This Bangalore Startup is Rewriting the Marketing Playbook—and Big Agencies are Running Scared!

By The Malketeer

Early, is Revolutionising Startup Growth Strategies—and Why Malaysian Entrepreneurs Should Take Note

In today’s competitive landscape, where many startups struggle to make their mark, traditional marketing approaches often fall flat.

Enter Early, a fresh and fearless player that’s rewriting the rules of the game for emerging businesses.

Born in the heart of  India’s vibrant tech scene, this fractional marketing consultancy has set out to revolutionise how startups approach marketing, causing ripples that even the most established agencies can’t ignore.

Here’s why entrepreneurs, especially those in Malaysia, should keep a close eye on Early’s playbook.

The Birth of a Marketing Rebel

Nestled in Bangalore’s bustling startup ecosystem, Early is anything but a typical marketing consultancy.

Co-founded by industry veteran Meghana Bhat, former COO and Head of Creative Strategy at Webchutney, Early was launched with one clear mission: to challenge marketing’s misunderstood reputation.

“I’ve spoken to over 100 founders and marketers over the last couple of years, and it’s clear that there’s a need to change marketing’s perception as the most misunderstood aspect of business,” Bhat explains.

Backed by the “Grid of Companies” model from Talented Agency, Early has emerged as a bold disruptor, specifically designed to serve startups.

It is a consultancy built by those who understand the unique struggles and aspirations of early-stage companies.

Why Traditional Agencies are Nervous

What sets Early apart?

Its laser-focused, tailored approach to the startup ecosystem—a domain that traditional agencies often struggle to serve effectively.

While many big agencies offer one-size-fits-all marketing services, Early recognises that startups operate on an entirely different wavelength.

As Bhat puts it: “Start-up marketing simply isn’t the same as the advertising services that the average agency currently offers.”

This understanding is why Early has become more than just a service provider; it’s a true growth partner for startups, enabling them to thrive in competitive environments.

Big agencies? They’re rightfully on edge.

Marketing as a Growth Engine, Not a Cost Centre

For too long, marketing has been seen as a necessary evil—a cost rather than an investment.

Early is turning that thinking on its head.

Their approach is clear: marketing should be a “strategic, sustainable, sales-aligned, revenue-focused engine that drives growth.”

This isn’t about fluff or buzzwords—it’s rooted in hard-earned experience within the startup space.

Early doesn’t just help businesses advertise; they build “marketing moats,” safeguarding their clients’ growth potential in an ever-shifting market.

By creating marketing systems that deliver consistent, long-term results, Early is helping startups transform from scrappy competitors to market leaders.

The Future of Marketing is Early

With the support of Talented Agency’s “Grid of Companies” model, Early is at the forefront of a new marketing wave.

The consultancy offers startups the chance to work with top-tier marketing talent—without the hefty price tag usually associated with big agencies.

As Gautam Reghunath and PG Aditiya, Founders of Talented Agency, explain, “With Early, we’re building a company that’s home to the best startup marketers for hire in India.”

This new approach opens doors to a whole new category of clients, redefining how marketing services are delivered in the startup world.

Why Malaysian Entrepreneurs Should Take Note

Early’s philosophy of being “bullish on marketing and bearish on bullshit marketing” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a call to action that Malaysian startups can heed to fuel their own growth journeys.

Here’s how Early’s success story can inspire the Malaysian startup ecosystem:

1. Think Strategically: Marketing shouldn’t be an afterthought. Malaysian startups can learn to integrate marketing into their core business strategy from the very beginning, ensuring that their messaging resonates from day one.
2. Embrace Agility: Early’s nimble, adaptable model offers a lesson in how startups can pivot quickly in response to market changes—a critical skill in Malaysia’s fast-paced tech scene.
3. Speak the Local Language: Just as Early tailors its services to the startup culture, Malaysian entrepreneurs can benefit from creating marketing messages that deeply resonate with their specific audience, leveraging local insights.
4. Maximise Resources: Early’s fractional marketing model shows that even with limited budgets, startups can access top-tier marketing expertise—an invaluable insight for Malaysian companies operating on tight margins.
5. Build for Long-Term Success: By focusing on sustainable, revenue-driven marketing strategies, Malaysian startups can establish a solid foundation for future growth, positioning themselves for long-term success in the ASEAN market.

In today’s dynamic startup environment, where every ringgit counts, adopting a forward-thinking approach to marketing isn’t optional—it’s essential.

From Kuala Lumpur to Kuching and beyond, the question Malaysian entrepreneurs should be asking isn’t whether they can afford to embrace Early’s methods. It’s whether they can afford not to.

Early’s innovative model offers more than just a new way of doing marketing—it offers a blueprint for growth in a world where traditional strategies simply aren’t cutting it.

By taking a page from Early’s playbook, Malaysian startups can rise above the competition and capture the attention (and wallets) of consumers across Southeast Asia.

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