Short answer: Before you raise: audit what investors will find when they search you, pick two or three target publications, lock in coverage six to eight weeks early, secure a founder byline, balance your link types, fill any page-one gaps, add an honest “as featured in” section, and keep everything live and indexed through the round.
The pre-raise PR checklist
- Google your name, your co-founders and your company — note exactly what an investor would see.
- Choose two or three target outlets: one national or finance title, one industry publication.
- Lock in coverage six to eight weeks before your first meeting.
- Secure at least one founder byline or interview that shows point of view.
- Balance link types so your profile looks earned, not engineered.
- Fill any gaps on page one of Google with credible, relevant pages.
- Add an honest, well-designed “as featured in” section to your site and deck.
- Keep coverage live and indexed so it works through the whole raise.
A simple timeline
| When |
Do this |
| 8–6 weeks before |
Audit results; choose outlets; begin securing coverage |
| 6–4 weeks before |
Publish a founder byline and a recognised feature |
| 4–2 weeks before |
Fill page-one gaps; add “as featured in” |
| 2–0 weeks before |
Confirm everything is live and indexed |
Each item is explained in depth in the complete fundraising PR guide and in how to build founder credibility before meeting investors.
Work the checklist without a retainer
Pick your outlets, see authority, link type and price up front, and pay only when each feature is live.
Browse media placements
Frequently asked questions
What PR should a startup do before raising capital?
Audit your search results, secure coverage in two or three relevant outlets, publish a founder byline, balance your link types, and make sure it is all live and indexed before meetings begin.
How far in advance should I start PR before a raise?
Six to eight weeks before your first investor meeting, so coverage is published and indexed when investors search you.
How many media placements do I need before fundraising?
Fewer than agencies suggest — one or two recognised features plus enough supporting coverage to fill page one of Google credibly. Relevance beats volume.
Do I need a PR agency retainer to do this?
No. A pay-per-placement model lets you complete the checklist on a fixed timeline without a monthly contract, paying only for the placements you choose.
