Messaging startup Symphony raises $100 mn from Google, others

Messaging startup Symphony Communication Services has raised more than USD 100 million in new round of funding from top American investors like Google, the company said.
The new investors which include Google, Lakestar, Natixis, Societe Generale and UBS, along with a group of existing investors including Silicon Valley venture firm Merus Capital, participated in the latest round of fund raising effort by Symphony which had previously raised USD 66 million from a consortium of 15 leading financial institutions.
"We are making a major leap toward a safer and more productive method of communication for individuals, teams and businesses. We are delighted to have the support of our new and existing investors to enhance our market leadership," said David Gurle, founder and CEO of Symphony which was launched in mid-September.

"$100+ million is more than what we anticipated to raise!" Gurle said yesterday.
"The team at Symphony is revolutionising the way the business world communicates," Co-founder and Managing Director of Merus Capital Salman Ullah said, adding that Symphony has received tremendous interest from every industry with a desire for simple and safe communications.
"Symphony is a game-changer across the industry and we are pleased to support its development and to actively contribute to the creation of the Symphony community," said Olivier Perquel, member of the Senior Management Committee, Financing and Global Markets at Natixis.
The Palo Alto-based company said Symphony will use the new capital to address the high demand it has received in the past few months leading up to its launch and to speed up expansion of its global operations.