Content Guidelines
The StartUp Newswire newsroom exists to give funded tech founders a credible place to publish real news about their companies. Our free submission tier is built on trust, and these guidelines exist to protect the integrity of the platform for everyone who uses it.
Every press release submitted to StartUp Newswire is reviewed before it goes live. These guidelines tell you what we accept, what we don’t, and why.
If you’re unsure whether something qualifies, err on the side of real news over promotional copy. That’s the simplest test.
What belongs here
The newsroom is for genuine announcements. Things that have actually happened. Things that are newsworthy to people outside your own company.
Accepted announcement types include, but are not limited to:
- Funding rounds and investment news
- Product launches and major updates
- Executive hires and leadership changes
- Partnerships and commercial agreements
- Awards, accreditations, and industry recognition
- Expansions into new markets or geographies
- Research findings or original data
- Event announcements with significant public relevance
If your news answers the question “why would a journalist care about this?”, it probably belongs here.
What we require
1. It must be real news
Your submission must communicate a genuine, timely event. It needs to offer meaningful information to someone outside your organisation, not just describe who you are or what you sell.
Content that reads as marketing or promotion rather than news will be rejected. A press release is not an advertisement.
2. It must be accurate
Every claim in your submission must be factual and, where relevant, attributable to a credible source.
- Statistics and data must be real and sourced
- Quotes must be genuine and attributed to real, named people
- Forward-looking statements must be clearly identified as such (e.g. “the company expects to…” not “the company will…”)
- Do not fabricate events, achievements, partnerships, or outcomes that have not occurred
3. You must be authorised to submit on the company’s behalf
You must be an employee, founder, director, or appointed representative of the company named in your press release. Submitting a press release about a company you do not work for or are not authorised to represent is not permitted.
This applies regardless of intent. Submitting on behalf of a company without authorisation (even if the content is factually accurate) may constitute misrepresentation and could expose both you and StartUp Newswire to legal liability. We take this seriously.
If you are a PR professional or agency submitting on behalf of a client, you are responsible for confirming that you have been formally engaged by that company to act on their behalf.
4. Your company must be clearly identified
The issuing company must be named clearly and accurately in the body of the press release. Do not use vague descriptors like “a leading provider” or “a disruptive startup” in place of your actual company name.
Your submission must also include a legitimate contact detail (a company email address, website, or named media contact) so that journalists and readers can verify the information.
5. It must be written in a journalistic style
Press releases published on the StartUp Newswire newsroom are read by journalists, investors, and industry peers. Write accordingly.
That means:
- Third person throughout (“The company announced…” not “We are excited to announce…”)
- Neutral, factual language: no hype, no superlatives, no sales copy
- A clear headline that accurately reflects the announcement
- A logical structure: the most important information first
- Correct spelling, grammar, and consistent terminology throughout
Avoid phrases like “game-changing”, “revolutionary”, “world-class”, “cutting-edge”, or “best-in-class”. They add nothing and undermine credibility.
What we don’t accept
Promotional and sales content
Content whose primary purpose is to market your product or service rather than announce genuine news will be rejected. This includes:
- Copy written to drive sales, sign-ups, or leads
- Calls to action (“Get started today”, “Sign up now”)
- Listicles and “Top 10” style content
- Content that reads like an advertisement or landing page
A press release can mention your product. It cannot be about selling your product.
Misleading or false claims
Do not submit content that contains:
- Fabricated statistics, data, or research
- Invented quotes or endorsements
- Claims presented as fact that cannot be substantiated
- Exaggerated outcomes (“guaranteed to…”, “the only platform that…”)
- Misleading omissions that create a false impression
If an allegation is unproven, it must be clearly labelled as an allegation.
Impersonation
Your submission must not mislead readers into thinking it originates from, or has been endorsed by, another company, media outlet, public figure, or government body.
Do not imply affiliation, endorsement, or partnership with any entity that has not confirmed one.
Keyword-stuffed or SEO-manipulative content
Submissions designed to game search engines rather than inform readers will be rejected. This includes:
- Unnatural repetition of keywords, brand names, or locations
- Content that exists primarily to place links or manipulate rankings
- Boilerplate content with minimal variation submitted repeatedly
Links within your press release should be limited and contextually relevant. Multiple links to commercial pages are not permitted.
Content that violates the law or third-party rights
Submissions must not:
- Infringe copyright, trademarks, or other intellectual property
- Include images, logos, or materials you do not have the rights to use
- Disclose private personal data without consent
- Identify minors without appropriate legal authority to do so
- Constitute defamation or libel
Harmful content
We do not publish content that promotes, facilitates, or glorifies:
- Hate, discrimination, or violence against any individual or group
- Harassment or threats toward specific people
- Illegal activity of any kind
A note on health, financial, and investment claims
Funding announcements are very much welcome on StartUp Newswire. They are some of the most newsworthy things a startup can share.
However, any content that makes claims about financial returns, investment performance, or the value of securities must be accurate, appropriately qualified, and compliant with applicable regulations. Do not make guarantees about returns. Do not omit material risks.
If your announcement includes health or medical claims, those claims must be evidence-based and attributed to qualified, verifiable sources. We do not publish unverified cures, miracle treatments, or claims that misrepresent a product’s regulatory or clinical status.
How we review submissions
Every submission is reviewed before publication. We look at editorial quality, factual credibility, formatting, and compliance with these guidelines.
Submitting a press release does not guarantee publication. We reserve the right to reject, request revisions to, or remove any content at our discretion (including content that appears to comply with these guidelines) for editorial, legal, or reputational reasons.
Repeated violations may result in account suspension.
Questions?
If you’re unsure whether your announcement qualifies, or you want guidance on writing a strong press release, feel free to reach out before submitting.