Deal Round-up 03/07/01

mcn tele.com raises E14m

The German telecom service provider, mcn tele.com, who specialise in voice-operated telecommunication solutions, have successfully raised E14m from a group of private equity firms. The investing institutions include BHF-Bank, Dresdner Kleinwort Capital, Invision, TecVenture and VCH Equity Group.

The firm, which was established in 1999, have now raised a total of E35m. The previous lead investor, DaimlerChrysler Venture, have also participated in this round of funding.

Dr Jürgen Kaack, Chairman of mcn tele.com, commented: 'The decision of these renowned investors to carry out a capital increase for a German telecommunications company – in spite of the difficult market situation – speaks for our successful business concept.” The company is slated for an IPO in 2002, although the company says that this fundraising gives them sufficient capital to be more flexible on the timing of the flotation.


Authentor Systems wins second round

US-based Authentor Systems, which develops and markets Web access management and authentication systems, has received a $4.5m second round of funding led by Belgium headquartered communications technology specialists, FLV Fund.

Besides the $1m from FLV the company received investments from SI Ventures, Catalyst Partners, 5280 Fund and iSherpa Capital amongst others. FLV already invested $2m in Authentor in April 2000. The company says it will use the new funds to expand its technology, service offerings and customer base.


Voxtron welcomes ABN Amro in latest round

Voxtron, the computer and webtelephony specialist, has received a further round of funding totalling E5.5m from existing investors [including FLV Fund] and new investor ABN Amro.

FLV Fund invested E960,000 in this round, bringing its total commitment to E2.7m. Voxtron intends to further expand its i-Axxium product, an Internet platform for hosting personalized telephony services, in Europe and Asia.


Verisign invests in Safeonline

Verisign Inc, the internet trust service provider, has made an undisclosed “strategic” investment in Safeonline Limited, the digitial risk insurance company.

Investor and investee company say they have had a strategic relationship for two years. Safeonline said it was keen on Verisign’s distribution expertise whilst Verisign in turn would benefit from Safeonline’s product development skills.

Safeonline was initially financed by Catalyst Fund Management & Research, backed by Credit Suisse, BancBoston, ING Group and Invesco.