Project Type: One-off PR campaign
Vertical: XR
Focus: £250K ($316K) pre-seed raise, June 2024
Product: Next-gen VR shoes
HQ: London, UK 🇬🇧
Brief
Freeaim, a UK-based startup building cutting-edge shoes for VR, wanted to make noise around their £250K pre-seed raise. The announcement was timed to coincide with Augmented World Expo (AWE), the premier event for immersive tech.
The goal: announce the round, introduce the product, and position Freeaim as the future of movement in the metaverse, all in one go.
Our Approach
- We crafted messaging that made the concept of “VR shoes” both exciting and clear to a wide range of tech and immersive media.
- Built anticipation ahead of AWE, tying the announcement into the broader momentum of the industry’s biggest event.
- Make the most of all assets Freeaim was able to provide, which were significant, and could help counterbalance the small funding amount.
- Aim to secure VentureBeat as our lead story, with respected tech journalist Dean Takahashi at the helm, who is passionate about innovation in gaming.
- Understand AWE attendance by media, in order to maximise potential of showcase.
Results
Our launch generated significant interest and reach across both consumer and trade outlets, with great synergy between the funding news and the physical product demonstration at AWE.
Hero Coverage
- VentureBeat exclusive (Gamesbeat):“Freeaim raises $316K for VR Shoes coming in 2025”
- Also featured in VentureBeat’s wider AWE event coverage
Industry Recognition
- Featured in: Forbes, AR Insider, Immersive Wire, The Awesomer, Maddyness, Startups Magazine, UK Tech News, London TechWatch, MIXED Reality News, Zaman, Skarredghost, and more!
- Highlighted in event roundups and demo reviews, including hands-on video content and AWE commentary
- Named one of the most exciting products at AWE 2024
Why It Worked
By combining the timing of AWE, the traction of a VentureBeat exclusive, and the wow-factor of a novel product, we helped Freeaim gain visibility in a competitive space. The campaign wasn’t just about funding; it gave Freeaim a real foothold in the future of immersive tech.
Walking in VR is hard to explain until you see Freeaim, and we’re proud to have helped more people take that first step 😉
Want to see more case studies from Black Unicorn PR? Check these out!
