Kirsty Jarvis, TechRound100 Judge, Explains What She Wants To See From Entrants

Tell us about yourself

 

I’m Kirsty Jarvis, CEO and Founder of Luminous PR – a tech and b2b PR agency. I’ve spent the past two decades immersed in strategic communications; building a strong foundation in leveraging the power of the media and creating impactful campaigns for tech startups, fast growth scale-ups and established brands like Unilever, PayFit, Cover Genius, Wise and Azimo.

Drawing on my own experience as a bootstrapped business owner, I am also an active mentor and advisor to founders across the UK and Europe. Bringing a uniquely resourceful, honest and creative approach, I help founders build strategies to launch effectively, reach customers, attract investors and establish a sustainable presence aligned with overall business objectives.

I’m a huge tech enthusiast, always experimenting with the latest innovations, especially in health and fitness. Outside of work, I’m an avid runner with several half-marathons under my belt, a passionate foodie and self-taught chef, and a jazz singer—I even funded my business early on by performing as a musician.
Tell us about your company

For over a decade, Luminous PR has been delivering strategic communication services to drive business growth for hundreds of clients, including startups, scaleups and established brands across Europe and globally.

From supporting businesses looking to launch and build authority to enhancing brand awareness, growing talent and supporting lead generation, Luminous is a trusted and long-term PR partner for ambitious businesses who have a lot they want to accomplish.

We also work closely with founders to help them leverage their voice effectively, supporting their business in achieving both short-and-long-term growth.

The team consists of senior-level communicators and ex-journalists across the globe who are commercially aware and recognise the importance of ensuring PR budgets are used effectively to create impact for a business.

 

 

What advice do you have for companies entering the TechRound100?

 

Emphasise the unique way(s) your solution is addressing and solving real-world challenges. Demonstrate your passion, enthusiasm and purpose which is driving the work and bring to life the potential impact your tech startup can have on industries and communities. Don’t forget to highlight the expertise within your team too.

Show a clear understanding of your target market, positioning and path for growth, and provide evidence as to how your startup has gained momentum and resonates with its users.

Finally, ensure your entry is compelling, yet concise.

 

 

How do you suggest entrants should stand out from the crowd?

 

Focus on crafting an entry which is authentic, memorable and impactful. Provide a clear articulation of your unique value proposition – what problem are you solving? And how/why is your approach different?

Tell your story and back it up with evidence of where you are getting forward traction and resonating with your target audience(s). I want more than just a list of accomplishments; I want to feel the heartbeat behind your brand. The team, the enthusiasm, the learnings and the growth potential.

 

Any final thoughts?

 

Don’t hold back on your vision. It’s important to show how you are thinking forwards, creating lasting change and pushing boundaries.