French VCs toast Vox Mobili

Vox Mobili, a French company that specialises in software for mobile devices, has been acquired by Indian telecoms company OnMobile.

The deal represents an exit for a host of French VCs which have invested in the firm since it was founded in 2000 by two entrepreneurs, Eric Viellevigne and Nicolas Frattaroli. Iris Capital, through its In-Com fund, provided start-up funding in 1999, and returned in a second round in late 2000 alongside Azeo Ventures, Société Générale Capital Partenaires and Société Générale Asset Management. Subsequent funding rounds saw XAnge, Alven Capital and Innovacom invest in the Paris-headquartered business.

The company now has around 45 employees, with operations in Europe, North America, Middle East, Australia, and Eastern Europe. Vox Mobili speciality is producing software for mobile address books and providing software enabling cellphone users to backup all their personal data including calendar and contacts onto a secure network-based server. It also produces Web 2.0 related software that allows cellphone users to publish photographs and videos direct from their phones to the internet.

Managing director and co-founder of Vox Mobili Eric Viellevigne, said: “Mobile backup and services around personal data are expected to experience tremendous growth over the next years. We are very excited to expand our presence in this exciting marketplace with OnMobile. We’re confident that the combined strengths, services expertise, and talent of our companies will deliver a great experience for users, service providers and mobile operators.”