Today, firstVentury Equity GmbH and vertico software GmbH announced that the Heidelberg-based Venture Capital firm has invested € 2 million into vertico, the developer of the Voice-over-IP software STARFACE. The funds stem from the aeris Technology Fund that is managed by firstVentury.

"With the STARFACE product range, vertico has developed a VoIP solution that offers the fully software-based mapping of voice communication systems. This includes not only standard telephony, but also the integration of field or home-office staff, as well as demanding applications such as CRM and call centers," said Niall P. Davis, firstVentury partner in charge of IT investments. "STARFACE enables corporations to conduct free-of-charge internal phone calls across international locations. With such solutions, vertico software GmbH will play an important part in the fast-growing VoIP market," he added.

Its browser-based clients allow STARFACE to be used by all standard browsers, without the need for additional software. In addition, the product range is distinguished by its support of all basic standards and protocols, numerous interfaces, and the system’s unparalleled openness – the use of any type of peripheral device, soft migration or hybrid solutions pose no problems. The exchange of data with other applications via ports, and thus the uninterrupted integration of STARFACE into the existing system environment, is also easy to implement. In addition, the software is very usable and ergonomic – eliminating the need for extensive staff training. The time and cost-consuming use of external service providers also becomes obsolete as the clearly laid-out interface facilitates the independent internal administration of the software by the corporation.

"The fact that firstVentury has taken an interest in our company is proof that we are certainly on the way to achieve a national and international market breakthrough with Starface, “ said Ralf Ziegler, CEO of vertico software GmbH, expressing his joy about the decision. “To this end, firstVentury not only provides us with financial means, but also with its excellent international network of contacts." The Karlsruhe-based company was established in 2005, and currently has 22 employees.

Legal consultancy concerning this transaction for firstVentury was provided by Haarmann Partnergesellschaft (Frankfurt/M.).

About firstVentury
Founded in April 2000, and supported by SAP founder Klaus Tschira, firstVentury has become one of Germany’s leading venture capital firms. firstVentury invests in high tech corporations that have the potential to scale in international markets. Its main focus is on convergent technologies that integrate innovations from IT and life sciences/medical technology. So far, firstVentury has been involved in 18 corporations, with investments in each round ranging from € 500,000 to € 5 million. firstVentury has a transatlantic approach and, as an entrepreneurial VC firm, supports its portfolio companies, especially in their expansion in the crucial US market, through its San Francisico subsidiary, personal contacts and business connections.