Karbo Communications is a San Francisco technology PR, content and digital marketing agency led by founder and CEO Julie Karbo. Karbo and David Fonkalsrud founded it in 2001 as K/F Communications, and it took the Karbo name after the partners split in June 2014. The firm builds media, analyst and content programs for technology companies in cloud, security and AI.
Company Info
- Founded: 2001, as K/F Communications, by Julie Karbo and David Fonkalsrud, in San Francisco
- The split: O'Dwyer's reported in October 2014 that Fonkalsrud and Karbo split K/F Communications after 13 years in June 2014, that Fonkalsrud joined Racepoint Global as EVP and West Coast lead, and that Karbo now ran her own San Francisco firm, Karbo Communications
- Headquarters: San Francisco; a 2021 release listed the South of Market area, Silicon Valley, Seattle, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.
- Leadership: Julie Karbo, founder and CEO
- Ownership: Privately held
- Specialty: Technology PR, content and digital marketing for startups and established technology companies, including a PowerStart package for pre-Series A startups, per a 2026 company profile
- Notable Clients: Apple, Snowflake, Nvidia, NerdWallet, Oracle, GoDaddy, Juniper Networks, TIBCO, Hootsuite, Nutanix, AppDynamics, Stytch, Delta Electronics, Penguin Solutions, Intel and Equinix per the firm's O'Dwyer's listing; eBay, Digg, Logitech, TDK, RTI and Cisco per its 2021 boilerplate
- Website: karbocom.com
- Last verified: October 17, 2026 (checked against O'Dwyer's 2014, a 2021 Agility PR release, the firm's O'Dwyer's listing and a 2026 company profile)
Updated October 17, 2026.
What is Karbo Communications?
Karbo is a boutique technology public relations and digital marketing agency based in San Francisco. The firm says it works exclusively with technology companies, from early stage startups to established billion dollar brands, on media relations, content marketing and digital marketing programs. It describes a Rapid Results Method built on AI awareness and data analytics, which it says drives visibility, credibility and measurable return on investment for clients.
Is K/F Communications still in business?
No. K/F Communications ended as a partnership in June 2014, per O'Dwyer's. Fonkalsrud moved to Racepoint Global, and Karbo continued as Karbo Communications.
Who founded Karbo and when?
Julie Karbo founded the agency in San Francisco in 2001 with partner David Fonkalsrud, as K/F Communications.
Per her company biography, Karbo began as a marketing intern at SRI International, then worked as a product marketing manager at Atari from 1981 to 1985. From 1985 to 1990 she served as group account manager at Regis McKenna, Inc., where she worked on positioning and communications for Apple, Microsoft and Genentech. She later served as vice president and group account manager in Ketchum Public Relations' technology practice before founding her own firm. She holds an M.B.A. in marketing and a B.A. in economics from San Francisco State University.
Which clients and sectors does Karbo serve?
The firm's O'Dwyer's listing names clients including Apple, Snowflake, Nvidia, NerdWallet, Oracle, GoDaddy, Juniper Networks, TIBCO, Hootsuite, Nutanix, AppDynamics, Stytch, Delta Electronics, Penguin Solutions, Intel and Equinix. Its 2021 boilerplate named Hootsuite, TIBCO, Apple, eBay, Digg, Logitech, TDK, RTI, Penguin Computing, Oracle and Cisco. Current clients should be confirmed with the firm.
The firm concentrates on cloud and SaaS, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, high performance computing, the industrial and consumer Internet of Things, semiconductors, data centers, and virtual and augmented reality. It also lists secondary expertise across fintech, healthcare, greentech, e-commerce, CRM, Web3 and crypto, edtech, smart cars and cities, and telecom.
What is Karbo's approach to public relations?
The agency launched a dedicated AI Practice in September 2023 to help clients build AI-specific communications and digital marketing programs. Julie Karbo has argued publicly, writing in PR News, that agencies must demonstrate how PR drives tangible business goals. She has authored annual PR prediction columns for both PR News and O'Dwyer's, most recently outlining a 2025 outlook on technology public relations.
A 2026 company profile reports 424 media placements over a 4.5-year Hootsuite engagement and inclusion in a 2026 Business Intelligence Group PR Influencer Index; these are agency-reported.
What services does Karbo offer?
The firm lists media and analyst relations, executive preparation, events, awards, content and creative, digital marketing and an AI practice. A 2021 release said it announced 30% revenue growth and one-stop programs including end-to-end event management. The firm says its teams are led by senior executives, and it describes a global network spanning North America, EMEA, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, supported from its San Francisco base.
How does Karbo compare with other tech PR firms?
Karbo is a small independent San Francisco tech boutique. Peer firms with EPR profiles include Highwire, Mission North, InkHouse, LaunchSquad, Bospar, Thunder11, Channel V Media and Crenshaw Communications.
