AI has the second highest average funding, behind only the tech sector as a whole. However the funding growth for AI is nearly double that of the tech sector, at 66% compared to 36%. With both sectors seeing very strong growth in the UK, it shows that Tech and AI in particular will see a lot of interest from investors. So how does your AI company reach investors? Crowdfunding is often the answer, as people will often want to be early adopters of technology and have their name associated with potentially the next Microsoft or next Apple.

The majority of AI companies in the UK (60%) are currently macro sized organisations, with only 4% considered large companies. This shows how competitive the AI market currently is, with most companies fighting for investment to get to the top. The current financial situation that the UK is in means that investors are a bit more conservative in their investments, looking for proof of potential profit before committing. There are any ways to build this trust, but often sitting directly in front of an investor is hard to do as they will want to do their own research before this stage. So the best thing to do is to help them with their research and show them exactly what is going to ease any concerns.

Building an online investor profile through social media and PR

Building up an investor profile online will ease the concerns of potential investors and give them insight into how your company runs and how likely they will be to see a return on investment. Social media is an amazing tool for building this profile. With a cohesive brand image, you can display your works, reviews and testimonials, product run-throughs, and any news that any investor would be pleased to see. Social media also allows you to be in control of what is seen and have a say of the narrative around your company.

PR is another tool widely used by AI brands in building a strong investor profile. Having news stories published in well established online publications brings your company to the front page of Google with countless positive headlines. This becomes even more important on the back of a bit of bad press or negative sector-based news. With AI still a developing industry, and a lot of news around the potential threats of AI, news can sometimes be more negative, and if this news crosses over with the keywords that you target and score highly for then it means there will be a mixed bag of views. Crisis communications aren’t essential for reacting to this, but they do help build that positive wall of news that investors love to see.

Social media’s role in crowdfunding and investor perception

It’s not all about reaching your target – crowdfunding is about getting your name out there and showing that you’re ready to expand and take you brand to the next step. With the right marketing and PR, you will reach your target, and often exceed it, but along the way you will be creating a perception to potential investors.

Social media allows for exponential reach, where the right messaging can get to wider audiences and allow them to not only see your crowdfunding campaign, but also your brand. Regular updates across social channels help build a brand story, that investors love to follow, and allow for consistent engagement.

How crowdfunding can build an AI brand

Growth is essential to any business, but with AI still constantly developing, the last thing you need is to pause for an investor push. Crowdfunding is a great method of quickly securing consistent investment, but also generating interest in the brand and product.

Crowdfunding campaigns that are shared across social media channels and though PR outreach will build a brand story to bring in investment. The promise of getting a first look at an AI product, discount on launch, or even just having your name associated with the brand is often enough for crowdfund investors to show interest in your brand.

People obviously don’t just scope around crowdfunding platforms to see what catches their eye, but they do give time to what catches their attention online. Through social media campaigns and PR outreach, crowdfund campaigns really lift off and bring in eager eyes.

Kickstarting your AI crowdfunding campaign

The best place to start is to choose a crowdfunding platform. This can be any of the well-established platforms but can also be a self-created page with a simple “donate” button. The next thing to consider is what the investor gets out of it. Typically, investors expect a share of the company or promise of interest on their returns. Crowdfunding can be a little different, with investors promised early access to a platform, a free product, or even just having their name associated with the brand. Clarifying what the investor return is will help you then take your campaign to the market.

Crowdfunding campaigns work well through PR outreach. We have worked with many crowdfunding campaigns, and publications are always happy to pick up the story to promote. Combining the PR with a social media push means even more organic reach, joining the dots between what people are reading online and what they see on social media. The brand feel is expanded from story to imagery and makes a stronger connection with potential investors.

If you are an AI company looking to bring in investment to take you to the next level, get in touch. PR and social media are great for crowdfunding campaigns, but we also tailor our digital marketing packages to your needs so will ensure your brand is seen and grows.