Telli, a YC Alum, Secures Pre-Seed Funding for AI Voice Agents

If you've ever been frustrated by the long wait times when trying to book an appointment, the Berlin-based startup telli might just be the solution you've been looking for. Founded by Seb Hapte-Selassie, Philipp Baumanns, and Finn zur Mühlen, telli has developed AI voice agents that step in to manage high volumes of customer interactions, seamlessly integrating into company operations. This innovative approach has recently led to a successful pre-seed funding round, raising $3.6 million, spearheaded by Berlin's Cherry Ventures and Y Combinator.

Telli's AI voice agents are designed to handle a range of tasks, from automated callbacks to closing deals. This technology aims to alleviate the bottleneck that often occurs when a surge of customers tries to reach out, allowing human operators to focus on more complex issues. The voices of these AI agents are crafted by professional voice actors and then cloned using advanced platforms like ElevenLabs or Cartesian AI, ensuring a natural and engaging customer experience.

Impressive Growth and Expansion

Since its inception, telli has experienced remarkable growth, boasting a revenue increase of over 50% month over month. Operating out of Berlin with just a six-person team, the startup has managed to process nearly a million phone calls. Their customer base spans across Germany, the U.K., Latin America, and the U.S., with ambitions to expand further.

Origins and Inspiration

The idea for telli was born out of the founders' experiences at Enpal, a leading German startup. CEO Finn zur Mühlen shared with TechCrunch, "We scaled the customer service people, and we saw first-hand how difficult call automation for customer acquisition is and how challenging it is to manage performance." This insight led them to create AI agents capable of achieving tangible outcomes such as booking appointments, prequalifying leads, and making product suggestions.

Technology and Flexibility

Telli leverages a variety of AI models, including those from Open AI and Claude, to ensure they provide the most effective solutions to their clients. Zur Mühlen explained, "We switch around. Our goal is always to give our customers the best solutions that are out there right now." This adaptability is key to telli's success in meeting the diverse needs of their global clientele.