Talented invests in fractional marketing agency, Early

In a move to broaden its portfolio, creative agency Talented, led by Gautam Reghunath and PG Aditiya, has invested in Early, a fractional marketing consultancy that caters to startups. This marks the second entrepreneurial venture to join Talented's ‘Grid of Companies,’ following the launch of The New Thing last year.

Early, co-founded by Meghana Bhat, aims to reshape how startups approach marketing, offering an alternative to traditional advertising agencies that often struggle to meet the unique needs of early-stage companies.

Bhat, formerly the chief operating officer and head of creative strategy at Webchutney, has long recognised the gap in marketing services tailored for startups. "I’ve spoken to over 100 founders and marketers, and it's clear that marketing is the most misunderstood aspect of business," she said. "Startups tend to see marketing as non-essential or treat it merely as brand communication. But the reality is, when done right, marketing is a growth engine that can drive exponential revenue."

Early will operate from Bengaluru’s Church Street and share office space with other Talented ventures in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The consultancy will focus on providing startups with strategic marketing guidance, helping them navigate a cluttered landscape filled with trends and choices that often overwhelm founders.

Bhat emphasises that Early is not an advertising agency in the traditional sense but a firm that helps startups integrate marketing as a core business function. “We’ll work with founders to make sense of the marketing landscape, turning it into a revenue-driving component, rather than an afterthought,” she explains. “Successful companies have built moats around their brands through strategic marketing, and we aim to bring that advantage to startups without disrupting their unique energy.”

Talented’s investment in Early reflects the company’s broader strategy of supporting businesses that operate in advertising-adjacent spaces. Founders Reghunath and Aditiya believe that traditional agency models often fail to meet the agility and specific needs of startups, which require a nimbler, marketing-first approach.

“With Early, we’re building a home for India’s best startup marketers for hire,” said Reghunath. “Startups often don’t know when or how to bring marketing into the mix, and traditional agencies lack the necessary skills to guide them through that process. Early is designed to address this gap with a team of experts who understand the unique demands of startup marketing.”

Bhat’s experience in the marketing world is extensive, having worked across a range of sectors—from Webchutney, to strategy roles at Scoopwhoop, and product marketing at various SaaS startups. Her holistic understanding of marketing makes Early uniquely positioned to offer startups the guidance they need to scale efficiently.

As Talented continues to expand its Grid of Companies, the focus remains on investing in entrepreneurs who are building businesses in areas that complement traditional advertising. With Early, Talented is betting on the rising importance of marketing as a key driver for startup success, aiming to fill the gap left by conventional agencies.

This new partnership is not just about offering marketing services—it’s about changing the perception of marketing within the startup ecosystem. Early will give startups the tools to turn marketing from an overlooked expense into a strategic advantage, unlocking growth potential in the process.