India’s startup ecosystem is thriving, with over 600,000 startups registered as of July 2025, contributing to a dynamic landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship. Getting your startup featured on prominent Indian business news portals like YourStory, Inc42, The Economic Times, or Business Standard can significantly boost your visibility, attract investors, and establish credibility. However, securing coverage requires a strategic approach. This article outlines actionable steps to help your startup stand out and get noticed by India’s top business media platforms, complete with insights and practical tips.
Table of Contents
Why Media Coverage Matters
Being featured on reputable news portals offers startups multiple benefits:
- Brand Visibility: Reach millions of readers, including potential customers, partners, and investors.
- Credibility: Association with trusted platforms enhances your startup’s legitimacy.
- Investor Interest: Coverage often attracts venture capitalists and angel investors scouting for promising ventures.
- Networking Opportunities: Media exposure can connect you with industry leaders and ecosystem enablers.
In 2025, Indian startups raised over $194 million in funding between July 21-26 alone, highlighting the competitive nature of the ecosystem. Media coverage can differentiate your startup in this crowded space.
Steps to Get Featured
1. Craft a Compelling Story
News portals prioritize stories that resonate with their audience. Your startup’s narrative should highlight:
- Uniqueness: What problem does your startup solve, and how is it different from existing solutions?
- Impact: Showcase measurable outcomes, such as user growth, revenue milestones, or social impact.
- Human Element: Share the founder’s journey, challenges, and vision to create an emotional connection.
For example, YourStory emphasizes human-centric storytelling, profiling entrepreneurs’ struggles and successes. A Pune-based startup digitizing industrial raw material procurement gained attention by showcasing its impact on 10,000+ manufacturers.
2. Build a Strong Online Presence
Before pitching, ensure your startup has a professional digital footprint:
- Website: A polished, user-friendly website with clear information about your product, team, and achievements.
- Social Media: Active profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to demonstrate engagement and traction.
- Press Kit: A media kit with high-quality images, founder bios, and key metrics (e.g., funding raised, user base).
Portals like Inc42, which reaches over 10 million readers monthly, often verify a startup’s credibility through its online presence before featuring it.
3. Target the Right Portals
Not all news platforms are suitable for every startup. Research portals that align with your industry and audience:
- YourStory: Ideal for inspirational founder stories and early-stage startups.
- Inc42: Focuses on tech, funding, and D2C brands, offering programs like D2CX for startups.
- The Economic Times: Covers funding, acquisitions, and policy updates, perfect for scaling startups.
- Business Standard: Suited for deep-tech and high-impact startups.
- StartupReporter.in: Great for daily updates and entrepreneur insights.
4. Pitch Effectively
A well-crafted pitch is critical. Follow these guidelines:
- Personalize Your Pitch: Address the journalist by name and reference their recent work to show familiarity.
- Be Concise: Keep your email under 200 words, summarizing your startup’s value proposition and why it’s newsworthy.
- Include Data: Share metrics like revenue growth (e.g., Tata 1mg’s 22% YoY revenue growth to Rs 2,392 crore in FY25) or funding details.
- Offer Exclusivity: Propose exclusive insights or first-look access to a product launch.
For example, a startup featured on YourStory offered exclusive data on its AI-driven forecasting tool, leading to a detailed feature.
5. Leverage Startup India and Ecosystem Events
Registering on the Startup India portal can increase your chances of getting noticed. The platform’s Showcase feature highlights promising startups, often picked up by media. Additionally, participating in events like the ET Soonicorns Summit or OVHcloud’s AI Startup Conclave can attract journalists looking for fresh stories.
6. Engage with Journalists and Build Relationships
- Follow Journalists: Engage with reporters on LinkedIn or Twitter by commenting on their articles.
- Attend Industry Events: Network at summits like the BT India’s Most Sustainable Companies 2025 Summit, where media often scout for stories.
- Provide Value: Offer insights or data for their stories, even if it’s not about your startup.
7. Showcase Traction and Milestones
Portals prioritize startups with tangible achievements. Examples include:
- Funding rounds (e.g., Khetika’s $18 million raise).
- Product launches or partnerships (e.g., Lenskart’s collaboration with Ajna for smart eyewear).
- Awards or recognitions, such as the National Startup Awards by Startup India.
Insights and Trends
The Indian startup ecosystem is increasingly diverse, with 18% of startups led by women entrepreneurs in 2025. Sectors like AI, fintech, and deep tech are gaining traction, with media portals like TechStory focusing on tech-driven startups. Additionally, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are emerging as startup hubs, with a TiE Bangalore report predicting over 50% of startups will originate from these regions by 2035.
Table: Top Indian Business News Portals for Startups
| Portal | Focus Area | Audience Reach | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| YourStory | Founder stories, early-stage startups | 5M+ monthly | Inspirational narratives |
| Inc42 | Tech, D2C, funding news | 10M+ monthly | Tech and scaling startups |
| The Economic Times | Funding, acquisitions, policy | 15M+ monthly | High-growth startups |
| Business Standard | Deep tech, sustainability | 8M+ monthly | Innovative, high-impact ventures |
| StartupReporter.in | Daily updates, entrepreneur insights | 2M+ monthly | Emerging startups |
Visual Insight: Startup Funding Trends (July 2025)
The following chart illustrates the funding raised by Indian startups in July 2025, highlighting the sectors attracting the most media attention.
graph TD
A[Total Funding: $194M] --> B(Fintech: $50M)
A --> C(Healthtech: $40M)
A --> D(AI & Tech: $60M)
A --> E(Others: $44M)Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic Pitches: Avoid mass emails; tailor each pitch to the portal’s focus.
- Lack of Traction: Portals rarely cover startups without measurable achievements.
- Ignoring Follow-Ups: Politely follow up if you don’t hear back within a week.
- Overhyping: Be honest about your startup’s stage and impact to maintain credibility.
Conclusion
Getting your startup featured on Indian business news portals requires a compelling story, a strong online presence, and strategic outreach. By targeting the right platforms, crafting personalized pitches, and leveraging ecosystem resources like Startup India, you can amplify your startup’s visibility. With India’s startup ecosystem projected to grow further, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, now is the time to position your venture for media success. Start building relationships with journalists and showcasing your milestones today to secure that coveted feature.
also read ; AFFORDABLE PR SOLUTIONS FOR STARTUPS: WHERE TO GET FEATURED UNDER ₹10K
Last Updated on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 3:45 pm by Hemang Warudkar | Published by: Hemang Warudkar on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 3:45 pm | News Categories: News
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