ITEXPO Start Up Camp: During Tough Times, Fonolo Entrepreneur Finds Opportunity

IP communications and other IT entrepreneurial hopefuls will state their case for investment dollars at ITEXPO’s (News - Alert) inaugural Startup Camp being held at the Miami Beach Convention Center on Thursday evening.

 

Startup Camp Telephony was born from the desire to grow the exposure – and ultimately commercial successes – of the many dynamic young businesses being created today in mobile, voice, video, network and other emerging forms of telephony. According to ITEXPO officials, Startup Camp Telephony aims to bring together early stage companies, investors and on-lookers alike to share information and validate pitches in real time.

Five startups will be selected to present five-minute pitches presentations, followed by a panel of industry experts and audience members who will ask questions and provide feedback.

 

In an interview with TMCnet on Wednesday, Fonolo’s Shai Berger (News - Alert), one of four hopefuls who will address the panel on Thursday, explained that the call center industry still has the room and need for a service that will help clear the so-called “logjam” that has contributed to an inefficient calling process.

 

“Every year, American consumers spend close to 300 billion minutes on the phone talking to a call center agent. And most of those minutes, they despise. The process is unpleasant for them, and costly to companies. Fonolo’s (News - Alert) cloud-based, ‘over-the-top’ approach finally clears the logjam that has kept that process frustrating and inefficient.”

 

Fonolo allows companies to improve the calling experience for their customers without making any changes to their existing phone system, Berger contends.

 

“How does it work? First, Fonolo automatically captures the content and structure of a company's phone menu. Second, the company adds our intelligent calling features to its Web site or mobile application. The result? Callers can: 1) Get to the right agent without dealing with a phone menu; 2) Request a call back when the next agent is free; and 3) Provide post-call feedback to company,” Berger explained.

 

Although many entrepreneurs’ efforts have been discouraged or delayed by the current economy, Berger sees newfound opportunity.

 

“We see the current economic environment as an opportunity for us. Many companies are looking for ways to improve the caller experience. But the kind of capital requirements normally required for call center improvements are off the table,” Berger said. “Our unique approach, which works without any changes to the existing equipment, is a great fit.

 

Try a live demo at http://business.fonolo.com.