Can PR Help Startups Attract Funding and Build Credibility?

Building a successful PR agency requires consistent pitching, strong media relationships, and a clear understanding of what makes a brand newsworthy. In this episode, PR entrepreneur Lakshika discusses her journey of working with more than 100 brands across multiple sectors. She explains how startups can build visibility, position their founders, attract funding, and develop lasting media credibility. She also discusses client acquisition, delayed payments, referrals, AI in PR, and the changing relationship between brands, agencies, and journalists.

• Why managing a career, family, and household should be a collective responsibility

• Why entrepreneurs must handle multiple responsibilities while building a business

• Whether Indian clients are more challenging for agencies to work with

• Why transparent expectations can prevent payment and delivery disputes

• How daily business development helps agencies maintain a steady client pipeline

• Why referrals and strong past work can improve client acquisition

• How founder-led communication can strengthen brand recognition

• Why startups often seek PR before or after raising funding

• How PR differs from advertising and bulk media-link packages

• Why meaningful media credibility takes time to build

• How technology, social media, and AI have transformed the PR industry

• Why personalized pitching remains essential despite increasing digitalization

• Why Lakshika prefers working with SMEs over large companies

Follow the ExitFund Podcast for insightful conversations on startups, entrepreneurship, business growth, public relations, marketing, technology, and emerging industries.

The global public relations market is expected to grow from $110.35 billion in 2026 to $141.22 billion by 2030. In this episode of the ExitFund Podcast, PR entrepreneur Lakshika discusses what is driving this growth and how startups can benefit from it. She also explores founder-led branding, client acquisition, AI adoption, & the realities of building a successful PR agency.

In This Podcast, We Will Discuss:Intro