, PR can either become a powerful growth lever: or an expensive distraction. The difference comes down to strategy, timing, and execution.
Here's what founders need to consider when building a Series A PR strategy that actually works.
Why PR After Funding Is Different
PR before funding and PR after funding are two entirely different games.
At Series A, reporters are no longer just asking "Is this idea interesting?"
They're asking:
Is this company real?
Is there traction?
Is this category worth paying attention to?
Are investors betting on something big here?
Your PR must answer those questions clearly and quickly.
This is where many startups go wrong. They rush out a funding press release without a narrative, without positioning, and without thinking beyond one headline.
Funding is not the story.
Momentum is the story.
What Reporters Actually Care About (Hint: It's Not Your Valuation)
Founders often assume press coverage comes from how much money they raised. It doesn't.
Media outlets care about:
- What problem you're solving
- Why now
- What's changing in the market
- Why your company is different
- Proof that you're gaining traction
Your funding round is simply the proof point that validates a larger story.
If your pitch is "We raised money," you'll get ignored.
If your pitch is "This company is reshaping X industry, and here's why investors are paying attention," you get coverage.
The TechCrunch Trap Most Startups Fall Into
Every founder wants TechCrunch. That's normal.
The mistake is thinking:
- TechCrunch is the only outlet that matters
- TechCrunch is step one
- One TechCrunch article equals PR success
In reality:
- TechCrunch is often one piece of a broader PR strategy
- Many startups burn bridges by pitching too early or poorly
- Reporters remember sloppy, premature outreach
A strong PR strategy builds credibility first, then leverage.
When TechCrunch does cover you, it should feel inevitable.
What a Smart Series A PR Strategy Includes
If you've just raised funding, here's what you should be thinking about before you pitch a single reporter.
1. Your Narrative (Not Just Your Announcement)
You need a clear, repeatable story that answers:
- Why this company exists
- What problem it solves better than anyone else
- Why this moment matters
- Where the company is headed next
This narrative should carry across:
- Press releases
- Media pitches
- Founder interviews
- Your website and investor materials
Consistency builds trust. Reporters notice.
2. Timing the Funding Announcement Correctly
Announcing funding is not just about hitting "publish."
You need to consider:
- Embargo opportunities
- Exclusive conversations with top outlets
- News cycles and competing announcements
- How this announcement fits into your next 3–6 months of PR
A rushed announcement often leaves coverage on the table.
3. Choosing the Right Media Targets
Not all press is equal.
A smart startup PR strategy prioritizes:
- Outlets that your customers actually read
- Industry and trade publications that build authority
- Tier-one business media when the story is strong enough
- Long-tail coverage that compounds credibility
The goal is not volume.
The goal is strategic visibility.
4. Founder Positioning and Thought Leadership
Series A founders should not just be announcing news. They should be shaping conversations.
This includes:
- Founder bylines and op-eds
- Expert commentary on industry trends
- Being a go-to source for reporters in your space
This is how startups stay in the press after the funding announcement fades.
5. Avoiding the "One-and-Done" PR Mistake
PR should not be a single press release followed by silence.
The most successful startups use funding as the beginning of a sustained PR push:
- Product milestones
- Customer wins
- Data stories
- Industry insights
- Executive visibility
This is how PR supports hiring, partnerships, sales, and future fundraising.
Common PR Mistakes Startups Make After Raising Funding
If you want to protect your momentum, avoid these:
- Hiring a PR agency with no startup or VC-backed experience
- Chasing logos instead of strategy
- Announcing funding without a clear narrative
- Expecting immediate press without groundwork
- Treating PR as a checkbox instead of a growth channel
PR works best when it's intentional, not reactive.
When to Hire a PR Agency After Series A
If any of the following are true, it's time to bring in experts:
- You've raised institutional funding and visibility matters
- You don't have time to manage media relationships yourself
- You want to land meaningful coverage, not fluff
- You want PR to support long-term growth, not just one announcement
The right PR partner doesn't just "get you press."
They help shape how the market understands your company.
How Disrupt PR Works With Funded Startups
At Disrupt PR, we specialize in working with startups at pivotal moments: especially right after funding.
We help founders:
- Craft a compelling Series A narrative
- Secure earned media that builds real credibility
- Position executives as industry leaders
- Create PR strategies that support growth, not just headlines
We've worked with VC-backed companies that want smart, strategic visibility without wasting time or money.
Final Thought for Founders
If you've just raised a Series A, congratulations. You've earned it.
But remember:
Funding opens the door. PR determines how wide it stays open.
Handled correctly, PR can accelerate your momentum.
Handled poorly, it becomes noise.
If you're thinking seriously about press after funding, now is the moment to do it right.
👉 Reach out to Disrupt PR to talk about a PR strategy built for where your company is now: and where it's going next.
