Talk to a reporter before you talk to a reporter.
I help early stage founders clarify their company narrative before they hire, launch, speak publicly, or talk to the press.
Start a ConversationWalter Thompson
Former TechCrunch editor
Startup Operator
Award-winning Podcast Host 🏆
Where this helps
Fundraising
Why this company? Why now? Why you?
Hiring
Give candidates a story that helps them understand your vision and mission.
Media and podcasts
Prepare answers that survive the interview, edit, and headline.
Launches and public moments
What changed, why it matters, and why people should care.
AI content that stays on message
A narrative frame your team can use to generate sharper drafts, not generic slop.
Why founders work with me
I’ve spent my career at the intersection of startups and journalism.
As a former TechCrunch editor and startup operator, I’ve seen what stories break through — and which don’t.
Now I help early-stage founders sharpen their narrative so they can raise with confidence, hire better, launch clearly, and earn media that actually makes a difference.
Years of startup reporting and operator experience
Hundreds of founder and investor conversations
Practical messaging guidance for high-stakes moments
Build the story before the market sees it.
Story audit
Narrative gap analysis
Core narrative refinement
Clarify your core story and pressure-test the message.
Founder Narrative Sprint
Messaging & positioning
Launches & announcements
Ongoing comms advisory
Strategic support for launches and key communications.
Fractional Comms Support
Media & Speaking Prep
Prepare for interviews, podcasts, panels, and unscripted public conversations.
Media & interview preparation
Panel & keynote coaching
Mock interviews & “gotcha” drills
I know how startup stories get simplified, challenged, misunderstood and repeated.
The Founder Narrative Sprint
I work with early-stage operators to help them communicate their company’s story clearly so they can avoid the kinds of confusing or incomplete answers that muddy a company’s narrative.
The goal: ensure that by the time you go into a pitch or take the stage at a conference, the conversation seems familiar, not unpredictable.
Best for founders who are about to raise, hire, speak publicly, or talk to a reporter.
The podcast is part of the work.
Fund/Build/Scale unpacks the strategies and decisions that shape startups before the outcome is obvious. My work with founders helps them turn those patterns into a clearer story before they raise, hire, launch, or talk to the press.
🏆San Francisco Press Club 2024 Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards
🥉Third Place - Digital Media, Podcast
Fund/Build/Scale
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