Why Fewer Seed Rounds Get Covered — and What Founders Can Do About It
Description:PR strategist Katy Goldstein, founder of KG Comms, joins The Venture Variety Show to explain why fewer seed-stage companies are getting coverage in 2025 and how founders can adapt.
She shares original research showing only about 10% of seed funding announcements make it into tier-one publications, and she breaks down the four traits that improve the odds: funding size, founder story, macro alignment and traction.
We also discuss how the rise of independent media is changing the game and why smart founders are broadening their strategy.
Whether you’re raising a round or pitching a story, this episode is a reality check you’ll want to hear.
Chapters:
00:00 – The new PR landscape for startups
01:26 – Katy’s background and why she started KG Comms
03:08 – More startups, fewer reporters: the PR mismatch
04:15 – What percent of seed rounds make the news?
05:44 – Four traits that improve your media chances
08:39 – Why diverse founders face structural coverage gaps
10:05 – Why it’s still hard to get into WSJ or Bloomberg
11:11 – Picking the right outlet based on your goals
13:42 – Founder FOMO and misaligned expectations
14:30 – Why funding size still matters most
16:16 – Constant media layoffs and consolidation
17:16 – The rise of podcasts, newsletters, and indie media
19:12 – What independent media can do that Legacy can’t
21:13 – Crystal ball: where media and PR go from here
Get full access to The Venture Lens at theventurelens.substack.com/subscribe
