• February 14, 2023
• by:crossoceanfund

Cross Ocean Ventures, the premier early-stage investment fund for international founders with global ambitions announces investment in PicUP, an award winning AI-based visualization, optimization, and personalization platform system for outbound calls that makes it easier for businesses to engage with consumers. PicUPs unique patented technology helps call centers to improve their customer service and increase sales by adding a personalized digital layer and connecting digital channels to the phone call’s interface. Cross Ocean is not the only investor seeing the value. The $1.5Mill round is complemented by investors including: Vibranium VC, Skywell Capital Partners.

The Contact Center software market size was worth USD 29.5 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach USD 165 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 21% during the forecast period, according to Straits Research. The rising number of scam communications have a negative impact on the number which are replied to. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for example warned self-assessment tax customers to be particularly vigilant of calls, texts and email scams. In the twelve-month period to January 2022 nearly 220,000 scams offering fake tax refunds were reported to HMRC.

Currently, calls from unidentified organizations are intrusive and unpleasant, and voice-only interactions are outdated. PicUP’s technology adds a personalized digital layer to the incoming call that allows the caller to inform the recipient who is calling and why. This is done with a beautifully designed message, as well as engaging and efficient digital interactions between the agent and the customer before, during, and even after the call. PicUp already works with some of the largest telecom companies and financial institutions in Europe, and is currently installed on over 25 million devices, helping millions of customers get better calls from their service providers.

With their initial client deployments and pilots, The Company has already impressive results including a 71% call attempt reduction and a 66% answer rate uplift.

“We are proud to have Cross Ocean Ventures on board as our investors. Cross Ocean Venture’s extensive expertise and valuable insights make them the ideal partner to support our growth. This partnership will enable us to continue to refine our platform and bring our exceptional calling experience to an even wider audience of leading brands in Europe and the US. We look forward to exploring new opportunities and expanding our offerings through Cross Ocean Venture’s support.” said Lior Shacham, CEO of PicUP.

With their initial client deployments and pilots, The Company has already impressive results including a 71% call attempt reduction and a 66% answer rate uplift.

“We are proud to have Cross Ocean Ventures on board as our investors. Cross Ocean Venture’s extensive expertise and valuable insights make them the ideal partner to support our growth. This partnership will enable us to continue to refine our platform and bring our exceptional calling experience to an even wider audience of leading brands in Europe and the US. We look forward to exploring new opportunities and expanding our offerings through Cross Ocean Venture’s support.” said Lior Shacham, CEO of PicUP

With a customized digital layer, mobile phone screens can reveal a caller’s intentions instantly, resulting in a feeling of connection between the receiver and the caller. PicUP’s technology enables call centers to improve customer service, which increases sales. Through data analytics, personalisation of the user experience, safety measures, and real-time tracking, businesses can identify their customers and their reasons for calling before they even pick up the phone information.

This kind of communication enables secure, personalized, interactive communications that lead to improved customer service and, ultimately, highly effective calls.

“ PicUP has a unique approach to improving the efficiency of call centers and service providers. By using their technology, businesses and consumers can interact more deeply with their clients. PicUP is a team of professionals with growth ambitions, and we are proud to have them in our portfolio to explore new markets and opportunities.” said Serhat Pala, General Partner at Cross Ocean. PicUp is a great example of Israeli ecosystem ingenuity. A great founder team, with deep experience, global perspective and persistent resourcefulness.” he continued.

About PicUp

PicUp is an award winning AI-based visualization, optimization, and personalization platform system for outbound calls that makes it easier for businesses to engage with consumers. PicUps unique patented technology helps

call centers to improve their customer service and increase sales by adding a personalized digital layer and connecting digital channels to the phone call’s interface.

For more information visit https://www.picup.io/

About Cross Ocean Ventures

Cross Ocean Ventures is the premier early-stage investment fund for international founders with global ambitions. As Cross Ocean Venture general partners, we have all started companies, failed, and succeeded in building organizations with life-changing exits multiple times. We have immigrated from across the oceans to build enterprises. We have achieved this despite being part of underrepresented demographic groups. Our own experiences as founders help us better connect with and evaluate founders before funding and communicate with and support the founders after funding.