Why Sling & Stone Is the Best PR Agency for Startups in Australia (and Beyond)

Choosing a PR partner is one of the most critical decisions a founder can make. In a crowded market, a powerful narrative isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s your most valuable asset. It’s what separates you from the noise, captivates investors, and builds a loyal community of advocates.

This is why Sling & Stone exists. We were built from day one for challengers, disruptors, and visionaries shaping the future.

At our core, we don’t just work with startups; we are fundamentally wired to help them succeed. We understand the hustle, the ambition, and the urgent need to turn a groundbreaking idea into a brand that commands attention. For ambitious founders, we’re not just another agency - we are a partner in growth.

We’ve been in the corner of innovators since our inception. This experience isn’t just a talking point; it’s embedded in our DNA. We created dedicated programs and specialisms designed for the unique challenges of early-stage companies. From our early-stage startup division - providing the firepower of a full communications team, built for the startup journey - to our deep tech expertise, which bridges the gap between complex science and compelling market narratives, we’ve built an agency that understands what it takes to scale.

Our portfolio tells the story. We’ve worked with some of the world’s most ambitious brands from their earliest days through to global scale-ups. Automotive disruptors like Carma and Turo, fintech innovators like Stake, global commerce platforms like Shopify, and venture capital firms like Main Sequence have all trusted us to craft stories that deliver growth, investment, and adoption.

We know what early-stage founders need - and we deliver. Startups don’t operate on the same wavelength as corporates. You need more than press releases; you need a strategic partner who understands your world and is focused on outcomes that matter.

You need a story that secures investment. We craft funding announcements, build founder profiles, and create investor communications that articulate your vision and validate your market opportunity.
You need to build a brand from the ground up. That starts in our Strategy Lab, where we help shape brand identity, messaging, and the overarching narrative that will guide your growth.
You need to build a community of true believers. Through integrated campaigns spanning PR, social, and creator strategy, we connect you with the people who matter most and help build advocates who drive change.

And above all, you need real business results - not vanity metrics. That’s our philosophy. We focus on brand building that delivers measurable impact, backed by a proprietary measurement system designed to prove value on your bottom line.

Our work with startups follows the entire journey, from stealth to scale. For deep tech pioneers, it’s about translating complex technology into stories that resonate with investors and industry media, securing the backing that fuels breakthroughs. For industry disruptors like Carma, it’s about flipping legacy narratives and building trust in spaces once dominated by incumbents. And for global challengers like Turo and Shopify, it’s about launching into new markets with cultural relevance, consistency, and impact.

We’ve been proud partners on every step of this journey.

Founders often ask us when the right time is to bring in a PR partner. The answer: ideally three to six months before a catalyst moment - a funding round, a product launch, or market expansion. That time allows us to shape strategy, sharpen your narrative, and prime the right media. But the truth is, it’s never too early to start building a foundation.

We’re also asked about the difference between PR and growth marketing. The reality is they are two sides of the same coin. PR builds trust, credibility, and authority - the reason why anyone should care. Growth marketing leverages that trust to drive measurable actions. One makes the other more effective.

And of course, cost is always a question. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Every program is tailored to your stage of growth, your goals, and your runway. Our early-stage division was built specifically to make world-class communications feasible for founders who need it most.

What does success look like in the first 90 days? For us, it’s not about how many clippings we secure - it’s about building a foundation for sustained growth. That means finalising your core messaging, identifying the journalists and influencers who will shape your story, and delivering initial coverage that gives your brand credibility with investors, customers, and partners.

If you’re a founder building the future, we’d love to work with you. We were born to help challengers like you.

Let’s talk about how we can tell your story - from the spark of an idea to global impact.