Question 1

When should a VC-backed startup hire a PR agency?

Accepted Answer

Most VC-backed startups bring on a PR agency between Series A and Series B — typically 3 to 6 months before a major fundraise, product launch, or category-defining moment. Earlier-stage seed companies usually do better with a senior fractional consultant until they have a real news engine.

Question 2

What does a VC-backed startup PR retainer cost?

Accepted Answer

Series A retainers typically run $10,000–$15,000/month for senior-led boutiques. Series B and growth-stage companies often run $15,000–$25,000/month. Large generalist agencies charge $25,000+ but allocate more of the retainer to overhead than to senior execution.

Question 3

What should VCs expect from their portfolio's PR agency?

Accepted Answer

Tier-1 and trade coverage timed to fundraising and launch milestones, analyst positioning that supports category creation, executive visibility for the founding team, and — in 2026 — AI citation tracking that proves the brand shows up in ChatGPT and Perplexity vendor research.