UK Enterprise Awards 2021

241 | UK Enterprise Awards 2021 Powering the Growth of Tech Startups – Element Communications A new tech business was launched every 30 minutes in the UK in 2020, with almost 20,000 startups registered. The Covid-19 pandemic has underlined just how important technology has become to our personal and business lives, as the success of technology firms has kickstarted the economic recovery. For this reason, SME News decided it was essential to find and celebrate the businesses helping to drive this thriving tech sector, and one name kept coming up. Founded in 2019 to be a dynamic partner to fast- growing tech startups, Element Communications is a PR agency set up from day one to ensure it is culturally aligned to the ambitious intentions of emerging startup and scale-up firms. Directors Tom Webb and Simon Moss both left board positions at a larger UK agency to establish Element with a strong belief that incumbent PR firms struggle to match the cultural fit the market desires. Element CEO, Tom Webb, spoke to us about what winning Best PR Agency for Fast Growth SMEs in our UK Enterprise Awards means at this exciting stage in the business’ growth journey: “Technology is the fastest growing industry in the world, rich with new and exciting entrepreneurial revolutions and game-changing innovations. By its nature, it is faced-paced like no other sector, often complex and always highly competitive. “Launching Element in 2019, we saw a gap in the market where some of the most innovative and exciting tech startups were without the right communications partner to help take their business to the next level. Operating with startups requires a real understanding of the pain-points and expectations of fast-growing businesses, and this is something we are proud to specialise in. Being recognised as the Best PR Agency for Fast Growth SMEs is a major achievement for our team and something we’re incredibly proud of.” Element is trusted not only by startups, but the VC and investment firms that facilitate their growth, who partner with Element to accelerate their ambitious objectives. For example, the agency represents Capita Scaling Partner, part of the FTSE 250-listed firm Capita, and is the preferred partner to the startups within its portfolio. Another landmark client is Granahan McCourt Capital, a private investment firm focused on technology, media and telecommunications. “The European startup scene is often overshadowed by Silicon Valley, but right now there are over 60 European tech startups valued over $1bn. In the UK, VC investment rose to $15bn last year, placing the country third highest globally only behind the US and China. The possibilities are endless in this market and we’re incredibly proud to be working with some amazing brands to help fuel their success,” continued Webb. Element’s clients are typically executing growth strategies, from entering new markets, to funding rounds. The agency represents a host of the UK’s most successful startup technology firms appearing on recognised industry lists such as the Sunday Times Tech Track and Deloitte Fast 50. This includes Divido, which recently closed a $30m Series B funding round and Cennox, a leading provider of integrated services and solutions to the financial, retail and transportation industries. Nina Pepper, CMO at fintech startup Divido said: “In Element Communications, we have a partner who intimately understands the culture of fast-growth technology businesses and has the knowledge, experience and relationships to help expand our business.” Despite challenging conditions for the PR industry brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Element has bucked the trend by achieving incredible growth through its entrepreneurial mindset and deep understanding of what startups need to achieve their goals. “Our philosophy is that startups must stand out from the crowd with authentic communications that are impactful, filled with purpose and creative by design. At Element, we’re here to offer a fresh approach for brands that want to develop a compelling story that supports growing their business,” Webb concludes. Company: Element Communications Name: Tom Webb Email: tom@elementcommunications.co.uk Web Address: www.elementcommunications.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0)203 633 5552 Jun21476 Element Communications directors Simon Moss (left) and Tom Webb (right)