Situation

In early 2025, Acid Labs, a rising Web3 gaming studio, secured an $8 million funding round co-led by Andreessen Horowitz’s Speedrun (a16z) and NFX. The company’s mission was to build viral Web3 games on social chat platforms, essentially bringing blockchain-based games into popular messaging apps where users already connect. Acid Labs had already proven this concept with a breakout hit game, Boinkers.io, which amassed over 11 million players on Telegram. This combination of high-profile investors and a visionary product created a compelling story. The challenge now was to amplify that story: Acid Labs turned to The PRG to make sure their fundraising success and innovative vision gained the widespread recognition it deserved, all within a short two-month campaign window.

Task

The PRG’s objective was clear, transform Acid Labs’ funding announcement into a powerful narrative that would grab the attention of top-tier media and the Web3 community. We needed to highlight why this funding mattered: the credibility of backing by a16z and NFX, and the exciting prospect of viral games on chat platforms changing how people play. The task involved positioning Acid Labs as a pioneering force in social gaming and underscoring the significance of their achievement. In essence, we set out to secure Tier-1 media coverage that would not only announce the $8M raise, but also reinforce Acid Labs’ status as an innovator at the intersection of gaming and blockchain technology.

Action

Our team sprang into action with a strategic PR plan crafted under the STAR approach. We first honed the messaging: the press materials (including a punchy press release) emphasized the prestige of Acid Labs’ new investors and the unique angle of “instant-play Web3 games on chat apps.” We ensured that the benefits of the $8M infusion were clearly outlined, for example, how it would accelerate the development of games like Boinkers.io and upcoming titles on platforms such as Telegram and other social chat apps. This narrative tapped into broader trends (the convergence of gaming, crypto, and social media) to make the story timely and relevant.

Next, targeted media outreach was executed. We identified and personally pitched journalists at leading tech, gaming, and crypto outlets. Each pitch was tailored: for instance, we highlighted the huge user base and viral growth on Telegram to gaming reporters, while underscoring the Web3 and investor angle to crypto/blockchain media. We leveraged the credibility of a16z and NFX’s involvement to instantly capture editors’ interest. Our team offered interviews with Acid Labs’ founders and exclusive details to key publications. Thanks to these efforts and a compelling story, the Acid Labs funding news quickly gained traction among top-tier media. Within weeks, journalists were running with the story, excited by the fusion of chat-based gaming and blockchain in a way that hadn’t been widely covered before.

Results

The two-month campaign delivered outstanding results, turning Acid Labs’ funding announcement into a widely celebrated news story:

• Extensive Media Coverage: Secured feature articles in 20 publications, including major outlets like VentureBeat, Cointelegraph, MSN, and CoinMarketCap. These Tier-1 and industry outlets put Acid Labs in the spotlight.
  
  
• High Impressions: Generated approximately 2.87 million impressions across all coverage, meaning the news was seen by a vast audience of tech and crypto enthusiasts.
  
  
• Massive Reach: Achieved an estimated 166 million total audience reach through online readership and syndication, amplifying Acid Labs’ story across social media and global news aggregates.
  

This wave of high-profile coverage not only celebrated Acid Labs’ fundraising milestone but also boosted the company’s credibility and visibility in the market. By appearing in top publications, Acid Labs was positioned as a trailblazer in Web3 gaming, gaining respect from industry peers and attracting interest from new users and potential partners.

Conclusion: From funding to fame, Acid Labs’ success story is a testament to how a well-executed PR strategy can transform a startup’s big news into viral media buzz. In just two months, our strategic storytelling and media outreach helped Acid Labs capture the attention of millions. The campaign exemplifies the power of targeted PR in turning business milestones into broad industry recognition – a formula The PRG is proud to replicate for forward-thinking companies looking to make their mark.