Key Takeaways
• Telli raises $3.6 million in pre-seed funding, backed by Y Combinator and Cherry Ventures.
• The startup automates business phone calls using advanced AI voice agents, now handling thousands of daily interactions.
• Founders bring a blend of domain expertise from Enpal and academic AI research from Stanford.
• Telli has already processed nearly one million calls within five months, serving clients across Germany, the UK, Latin America, and the U.S.
In a significant move that signals growing momentum for AI-powered voice automation, Berlin-based startup Telli announced a $3.6 million pre-seed funding round, co-led by Y Combinator and Cherry Ventures, with support from select angel investors.
The funding will accelerate the company’s expansion as it builds out AI voice solutions for industries that rely heavily on high-volume customer interactions.
A New Standard for AI Voice Agents
Telli’s platform allows businesses to make phone calls through AI voice agents that simulate human interaction while managing tasks like booking appointments, qualifying leads, and recommending products.
These AI agents can also collaborate with human sales teams in real time, supporting integrated workflows to boost conversion efficiency.
• AI voice agents handle thousands of calls per day
• Tasks include scheduling, lead qualification, and product recommendations
• Real-time collaboration with human agents enhances workflow integration
The company’s offering addresses a longstanding bottleneck in business operations where phone-based customer acquisition is essential but resource-intensive.
“telli empowers businesses to make phone calls with AI voice agents, converting and engaging customers across the customer journey — solving a critical bottleneck in high-volume customer acquisition.”
Founding Team Combines Industry and AI Expertise
Telli was founded by Seb Hapte-Selassie, Philipp Baumanns, and Finn zur Mühlen. Finn and Philipp were the first hires on the heat pump unit at German energy unicorn Enpal, gaining first-hand experience with large-scale, headset-based sales environments.
Seb brings an academic foundation to the team as a Stanford-trained computer scientist specializing in human-computer interaction.
Their shared experience—combining practical sales operations with AI research—gave rise to a product specifically engineered for enterprise-grade scalability in call operations.
“We know this problem inside out — we are redefining how humans and AI collaborate in call operations. This is a category-defining product from Europe with global ambition and a world-class team.” — Finn zur Mühlen, CEO of Telli
Five Months, a Million Calls, and a Global Footprint
In just five months since its founding, Telli has already processed nearly 1 million phone calls.
With a compact six-person team based in Berlin, the company is now serving customers across Germany, the United Kingdom, Latin America, and the United States.
The startup’s growth metrics are strong:
• Over 50% month-over-month revenue growth for three consecutive months
• 80% of customers acquired through inbound interest or referrals
• Operational scalability achieved with a lean team of six
Telli’s early adoption across diverse sectors — including real estate, renewable energy, healthcare, and financial services — points to a clear demand for reliable, AI-enhanced voice interaction tools.
Client Testimonials Underscore Business Impact
Clients are already reporting tangible benefits from Telli’s solution, citing improved efficiency, reduced missed leads, and increased conversion rates.
“We’d never want to go back to life without telli — it’s become an essential part of how our team works. Our sales team can focus more on customers, we never miss a lead anymore, and we’ve seen a clear lift in conversion throughout the funnel.” — Richard Ruben, CEO of KitchenAdvisor
“We had explored voice automation for some time, but struggled to find a partner who truly understood the complexity behind phone-based processes. The telli team really stood out not just technically, but commercially. They brought a ton of real-world best practices which made it easy to trust their approach.” — Christoph Pirkl, CSO at Enerix
Such endorsements point to product-market fit and a growing trust in Telli’s ability to optimize business outcomes through AI-driven communication.
Backing from High-Profile Investors
The confidence of Y Combinator and Cherry Ventures adds credibility to Telli’s long-term vision. These investors recognize the team’s potential to not just automate calls, but reshape how companies view voice interactions in the digital age.
“telli’s AI voice agents are a game-changer for call-heavy industries and we’re thrilled they’re joining the Cherry portfolio. Finn, Philipp, Seb and the telli team are unlocking enormous opportunities for businesses to automate time-consuming tasks and focus on what really matters—building meaningful relationships with customers and driving growth.” — Jasper Masemann, Partner at Cherry Ventures
What’s Ahead for Telli
The $3.6 million in new funding will be used to expand the Telli team, advance product development, and extend its market presence.
The company also plans to tailor its solutions for deeper use in regulated or complex industries like insurance and healthcare.
With its strong start and clear direction, Telli is well-positioned to become a category leader in the rapidly evolving space of AI-driven customer engagement.
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