Business

How Athletic Stardom Propelled Stephen Orso Into Early Business Success

Published

5 years ago

April 18, 2020

Stephen Orso operates from a unique perspective, one of athletic and business excellence. Growing up, Stephen was a baseball phenom, the next great knuckleballer, if you will. Stephen spent his entire youth training, competing, and excelling at all sports, but mainly at elite level baseball. Stephen’s unique talent secured him personal training sessions with knuckleball great RA Dickey as well as a spot on the University of Maryland’s Division 1 baseball team. In order to perfect such a unique and complicated pitch, as well as be recruited to an elite university for this talent, Stephen had to crack a notoriously complicated technique as well as outwork his competition. Stephen translated this propensity to outwork and out-succeed his competition when he entered the business world.

Not only did Stephen learn useful habits from his athletic career, he received massive amounts of wisdom about the value of hard work and how to succeed in the business world from his family. Stephen’s grandfather was a bricklayer in Bensonhurst Brooklyn; Stephen’s father worked two jobs to put himself through St. John’s University, graduated valedictorian, went on to Columbia business school and to become an incredibly successful banker. Stephen has both hard work and success in his bones. Stephen’s father facilitated many early business experiences for him, setting Stephen up to be a serial entrepreneur since he was 17 years old. At that young age, Stephen negotiated a deal with one of the largest sports memorabilia dealers in the world, JL Sports, for his personal sports memorabilia company. This was just another fix for Stephen’s addiction to success.

As Stephen got older, he entrenched himself more and more into the business world building on his skills and history. “I’ve always been committed to trying to optimize health. I could have never made it as far as I did in baseball without be very careful about what I put into my body,” Stephen commented. This is why Stephen’s investment portfolio includes many health conscious, as well as profit producing, companies. Stephen’s been a long-time investor in Barely Bread, an artisan quality bread company that is certified non-gmo, gluten-free, paleo. As an investor, Stephen was ahead of the curve with high quality yet health conscious food products. Stephen is also an investor in Flow Water, an 100% naturally alkaline spring water company, making him co-investors with Gwyneth Paltrow and Shawn Mendes. “Both of these companies make profits while helping people live healthier lives. That’s something I can agree with,” Stephen remarked when asked about his health conscious investments.

Stephen likes to diversify his portfolio, which is why he is also invested in film and television. He’s producing a new mini series focusing on fine dining, influential chefs, and unique food creations. This project has actually received some recent press in the London Daily Post. Despite being a newcomer to film and tv, Stephen’s experience investing in the food & beverage industry as well as his business acumen all but guarantees his future triumphs in the culinary & health film world. Stephen has never had a reason to doubt his ability to take on a new challenge, outwork others, and succeed with flying colors, so why would he stop now?

Business

Spynn’s PR Playbook for Startups Turning Funding into Market Leadership

Published

3 weeks ago

March 27, 2025

Matthew Wiles

Byline: Jennyfer Ann Valencia

The recent funding boom in India, where startups raised over $428 million between March 10 and March 15, 2025, reinforces the critical role of public relations (PR) in securing investor confidence and enhancing visibility. As competition intensifies, effective PR strategies help startups differentiate themselves and build a strong market presence.

Spynn, a PR agency for startups specializing in securing top-tier media coverage, enables startups to craft compelling narratives that attract investors and maintain a positive brand image.

The Role of PR in Startup Funding

A recent survey conducted by Spynn found that startups with a strong PR strategy are significantly more likely to secure funding rounds than those without. According to the research, nearly 70% of investors say media visibility and brand credibility helped their decision-making process. This highlights PR’s direct impact on a startup’s ability to attract investment.

PR helps startups articulate their value to investors by securing media coverage and highlighting their growth potential. High-profile placements lend credibility and set up startups’ potential, making them more attractive to investors. For instance, a well-publicized success story from a startup like Zolve, one of the top funding recipients, can drive further investor interest and strengthen its brand.

India’s funding surge spans sectors including Batterytech, Edtech, Gaming, Apparel, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Fintech, Energy, and Travel. While this presents opportunities, it also brings scrutiny. Startups must manage their reputations effectively, ensuring consistency in their messaging across media platforms. As a PR agency for startups, Spynn’s expertise in reputation management helps businesses navigate these challenges by maintaining a cohesive brand identity and reinforcing investor trust.

Establishing Credibility Through Media Placements

Research from Spynn also revealed that startups that get featured on Forbes, Business Insider, and other top-tier publications experience a 50% increase in inbound investor inquiries within six months. This shows the value of securing strategic media placements to reinforce credibility and market positioning.

Strong media coverage bolsters a startup’s credibility, reinforcing its market positioning and investor confidence. Spynn ensures startups secure coverage in authoritative outlets, helping them establish themselves as thought leaders. Beyond initial publicity, Spynn focuses on building long-term relationships with media, ensuring sustained visibility and brand consistency.

Spynn’s CEO, Matteo Ferretti, emphasizes the role of storytelling, “Effective PR is about coverage and creating narratives that resonate with audiences. Startups must highlight their unique value and demonstrate how they solve real-world problems.”

PR for Growth and Global Expansion

Spynn’s data indicates that startups leveraging international PR strategies are twice as likely to successfully attract foreign investors and expand into new markets. Media coverage tailored for global audiences enhances cross-border recognition and facilitates partnerships, making PR an essential tool for growth beyond domestic markets.

As Indian startups scale, a strong PR strategy facilitates global recognition. Spynn’s international media reach helps startups gain traction in new markets and attract foreign investors. This is especially crucial for sectors like Fintech and Edtech, where global expansion is key to success.

A well-executed PR strategy strengthens a startup’s digital footprint, ensuring a consistent and engaging presence across platforms. Matteo Ferretti highlights the importance of balance, “A successful PR approach integrates both digital and traditional media to maximize impact and audience engagement.“

Ethical Considerations and Future Trends

Transparency and ethical storytelling are vital in PR. Startups must ensure authenticity in their messaging to build lasting trust. Spynn upholds ethical PR practices that align with principles of sustainability and integrity.

Indian startups must adapt to evolving PR trends, including AI-driven outreach, digital media dominance, and deeper media relationships. As competition grows, startups that take advantage of PR will have a better standing for long-term success.

Spynn’s PR strategies equip Indian startups with the tools to navigate funding surges, enhance credibility, and drive growth. By securing impactful media coverage and managing reputation effectively, startups can strengthen investor confidence and expand their market presence. As India’s startup ecosystem evolves, PR remains an indispensable asset for sustained success.