In this episode of A Brief Coffee With…, Cathy sits down with Thomas Ohr, founder of EU-Startups, to discuss the evolution of startup media, the realities of running an independent publication, and what founders need to understand if they want to earn meaningful coverage.

Thomas shares the story behind building EU-Startups from a hobby blog into one of Europe’s leading startup publications, reflects on the company’s recent acquisition, and explains why storytelling, not product features, is often the difference between getting noticed and getting ignored.

From AI-generated pitches to startup events, media relationships, and the future of European tech journalism, this episode is packed with practical advice for founders, PR professionals, and anyone trying to stand out in a crowded market.

Key moments

00:00 – Meet Thomas Ohr, founder of EU-Startups

02:00 – Reflecting on the EU-Startups Summit in Malta

03:00 – Building EU-Startups from a hobby project to a leading publication

06:00 – The acquisition of EU-Startups and what changes next

07:20 – The changing startup media landscape in the age of AI

08:15 – What EU-Startups looks for in startup stories

09:15 – Why founders need better narratives, not more features

11:00 – How to get a journalist’s attention

12:20 – Why AI-written pitches are hurting founders

14:15 – The role of thought leadership and opinion pieces

15:00 – What makes a great podcast guest

16:30 – Quick fire: pitching journalists, exclusives and press releases

18:00 – What founders consistently get wrong with media

19:15 – New projects, African Startups and the Me Out Summit

21:00 – How to pitch EU-Startups and connect with the team

If you’re looking for support with your communications, get in touch at cewcomms.com.