I’ve spent years building brands and helping founders get exposure. I’ve seen how the right PR strategy can turn a small business into a household name within the industry. Things happen quickly in the world of startups. In 2025, it’s not enough to just have a great product. People need to hear about it, trust it, and talk about it. That’s where digital PR comes in.
Press releases are no longer the only thing digital PR is about. It’s about getting your story in front of the right people, like journalists, bloggers, podcast hosts, and influencers, and then using that exposure to build real credibility. For lean startup teams, it can mean the difference between fitting in and standing out.
This guide will show you what to look for and point out the best digital PR agencies for startups in 2025. I’ll start with my team at Create and Grow.
What Makes a Great Digital PR Agency for Startups?
Not every public relations firm knows how a startup founder thinks. Some companies focus on long-term branding for businesses, or they charge fees that only big businesses can afford. A successful digital PR agency for startups must be innovative and adapt as swiftly as the founders it collaborates with.
Here’s what I’ve learned from my experience:
1. Startup-Specific Expertise
Startups don’t need fluff; they need growth. The agency needs to know how to tell a story that gets people interested, even if the business is new or still looking for money. They need to know what early-stage traction looks like and how to talk to the media about it.
2. Clear ROI and Measurable Results
Every startup founder wants to be seen, but they also want to see numbers. Not just vanity metrics, a good agency keeps track of backlinks, brand mentions, referral traffic, and media placements. They can show how PR really helps reach growth goals.
3. Strong Media Relationships
Sending emails isn’t enough. The best agencies have real relationships with journalists, podcast hosts, and blogs that focus on specific industries. They know who to talk to and how to get a response.
4. Flexible, Transparent Pricing
Startups need help that doesn’t cost a lot and doesn’t require long-term contracts. Great agencies are flexible and charge fair prices, so founders know exactly what they’re getting for their money.
5. Authentic Storytelling
You’re not just trying to sell something; you’re telling the story of a founder. Agencies that take the time to learn about your mission, values, and voice will write stories that sound real. In 2025, honesty is what builds trust.
Top Digital PR Agencies for Startups in 2025
Below is a closer look at agencies that have been getting solid results for early-stage companies this year. These may not be the biggest names in the PR world, but they’re known for delivering measurable value to startups, especially in B2B, SaaS, and tech.
1. Create & Grow (Our Agency)
Source: Create & Grow
At Create & Grow, we built our agency around one core idea: help startups get seen, trusted, and talked about without wasting their budget on vanity PR. As a founder myself, I’ve been in the trenches. I know what it’s like to need fast wins, real backlinks, podcast appearances, and genuine media coverage that actually moves the needle.
Our team doesn’t just pitch stories. We work with founders to figure out what they want to do, tell their story, and find the right people to connect with. We’ve helped dozens of small teams get features on big sites, earn authority backlinks, and get the kind of exposure that attracts both users and investors.
These teams range from SaaS startups to bootstrapped niche brands. We don’t care about noise; we care about real results.
2. Edelman Digital
Source: Edelman
Edelman is one of the biggest names in public relations around the world. They usually work with big brands, but their digital PR department has grown to include startups and scale-ups that are just starting out.
Edelman brings massive media reach and top-tier strategy. They excel at thought leadership, corporate reputation, and large campaign visibility. However, smaller startups may find their pricing and bureaucracy harder to navigate.
3. PRLab
Source: PRLab
PRLab is known for working specifically with tech startups and innovative SaaS companies. They focus on storytelling, content-driven PR, and both short-term and long-term visibility. What founders like is their flexible approach and startup-friendly mindset.
They’re based in Amsterdam but work globally, and they’ve built strong relationships with tech journalists in particular. If you’re a new tech brand trying to break into media, they’re a strong contender.
4. Bospar PR
Source: Bospar
Bospar brands itself as “the politest PR firm,” but they’re also incredibly bold in pitching tech companies to major outlets. They know how to craft a clever angle and are especially good for startups in fintech, AI, cybersecurity, and SaaS.
Bospar has relationships with big news sites and often lands startups on CNBC, Forbes, and similar outlets. They work quickly, creatively, and with a focus on results, but they are usually better for startups that already have some money.
5. WEBITMD
Source: WEBITMD
WEBITMD is more than just a PR firm; they also do growth marketing. This makes them a good choice for new businesses that want to get more leads and be more visible. Their team offers a full package of digital PR, SEO, paid media, and sales support.
If you’re a founder who wants more than just PR, these are great for you. They base their decisions on data and pay a lot of attention to ROI.
6. MarketerHire
Source: MarketerHire
MarketerHire links startups with experienced marketing professionals, such as PR experts. Their model is flexible and quick, even though they aren’t a traditional agency. If you need PR support without a long contract, this platform gives you access to experienced specialists who understand early-stage growth.
It’s perfect for founders who need talent on demand but don’t want to hire full-time.
7. SeeResponse
Source: SeeResponse
SeeResponse works with new businesses in the SaaS and B2B spaces. They do PR, lead generation, and content marketing all at the same time, which makes them a great choice for startups that want to get more customers and be seen. People know them for being hands-on and offering customized campaigns that can grow with the business.
8. Growth Division
Source: Growth Division
Based in Europe but serving global clients, Growth Division operates a bit like a growth marketing collective. They bring in PR specialists as part of a broader growth strategy. What stands out is how much they value experimentation and traction. This is great for new businesses that want to find a product-market fit while also building brand recognition.
9. Directive
Source: Directive
Directive is well-known in the B2B and SaaS worlds. They’re more performance-driven than PR-driven, but they’ve recently expanded into thought leadership and earned media. They use data and SEO insights to pitch stories that actually get coverage, especially in tech publications. This makes them a good choice for SaaS startups wanting both brand authority and organic visibility.
10. Avalaunch Media
Source: Avalaunch Media
Avalaunch Media combines digital PR with design and content marketing. They are especially good at making infographics and reports that are visually interesting and that journalists like to link to. This is a good choice for new businesses that want to get backlinks, get their name out there, and stand out with great creative content.
How to Choose the Right Digital PR Agency
Choosing a digital PR agency feels a bit like dating, especially when you’re a startup. You want someone who gets your hustle, keeps pace with your speed, and actually delivers results. Coming from my own journey at Create and Grow, here’s what really matters when you’re comparing agencies:
#1 Alignment with Your Goals
Start by getting crystal clear on what you’re trying to achieve: brand awareness, backlinks, media coverage, or thought leadership? Then look for agencies that are clear about what areas they want to work in. The best match is when their strengths are exactly what you need.
#2 Proof You Can Show and Trust
Ask for case studies or metrics like backlinks, referral traffic, media placements, mentions by influencers, and organic visibility. A good agency should be able to show that its claims are true by showing real-world results.
#3 Smart, Targeted Relationships
It’s not about reaching a lot of people. The agencies I trust are the ones that know journalists by name, follow their beats, and pitch stories that really fit. That level of accuracy saves time and gets you more coverage.
#4 Transparent, Flexible Pricing
Be careful of high retainers or unclear scope. The ideal agency offers packages or flat rates, plus clarity around extras. You shouldn’t have to sign a year-long contract just to dip your toes in.
#5 Authentic Storytelling
Your story is yours. Pick an agency that takes the time to understand your mission, personality, and voice, not just your product. That’s how they craft PR that resonates, not just registers.
#6 Responsive Communication
Your agency should move fast, ideally on your schedule. If they take days to answer questions, your media opportunities could dissolve before they even start.
Benefits of Hiring a PR Agency for Your Startup
Here’s what I’ve seen play out over and over as startups lean into effective PR:
Visibility That Accelerates Growth
A smart PR campaign can take you from one or two mentions to front‑page or niche media buzz. That kind of visibility spurs inquiry calls, inbound traffic, and credibility all at once.
Trust Without the Legwork
When third-party media or podcasts feature you, it builds trust instantly. For early-stage startups, that validation is gold to investors, partners, and even customers.
SEO and Link Power
Earned coverage brings backlinks: real, high-quality links that boost your rankings. An analysis by RebootOnline.com found that over a fifth (20.62%) of backlinks gained through digital PR fall within the Ahrefs Domain Rating range of 70–79; a level of authority you rarely achieve without strategic outreach.
Save Your Time (and Sanity)
You’re busy building a product. A good PR agency lets you step off the pitching treadmill and focus on what you do best, while they handle outreach and coverage.
Strong Foundation for Future Wins
PR isn’t just a one‑off. An early campaign sets the stage for partnerships, speaking invitations, podcast interviews, and press cycles down the line.
Create and Grow Digital PR Service
At Create and Grow, we don’t just offer a Digital PR service; we have refined it through our genuine experience in the startup world. Here’s the way we think about it, distilled straight from our process:
- Research & Ideation
We dive deep into your niche. That means mining data, exploring trends, and brainstorming campaign ideas, whether it’s a reactive push or an evergreen, data-driven story. It’s not guesswork; it’s insight-driven. - Story Creation
Once we’ve gathered the right data, we craft a narrative that’s both compelling and media-friendly. It’s not puff, a story that connects with your industry, your audience, and journalists. - Journalist Targeting
We don’t blast pitches to everyone. Instead, we build a targeted list of journalists, bloggers, and media contacts who are the right fit for your story. - Outreach
Then we reach out personally and strategically, so your story lands in the right inbox (and not the spam folder). - Expert Quote Placement (Free, Added Value)
Here’s my favorite part: we manually reach out to secure expert‑quote placements featuring you. That’s not just coverage, but it positions you as a thought leader in your field, and that’s priceless.
Conclusion
Most startups struggle not because they’re bad, but because nobody knows about them. Good digital PR fixes that. It gives you real exposure, credibility, and backlinks, without burning budgets on ads. I’ve seen startups go from invisible to “everywhere” just from consistent PR. If you pick an agency that understands growth, metrics, and fast execution, it’s not just publicity; it’s leverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
