Deal Round-up 26/05/01

Benchmark Capital backs Alternis with $4.5m

Benchmark Capital, the global early-stage technology venture capital firm has announced an investment in Alternis, a European software developer for telecoms mediation, privacy and billing systems.

Founded in Paris, the company is moving its headquarters to London in conjunction with the investment. The next Alternis product suite will be for location technology for the mobile industry.

Benchmark Capital is the first outside investor in Alternis and has invested $4.5m. SkyMoon Ventures, the personal investment company of Mike Farmwald, a Benchmark Venture Partner, also invested $1m.

Israel’s Congruency raises further $10.25m

Congruency Inc., an Israeli provider of VoIP telecommunications infrastructure software and products, today announced the receipt of $10.25m of new financing.

New investors in this financing include London-based Elwin Capital Partners and The Challenge Fund. The relationship with Elwin is intended to accelerate the company’s sales, marketing and distribution initiatives to European PTTs and other global communication providers.

In addition, existing investors Vertex Israel Fund, Giza Venture Capital and private individuals also participated in the financing. To date, Congruency has raised over $24m.


3i, ACT invest in Intense Photonics

Intense Photonics, a Glasgow-based producer of multi-functional chips used in optical networks, has secured £7.75m of equity financing.

The funding comes from 3i and ACT Capital Partners, the Irish venture capital provider.