Empathy PR

Empathy PR is a public relations and communications agency based in San Francisco, United States, with a focused expertise in the blockchain and technology sectors. Founded in 2018 by Kevin Leu, the agency brings a pragmatic, results-driven approach to PR, marketing, branding, and advertising campaigns, drawing on deep in-house experience from early-stage startup environments. While the firm is headquartered at 1001 Pine St, San Francisco, California, its client work spans both emerging tech companies and established digital platforms.

Core Services and Industry Focus

Empathy PR’s service offerings are tailored to the specific needs of technology and blockchain companies, particularly those navigating fast-moving, high-stakes markets. The agency’s capabilities typically include:

• Strategic media relations and press outreach for technology and blockchain startups
• Brand messaging and positioning for Web3, DeFi, and crypto projects
• Content creation including press releases, thought leadership articles, and white papers
• Campaign strategy for product launches, token launches, and major announcements
• Crisis communications and reputation management for tech companies
• Investor and community communications for blockchain ecosystems
• Event marketing and speaking opportunity placement at industry conferences

Given the agency’s track record working with Polygon-backed startups, Binance-affiliated projects, and the cryptocurrency exchange Huobi, Empathy PR has developed a nuanced understanding of the regulatory and community dynamics that shape the blockchain space. Their work with non-profits like Girls in Tech also indicates a broader interest in social impact communications within the tech sector.

Methodology and Founder Background

Empathy PR’s approach is grounded in the founder’s firsthand experience scaling startups. Kevin Leu previously worked in-house at early-stage companies that saw significant exits—Tubi (acquired for $440M) and MerchantCircle (acquired for $65M)—as well as startups incubated by Y Combinator and 500 Startups. This operational background informs a practical, cost-conscious method of PR that prioritizes measurable outcomes over vanity metrics. The agency tends to work closely with founders and marketing leads to align communications with product milestones, fundraising rounds, and ecosystem growth. For blockchain clients, this often means navigating the intersection of technical complexity, community sentiment, and media scrutiny. Empathy PR’s name reflects a philosophy of understanding the audience—whether that’s crypto-native communities, mainstream journalists, or potential investors—and crafting narratives that resonate without overhyping.

Location and Market Context

Operating from San Francisco, Empathy PR sits at the heart of both traditional tech and the evolving Web3 landscape. The city’s dense concentration of venture capital, startup accelerators, and blockchain foundations makes it a natural base for an agency serving this clientele. While many PR firms in the area cater to enterprise tech or consumer brands, Empathy PR has carved out a niche in the blockchain vertical, a space that requires specialized knowledge of tokenomics, decentralized governance, and regulatory shifts. The agency’s location in the United States also allows it to bridge communications between U.S.-based media and international blockchain projects, a common need for clients with global user bases but headquarters abroad.

Who Empathy PR Is Best Suited For

Empathy PR is a strong fit for blockchain and technology startups that need a PR partner with direct founder-level experience and a network of relevant media contacts. It is particularly well-suited for companies in the Web3, cryptocurrency, and DeFi spaces—especially those that have raised venture funding from crypto-native investors or are preparing for token launches. The agency also works well for non-profit technology initiatives and founders who value a hands-on, strategic approach over large-agency bureaucracy. Previous clients like Sandeep Nailwal (founder of Polygon), Marlin, Reef, HOPR, Cere Network, Xend Finance, Planet Mojo, and Wicrypt illustrate the kind of projects Empathy PR typically takes on: technically ambitious, community-driven, and often operating in emerging categories. For early-stage tech companies looking to build credibility with the press and their target audience, Empathy PR offers a focused, experienced alternative to generalist communications firms.