Conversation intelligence startup Balto raises $10 million Series A funding to help sales reps close the deal

Balto, a Saint Louis, MO-based tech startup that uses artificial intelligence to analyze phone calls in real-time at contact centers while the call is still happening, today announced it has secured $10 million Series A funding to extend the reach of its real-time call guidance solution through a dramatic increase in product functionality and tripling its go-to-market team. The round was led by Sierra Ventures and joined by Jump Capital, OCA Ventures, Cultivation Capital, and others.

Founded in 2017 by Chris Kontes and Marc Bernstein, Balto helps sales, service, and accounts receivable reps win as much revenue as possible from every phone call. Sales, service, and accounts receivable teams use Balto’s artificial intelligence software to analyze phone calls in real-time – live while the call is still happening – and instantly provides reps recommendations on how to communicate as effectively as possible before it’s too late.

Balto automatically guides reps to use the communication strategies managers wish they would implement on every call – the strategies that consistently produce revenue and prevent expensive compliance mistakes. Its software is used by companies, such as eHealth, Empire Today, and National General Insurance.

“Balto is bringing the most aggressive real-time call guidance solution to market at a time when sales and customer experience agents and managers are working remotely and need even greater support,” said Marc Bernstein, Balto’s CEO, and founder. “Unlike other conversation intelligence solutions available today that provide only post-call analytics, Balto uses AI to guide customer conversations on-the-fly, helping agents say the right thing, at the right time. As a result, call centers see a substantial increase in conversion rates, more quickly ramp new agents, and improve customer experiences.”

Balto bridges the gap between post-call data analytics and action with its real-time guidance solution that offers both scalable, in-the-moment coaching for agents and a holistic view that helps managers understand which tactics work and which do not. Balto’s Real-Time Coaching for agents listens to both sides of a conversation and visually prompts them to say the right thing at the right time, enabling agents to execute on best practices at scale.