Top 20 SF Agency — 5 Years Running

We Don't Do PR.
We Ignite Markets.

We make tech companies impossible to miss. Category strategy, PR, brand narrative, LinkedIn, Reddit, LLM search — orchestrated by strategists, scaled by AI.

125
Tech Companies Launched
15
Years in Silicon Valley
10B
Media Impressions Earned
Launch Campaigns Content Marketing Executive Thought Leadership Analyst Relations Social & Channel Strategy Industry Surveys Trade Show Visibility Industry Awards Speakers Bureau Special Events Launch Campaigns Content Marketing Executive Thought Leadership Analyst Relations Social & Channel Strategy Industry Surveys Trade Show Visibility Industry Awards Speakers Bureau Special Events

The visibility playbook has changed. We changed with it.

Your buyers aren't just reading Tier-1 news and tech outlets anymore — they're asking ChatGPT and Perplexity, scanning Reddit threads, scrolling LinkedIn, and evaluating you across channels that didn't exist five years ago.

We harness AI to track conversations that matter — about your company, your competitors, and your category — in real time. When the market shifts, we catch it first. When opportunities surface, we move before anyone else does — and bring you in for the play. We connect the dots others miss, spotting trends that give you a leg up before competitors see them coming. And sometimes we'll spot a trend early, build the narrative around it, and take it straight to the media.

This is PR recalibrated for the AI era. We partner with your team, build the battle plan, and arm you to define and own your category.

Unfair Speed Advantage

The ability to scale communications has changed dramatically — and it's a game-changer for companies that move fast. We match your pace with AI-powered execution that gets your message further, faster, across every channel that matters.

Category-First Thinking

We don't just pitch stories. We help you define, educate, and own your category.

Where the Conversations Are

15+ years of journalist and analyst relationships — plus the ability to find and influence conversations on Reddit, LinkedIn, X, Discord, and the channels where your buyers are forming opinions before you ever get a meeting.

Proven Top 20 Agency

Recognized as a Top 20 agency in San Francisco for 5 consecutive years — out of 700+ firms.

Deep Tech, Deep Knowledge.

We specialize in the sectors reshaping the world. Our team speaks your language fluently.

AI & Machine Learning

From foundation models to applied AI

Robotics

AI-driven robotics and automation

Space & Satellites

Nano satellites and orbital technology

HealthTech

Digital health and biotech innovation

Cybersecurity

Enterprise security and privacy tech

FinTech

Payments, lending, and financial infra

Cloud & SaaS

B2B platforms and infrastructure

AdTech & MarTech

Advertising and marketing technology

Full-Stack Market Ignition.

Integrated campaigns designed for velocity. Every service engineered to accelerate your path from stealth to market leader.

01
Position

Before you own a category, you have to define it.

We work with your team to build the narrative foundation — positioning, messaging, and competitive framing that makes your story clear, differentiated, and impossible to confuse with anyone else in the market.

Category Strategy Brand Narrative Competitive Positioning Messaging Architecture Media Training
02
Launch

One shot to make the market pay attention.

Hundreds of launches orchestrated. Tier-1 coverage secured. We turn launch day into a sustained market moment — the kind that moves investors, customers, and talent. But smart founders know the truth: launch day is the starting gun, not the finish line.

Tier-1 Media Relations Funding Announcements Product Launches Embargoed Exclusives Analyst Briefings
03
Amplify

Turn one story into a hundred conversations.

Content alone isn't the moat — distribution loops are. We build yours: a keynote becomes a byline, the byline becomes LinkedIn clips, clips fuel podcast invites, industry surveys earn press, press drives pipeline. Each piece compounds the last — that's the thought leadership engine that keeps you top of mind.

Executive Thought Leadership Content Marketing Bylines & Keynotes Industry Surveys Podcast Strategy
04
Sustain

Stay visible long after launch day.

Sustained visibility across every channel where your buyers and competitors are paying attention. Social, community, trade shows, awards, analyst relations — the full stack that keeps your brand in the conversation.

Social & Channel Strategy Awards Programs Trade Show Visibility Speakers Bureau Special Events
The Numbers Speak.

We don't over promise — we over deliver. Here's what strategic market ignition looks like in practice.

125
Tech Companies Launched
10,000
Media Placements Secured
90
Client Retention Rate
100
Successful Fundraise Announcements
30
Industry Surveys Fielded
Category Creation

Cloudyn: Educating a Market Before It Existed

When Cloudyn came to us, enterprise companies hadn't yet adopted cloud computing. We built their market presence through category creation and managed communications for $20.5M in total funding — positioning them as the recognized leader before Microsoft acquired them.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → Acquired by Microsoft • $20.5M Raised • #1 Market Leader • 15% Global Cloud Spend
AI Before AI Was Cool

Woo: Tier-1 Press from Launch Day

In 2016, before AI was mainstream, we launched Woo into the fiercely competitive HR tech space — and secured Tier-1 coverage in Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, Forbes, and MIT Technology Review.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → WSJ, TechCrunch, Forbes, MIT Tech Review, The Verge
Market Breakthrough

FlyFin: From Zero to the AI FinTech Brand to Beat

FlyFin had built a powerful AI + CPA tax platform saving freelancers an average of $7,800 on taxes, but the startup was unknown. We built their media presence from scratch — securing coverage across Yahoo Finance, Forbes, Business Insider, and 50+ outlets.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → 0→1 Media Presence • 270K+ Users • 4 Awards • $8M Raised
Strategic Narrative

TestSprite: The Testing Backbone of the AI-Native Era

We positioned TestSprite at the intersection of two major trends — the explosion of AI-generated code and the critical quality gap it creates. The campaign generated 82 pieces of coverage with 919K estimated views.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → 82 Placements • 100K+ Users • $8.1M Raised • GeekWire, Axios, Fortune
Multi-Year Growth

Adjust: Powering a $1B+ Acquisition

Served as Adjust's U.S. PR agency of record across a long-term engagement spanning 10+ major announcements — including the landmark $227M funding round and two embargoed acquisitions.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → $227M Round • 2 Acquisitions • $1B+ Exit • TechCrunch
Visibility Breakthrough

Telerik: Everything But the Headlines

With five divisions, 1,000 employees, and a world-class developer tools platform — Telerik had everything except the tier-1 press coverage to match. Their previous agency couldn't break through. We did.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → $262.5M Acquisition • 1.4M Developers • $60M+ Revenue • TechCrunch, Forbes
Cybersecurity Scale-Up

Coro: From 10 Employees to $750M+ Valuation

Backed by $255M in funding, Coro is the leading cybersecurity platform for lean IT teams. We first partnered with them at fewer than 10 employees for their TechCrunch Disrupt launch — and came back for the next chapter.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → $255M Funded • 160 Placements • 2.51M Views • Deloitte Fast 500
Developer Community

Appcelerator: From 1,500 Developers to 1.5 Million

We managed communications across Appcelerator's Series C and Series D funding rounds, strategic acquisitions, and major product launches. The campaign generated 5,000+ press mentions and grew their developer community from 1,500 to over 1.5 million.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → 5,000+ Mentions • 1.5M+ Developers • WSJ Product of the Year • Acquired by Axway
Industrial Tech Authority

ARIX Technologies: Building Credibility in Big Oil's Backyard

In just six months, we built ARIX Technologies' industry authority through speaking submissions, award applications earning 4 finalist recognitions, and a media program securing 15 articles and 5 podcasts.

View Full Case Study (PDF) → 15 Articles • 4 Award Finalist Nods • 5 Podcasts • Business Insider
The Company We Keep.

We partner with visionary founders and ambitious teams across the tech landscape.

NTT
a appcelerator
CLOUDYN
FlyFin
CORO
TestSprite.
SHOP.COM
WOO
swaarm
adjust
edgenectar
ARIX
Capriza
telerik
puppet
ANDRA CAPITAL
Health 2.0
JSV Jackson Square Ventures
Liquidity
dashlane
ZOOZ
Guidebook
Fortumo
ZICASSO
HealthCrowd
Lean Startup
FORTYCLOUD
syncplicity
NTT
a appcelerator
CLOUDYN
FlyFin
CORO
TestSprite.
SHOP.COM
WOO
swaarm
adjust
edgenectar
ARIX
Capriza
telerik
puppet
ANDRA CAPITAL
Health 2.0
JSV Jackson Square Ventures
Liquidity
dashlane
ZOOZ
Guidebook
Fortumo
ZICASSO
HealthCrowd
Lean Startup
FORTYCLOUD
syncplicity
★★★★★
"I'd highly recommend Ignite to any fast-growing tech companies that need to establish their market presence. Carmen and her team proved to be a great long-term PR partner for Cloudyn. The agency was savvy, dedicated, and well-connected. Ignite built strong relationships with industry influencers for us, elevated market awareness of our offering and helped us become recognized as the market leader in our sector."
SW
Sharon Wagner
Founder & CEO, Cloudyn (acquired by Microsoft)
★★★★★
"Carmen helped launch Coro at TechCrunch Disrupt and was instrumental in establishing us in the market. Years later, we came back to her, choosing Ignite over larger agencies, because we'd seen firsthand what she can do when the stakes are high. Carmen and her team worked as a true extension of ours, and her ability to navigate complex situations and deliver results under pressure is something you won't find at most agencies."
DL
Dror Liwer
Co-Founder, Coro
★★★★★
"Ignite was instrumental in establishing Woo as a credible player in the AI recruiting space — at a time when AI was still a novel concept. Carmen and her team didn't just land us coverage; they understood the story we needed to tell and knew exactly how to differentiate Helena in the market. From Forbes to TechCrunch to The Verge, the caliber of placements spoke for itself. Carmen brings a rare combination of integrity, persistence, and genuine passion for her clients' success."
NM
Nimrod May
Former CMO, Woo
★★★★★
"I started looking at PR boutiques which could really understand our technical product really quickly. I heard good things about Ignite, hired them and fast forward to the day of our launch: easily one of the most successful launches I've ever witnessed. They're really well organized, know what they're talking about, and most of all, they don't over promise — they just over deliver. I can't recommend them enough."
IA
Ilan Abehassera
Serial Entrepreneur & Founder
★★★★★
"In a crowded fintech landscape, Ignite helped put FlyFin on the map. Carmen and her team were true partners — collaborative, reliable, and relentless in securing the kind of coverage that moved the needle for us, from Forbes to Business Insider to VentureBeat and The Information. They understood our market and what it would take to breakthrough."
JS
Jaideep Singh
CEO & Co-Founder, FlyFin
★★★★★
"Ignite was my go-to agency while running marketing at Appcelerator. We went from zero in revenue to millions in a short 18-month time span. They really understood the changing mobile and cloud landscape. The other intangible that Ignite brings is that they are scrappy and competitive — constantly advocating on your behalf. We appreciate Ignite's clever strategies and bold execution."
SS
Scott Schwarzhoff
Former VP of Marketing, Appcelerator (acquired by Axway)
★★★★★
"Building a trusted brand is paramount to our success. Ignite proved to be a terrific resource, securing coverage in venerable publications such as NYT, WSJ and Travel + Leisure. Ignite is an outstanding partner — they think strategically and execute tirelessly to get results. They totally get start-up culture, teamwork, and most importantly, delivering results."
BT
Brian Tan
Co-Founder & CEO, Zicasso
★★★★★
"Ignite really helped us reach the next level of visibility. They helped us break into a new caliber of news outlets previously unattainable by a larger agency. I highly recommend Ignite."
SK
Sasha Krsmanovic
Former VP of Marketing, Telerik
Engineered for Speed.

No six-month ramp-ups. No death by committee. Our engagement model is built for startup velocity.

Phase 01

Deep Dive

We immerse in your product, market, and competitive landscape. We learn your business cold in the first two weeks.

Phase 02

Story & Strategy

We engineer your narrative for the audiences that matter — journalists, investors, customers — and the AI systems increasingly shaping how they discover you. Every message is built to land and compound.

Phase 03

The War Room

Multi-channel deployment powered by real-time signal intelligence. We don’t just ride the news cycle — we create it, amplify it, and feed it into content loops that keep your brand visible long after day one.

Phase 04

Scale & Optimize

We track signals most firms don’t even know to measure — from emerging conversation threads to how AI systems surface your brand. Every insight feeds the next move, creating a visibility engine that compounds over time.

Carmen Hughes, Founder of Ignite X

Carmen Hughes

Founder & Principal, Ignite X

Carmen has spent her career in the trenches with VC-backed tech startups — the kind built on bold vision and relentless drive, but short on brand awareness. As the force behind Ignite X (and previously Mindshare Communications), she's built the playbook for taking unknown companies into saturated markets, and nascent ones that don't exist yet, making them impossible to ignore.

Her approach blends sharp PR instincts with under-the-radar automation and data-driven tools to give her clients a competitive edge. The results speak for themselves: more than 125 startups launched, approximately 35 successful exits — including multiple that surpassed the billion-dollar mark.

Carmen leads a team of seasoned professionals who scale with your company's needs — bringing deep expertise and AI skills built for speed and impact.

125+
Startups Launched
~35
Successful Exits
15+
Years in Valley
Board Member, VLAB (formerly MIT/Stanford Venture Lab)
Awards We've Helped Clients Earn.

Third-party validation that speaks louder than any pitch deck.

From the Ignite X Blog.

Perspectives on tech marketing, media strategy, and building category-defining brands.

AI & PR

From Clicks to Quotes: How Brands Win in the Machine-First Era

60% of searches end without a click. The new currency isn't traffic — it's citations. Here's how to win in the era of AI-mediated discovery.

Read Post → 7 min read
Personal Branding

How to Build Your Personal Brand Like Elon Musk

Love him or not, Musk has mastered the art of turning a personal brand into a market-moving force. Here's the playbook behind the persona.

Read Post → 5 min read
Thought Leadership

Growing Your Personal Brand with Bold Leadership: Ready for Takeoff?

Why the most effective founders don't just build companies — they build platforms. A framework for executive visibility that compounds.

Read Post → 4 min read
Executive Branding

How to Build Your Executive Brand Like Jeff Bezos

Bezos built Amazon's brand by building his own. We break down the principles behind one of tech's most iconic executive brands.

Read Post → 6 min read
AI & PR

Revolutionizing PR — How ChatGPT Is Changing the Game

The centaur model of PR is here: human creativity paired with AI efficiency. How forward-thinking agencies are adapting — and winning.

Read Post → 7 min read
AI Tools

7 Mind-Blowing Ways to Unleash the Magic of GPT-4o

From real-time data analysis to multilingual press outreach, GPT-4o is a force multiplier for communications pros. Here are seven ways to harness it.

Read Post → 5 min read
AI & Ethics

AI Gone Rogue: Cautionary Tales of Misuse and Blunders

From deepfake disasters to chatbot hallucinations, the cautionary tales every brand should study before deploying AI in communications.

Read Post → 8 min read

The Conversations Are
Happening Right Now.

Your competitors are already in them. Why aren't you? Let's fix that.

Prefer a direct conversation? — carmen@ignitepr.com