How Startups Can Go Viral Fast Using Memes
Memes are more than just internet jokes—they’re a powerful tool for startups to grab attention and grow fast. Here’s how to use memes to trend-jack and build your brand.
If you’re running a startup in 2025, one thing is clear: if you want people to notice you, memes are your secret weapon.
With endless competition for attention online, a basic blog post won’t cut it. People are more likely to laugh at a viral meme than read a long article about your product. That’s why smart startups are learning to trend-jack—jumping on popular internet moments with clever content.
What Is Trend-Jacking With Memes?
Trend-jacking means inserting your brand into a hot online topic while it’s still trending. Memes are the fastest, easiest way to do this. I built a seven-figure software company around this exact strategy.
Think of the viral “100 men vs. 1 gorilla” meme. Once it exploded, brands everywhere joined in. And not just playful brands like Wendy’s. Serious companies like Beehiiv, Polymarket, Ramp, HubSpot, SEMrush, and Coinbase all use memes to stay visible—and relevant.
Even government agencies are using memes now.
Why Memes Work for Startups
If you’re just starting out, memes can help you reach people fast—without a huge ad budget. They’re easy to create, quick to share, and what social media platforms favor in their algorithms.
Here’s how I used them:
When the “vibe-coding” trend appeared, I jumped in fast with a few simple memes. They took seconds to make, and they got me thousands of views and new followers. That kind of reach usually takes weeks of effort.
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The Three Rules of Going Viral With Memes
To successfully trend-jack, follow these three key rules:
- Be Fast
You have 24 hours—or less—to jump on a trend. The earlier you post, the more attention you’ll get. - Be Fluent
Use current meme formats. If you post outdated ones, you risk looking out of touch. Know what’s trending in internet culture. - Be Fun
Don’t just stick to image memes. Try videos, face swaps, and interactive content. It’s fun, and your audience will notice.
If you hit all three—fast, fluent, and fun—you’ll do more than go viral. You’ll build real brand recognition in people’s feeds.
Memes Drive Results—Not Just Likes
Still wondering if memes actually help your business grow?
Here’s proof:
- Laskie, an AI hiring startup, earned $3 million in revenue through memes.
- 1up, an AI sales tool, gets 33% of its customers from meme marketing.
- Momentic, an AI code testing company, closes six-figure deals after meme exposure.
Memes don’t sell your product. But they do get people to your site. And that’s where your real product can shine.
Use Memes to Sell, Not Just Entertain
This isn’t about chasing likes or going viral for fun. It’s about using humor to sell high-value products—especially software.
But here’s the truth: if your product is bad, even the funniest meme won’t help. Memes can’t fix what’s broken. They can only amplify what’s already working.
So, build something great. Then use memes to put it in front of the world—quickly, cheaply, and effectively.