RiseSmart is a Silicon Valley startup that offers next-generation outplacement solutions. Idea Grove has worked with RiseSmart since shortly after its founding in 2006, guiding its online marketing, social media and public relations efforts. Our partnership has helped the company to land $11.85 million in venture and angel financing, to be featured three times in the Wall Street Journal, and to be covered in hundreds of media outlets nationwide.

The Situation

RiseSmart founder Sanjay Sathe approached Idea Grove for marketing and PR support shortly after securing initial angel funding. The company began with a B2C focus as a $100k jobs site, but then shifted to a B2B orientation — a smart business move that has resulted in a growing roster of Fortune 500 clients. Idea Grove’s objective was to build brand recognition and authority for RiseSmart, while ensuring that the evolution of the company’s business model was effectively communicated to key audiences.

The Solution

When RiseSmart had a B2C focus, Idea Grove promoted not only the company’s service offering, but also its core job-matching technology and the expertise of founder Sathe. This provided a foundation of continuity for a brand that might evolve over time, as is the case with many startups. As a result of our efforts, Sathe was quoted on job-related issues in outlets such as MSNBC, CNBC, Marie Claire, Kiplinger’s and the Wall Street Journal. When RiseSmart shifted its model to B2B, Idea Grove went back to the Wall Street Journal reporter who had previously spoken with Sathe to pitch the new story. The result was a front-page article that highlighted RiseSmart as an upstart player in the $3 billion outplacement industry. The San Jose Mercury News chimed in, saying RiseSmart “typifies Silicon Valley’s knack for disrupting standard business practices.” The positive coverage has been an important tool in the company’s sales and capital-raising efforts.

The Results

RiseSmart is now widely recognized as a up-and-coming provider of B2B outplacement solutions, with regular coverage in leading verticals such as Human Resource Executive magazine. Idea Grove’s social media efforts have led top industry influencers such as Bill Kutik, Naomi Bloom, Gautam Ghosh and others to post comments on the company’s blog and re-tweet its online conversations. Idea Grove also has helped RiseSmart to secure a wide range of awards and recognition from organizations including the Golden Bridge Awards, the Momentum Index, Red Herring, the San Francisco Business Times, SiliconIndia, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, the Stevie Awards and TiE.