#494 Trust is the New Traction: PR, Fundraising, and the AI Discovery Shift with Mauro Battellini

In this episode, Mehmet sits down with Mauro Battellini, co-founder of Black Unicorn PR, to break down why PR is no longer optional for startups—and how the rise of AI-powered search is changing what investors and customers see first. From fundraising strategy to media perception, Mauro explains how to build legitimacy, earn visibility, and outperform better-funded competitors—even if you’re not in Silicon Valley. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a repeat entrepreneur, this episode will shift how you think about storytelling, credibility, and why “earned media” may be your strongest asset in the AI era. 🔑 Key Takeaways • When PR matters: The signals investors, regulators, and enterprise clients look for beyond the pitch deck • AI’s impact on perception: How tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity influence investor research and due diligence • Personal branding vs. thought leadership: Why founders must be discoverable—before the product is • PR in emerging markets: How startups from Central & Eastern Europe or MENA can play the global media game • Fundraising and credibility: How the right PR at the right time can shorten investor cycles ⸻ 📚 What You’ll Learn • How to identify your startup’s PR timing based on traction and stakeholder needs • Why earned media is becoming more powerful than paid ads in the AI era • The difference between “spray & pray” and strategic media outreach • How journalists evaluate startups—and how founders can become go-to voices • Real-world examples of how PR directly impacted fundraising outcomes 🧑‍💼 About Mauro Battellini Mauro is the co-founder of Black Unicorn PR, an agency laser-focused on early-stage tech startups. With a background in sales, market research, and e-commerce, Mauro brings a unique lens to PR that aligns brand perception with business outcomes. His mission: help founders from non-traditional ecosystems punch above their weight in global markets. https://www.blackunicornpr.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauro-alexis-battellini/ Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Mauro’s journey from sales to startup PR 04:30 – Why Black Unicorn PR was founded to fix broken agency models 06:45 – When founders should start thinking about PR 10:15 – The mindset shift: PR isn’t about vanity—it’s about trust 14:00 – Thought leadership vs. personal branding in founder visibility 18:20 – Why emerging markets struggle with global media presence 22:40 – How PR helped Lithuanian startups get into international coverage 26:30 – What PR looks like during a fundraising round 30:45 – AI’s disruption of SEO and search discovery 33:10 – Why PR is becoming essential in the AI discovery layer 36:00 – The rise of solo journalists, niche media, and credibility loops 38:20 – Practical advice: what AI sees when someone Googles you 42:00 – Why PR is your startup’s trust layer in the noisy digital world 45:00 – Final tips: how to map stakeholders, focus outreach, and treat journalists like investors