Telli, a Berlin-based startup backed by Y Combinator, has just secured $3.6 million in pre-seed funding to scale its AI voice agent platform, which is designed to ease the pressure of high-volume customer interactions. The round was led by Cherry Ventures alongside support from Y Combinator, as the company looks to accelerate its growth and expand globally.
Founded by Seb Hapte-Selassie, Philipp Baumanns, and Finn zur Mühlen, Telli’s AI-powered voice agents act as the first point of contact for businesses, handling tasks like appointment bookings, lead prequalification, and automated callbacks. These AI agents can even close deals before passing more complex tasks to human staff.
What sets Telli apart is how naturally its agents integrate with existing customer support systems. Rather than sounding robotic, the agents use voice models cloned from real voice actors, leveraging platforms like ElevenLabs and Cartesian to deliver a smooth, human-like experience. The startup rotates between AI models from OpenAI, Claude, and others, tailoring performance to each client’s needs.
Zur Mühlen, Telli’s CEO, shared that the inspiration came while working at Enpal, one of Germany’s leading unicorns. There, they experienced how challenging it was to automate outbound calls and maintain performance standards in customer acquisition.
Since launching, Telli has seen impressive traction. With a lean six-person team, the company has already handled nearly one million customer calls and is reporting over 50% revenue growth month over month. Its growing customer base spans Germany, the U.K., Latin America, and the U.S., with plans underway for broader expansion.
Telli’s rise comes at a time when businesses are racing to adopt AI solutions that can automate repetitive tasks without sacrificing customer experience. By combining the efficiency of generative AI with natural-sounding voice tech, Telli is positioning itself as a key player in the next generation of voice-first enterprise tools.
