AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 25, 2003–Zilliant, a leader in strategic profit and revenue optimization (PRO) software, today announced that it has secured $14.5 million in new funding. Thisfinancing includes significant investments from new investor JP Morgan Partners, as well as from the company’s existing investors – Austin Ventures, Trellis Partners and ABS Ventures, the venturecapital arm of Deutsche Bank AG. JP Morgan Partners will gain a seat on Zilliant’s board of directors.
“An investment of this magnitude is rare in today’s economy and clearly validates the growth potential of profit and revenue optimization and Zilliant’s leadership,” said Greg Peters, CEO of Zilliant. “The bottom line is that Zilliant’s solution is helping companies improve profitability and deliver solid returns to their shareholders and investors. We are thrilled that JP Morgan Partners and our other investors share in our firm belief that PRO is one of the most compelling business propositions in the market today.”
Zilliant’s profit and revenue optimization solution couples a highly-tuned pricing data mart with analysis of price elasticity and the buying habits of customers when faced with different price levels. Zilliant’s software provides companies with specific data on when, where and how pricing can be leveraged to drive profitability. Zilliant’s clients typically experience profit margin growth of more than 10% within months of implementing the company’s software.
“Zilliant continues to secure significant sales successes with well-recognized customers by quickly providing return on investment and helping to dramatically increase profits,” said Cornell “Buck” French, general partner at JP Morgan Partners. “Beyond its enormous potential in a rapidly growing sector, Zilliant’s innovative technology, its focus on real results and the company’s industry-leading management team were extremely attractive to JP Morgan Partners. We are looking forward to a very productive and profitable relationship.”
“Zilliant’s $14.5 million in financing places it among the top enterprise software investments in 2003, a clear testament to the strength of the company and the untapped potential of profit and revenue optimization,” said John Thornton, general partner at Austin Ventures.
About Zilliant
Zilliant, a leader in strategic profit and revenue optimization, provides software and services that aid companies in defining and managing their pricing for improved financial results. By utilizing the Zilliant suite of applications, companies are able to maximize revenue and margins through optimized segmentation, precision price setting, effective discount guidelines, and successful price promotions. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Zilliant is a privately held company. Investors include JP Morgan Partners, GE Equity, Austin Ventures, Trellis Partners and ABS Ventures. Zilliant is a registered trademark of Zilliant, Inc. For more information contact the company toll free at 877.893.1085.
About JP Morgan Partners
JP Morgan Partners (JPMP) is a global partnership with over $30 billion in total capital under management. It is a leading provider of private equity and has closed over 1,800 individual transactions since its inception in 1984. JPMP has more than 150 investment professionals in nine offices throughout the world. JP Morgan Partners’ primary limited partner is J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), one of the largest financial institutions in the United States.
About Austin Ventures
Austin Ventures has been working with talented entrepreneurs to build valuable companies since 1979. With $2.4 billion under management, AV is the most active venture capital firm in Texas, and one of the most established in the nation. With a focus on enterprise software, computer and communications hardware, and business services, Austin Ventures invests at all stages of company development, from $100,000 “planned experiments” to $50+ million investments in management buyouts.
About Trellis Partners
Trellis Partners is a team of Texas-based, venture capital professionals whose focus is on helping build leading technology companies through early-stage investment. Working in true partnership with our portfolio companies to provide strategic vision and support, rather than just financial resources, is fundamental to our philosophy.
About ABS Ventures
ABS Ventures is the venture capital arm of Deutsche Bank AG, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. ABS Ventures focuses on early-stage and emerging growth businesses in communications, software, Internet infrastructure and healthcare services and devices.
