Start-up Pontis Networks Inc. has raised $15 million from Accel Partners, Evergreen Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital. Accel and Evergreen invested $13.2 million in the company in previous financing rounds.
Pontis Networks CEO Michael Kerbis and Ofer Sheinkin founded the company in 2002. Sheinkin previously worked for Memco and Go-Next, and Kerbis previously served as president of the Messaging Division at Comverse Technology Inc. (Pink Sheets: CMVT.PK). Pontis develops targeted marketing optimization software for telecommunications operators, including cellular IPTV, and cable providers. The company’s platform helps telecommunications operators quickly and effectively define new services in order to facilitate their installation. The platform’s practical use is for customer-tailored marketing campaigns.
The company has customers worldwide and collaborates with Ericsson (Nasdaq; SAX:ERIC) and Capgemini SA (Europnext:CAPA). Israeli customers include Hot Cable Systems Media Ltd. (TASE: HOT), which uses the company’s system for its VOD service; and Pele-Phone Communications Ltd., which uses it for smart marketing for added value services.
Evergreen Partners partner Boaz Dinte said, “The combination of a new market categorization offered by Pontis together with its new recent contracts are promoting the company’s consolidation as a leader in the new market segment that it has defined.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on February 14, 2007
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