Ai Metrix Inc.

Business: Ai Metrix develops software for broadband service providers. The company’s initial focus was on data networking services, but it had since added support for voice and optical services. Ai Metrix’s signature offering, NeuralStar, allows scalable solutions for inventory management, service assurance, service activation and business layer integration.

The company’s clients seem most interested in the network fault monitoring performance module, which enables customers to see their entire network through a single console and the inventory discovery module, which enables customers to identify stranded assets that are not being used efficiently or don’t need to be used.

Headquarters: Herdon, Va.

Founded: 1996

VC raised to date: $29M

Capital raised one year ago: $23M

Investors: General Atlantic Partners LLC, Spectrum Equity Investors.

Plans one year ago: Ai Metrix was most successful with tier-two telecom carriers, however it also counted The U.S. Department of Defense as a client. With a post-money valuation of $60 million, Ai Metrix planned to accelerate its product development and deployment efforts. Additionally, the company planned to further enhance its customer support capabilities and expand its domestic and international marketing program. The company expected to finish out a year with $15 million in revenue and had no plans to raise an additional round of private equity.

Status: Ai Metrix maintained its focus on telecom carriers and expanded its contract with the Department of Defense. However, the company failed to reach its $15 million revenue goal in 2001, but, revenue was up 70% in 2000. Ai Metrix plans to become profitable in 2003. The company lost about 7 employees due to layoffs and attrition and now employs about 63 people.