You Don’t Need Millions to Look Massive
Some startups look big like they’ve raised $10 million.
Truth is, they haven’t.
They just know how to show up smart.
📸 One great photo.
🎤 One smart placement.
💥 One bold moment.
That’s all it takes to look like a big deal. Even on a small budget.
This blog is your simple guide to doing just that. Inspired by real startup moves we’ve seen across Ireland and Austria, and ideas from Udi Ledergor’s book, “Courageous Marketing.”
Big Looks. Small Budgets.
Let’s clear something up:
You don’t have to fake it.
You just have to frame it.
Here’s what that means:
- You don’t need a huge booth at Web Summit.
- You do need one photo that looks like your brand runs the show.
- You don’t need a nationwide campaign.
- You do need a clever post that makes one billboard feel like a movement.
It’s not about size.
It’s about how it looks, where it shows up, and what it says.
Read the story that inspired this idea: How Israeli startups stole the spotlight at Web Summit (Ynet)
Real Examples: Startups Who Nailed the Look
📍 Galway Startup
A Galway-based company collaborated with TG4 to run a local TV spot, showcasing their brand during prime-time viewing. They amplified the campaign by sharing behind-the-scenes footage on LinkedIn, creating the impression of a widespread media presence.
📍 Vienna-based SaaS
This startup utilized tram advertising through Wiener Linien to display their branding across Vienna’s public transport network. By encouraging event attendees to share photos of the trams on social media, they achieved significant online visibility.
📍 Dublin Fintech
A fintech company in Dublin strategically placed a single billboard near a major tech hub. They then shared images of the billboard on LinkedIn with the caption “The €500 ad that turned heads,” garnering attention from both media and potential clients.
📍 Salzburg App Team
At the Tech Jobs Fair in Vienna, a Salzburg-based app team set up a distinctive yellow beanbag lounge. The cozy setup became a popular spot for attendees, resulting in numerous photos featuring their branding circulating on social media.
How to Do It: Your Startup Visibility Checklist
✅ Pick a Platform That Feels Big
- Think: Web Summit, Tech Connect, city-center billboards, or even a food truck at a local university.
✅ Buy the Smallest Slice of That Platform
- One screen rotation.
- A poster in a train station.
- One printed page in a niche mag.
✅ Make It Look Great
- Take epic photos.
- Use crowds, angles, and lighting.
- Think Instagram, not newspaper.
✅ Share It Like It’s Breaking News
- Post it with energy.
- Add hashtags like #StartupMoment or #BetaToBoss.
- Ask your team to reshare.
✅ Turn Your Campaign Into a Story
- Tag people.
- Explain your “why.”
- Ask questions.
✅ Budget for Boldness
- Set aside 5–10% of your budget for “What If” moments.
- These are experiments, and they might just go viral.
Why This Works
🚀 People notice what’s visible.
🧠 Perception builds trust.
⚔️ Looking serious makes others take you seriously.
And let’s be real:
You don’t need millions.
You just need strategy, style, and a bit of guts.
Final Thoughts
Big brands spend big because they can.
Startups win by being creative, unexpected, and photogenic.
You don’t need a massive budget to look like a massive brand.
You just need to show up where it counts and make it count.
✨ Want your startup to feel “everywhere”?
Start with one bold idea. Frame it right. Share it loud.
This is your sign to look way bigger than your bank account.
👉 Explore the prompts to make AI-visuals possible: Download our full AI Prompt Collection
