In a deal of undisclosed size, Bellevue-based Spoken Communications today announced its acquisition of Seattle’s HyperQuality.
These two companies should know each other very well.
Not only do they share the same venture capital backer — Ignition Partners — but Spoken CEO Howard Lee previously founded HyperQuality. Both companies develop software used in customer support centers, making it easier for companies to compile data on the calls and emails flowing through customer support professionals.
“This acquisition enables Spoken not only to further our vision of improving the customer experience for our clients but also expands our reach into important new markets,” said Lee in a statement.
Spoken, which uses speech recognition technologies to automate processes in call centers, raised $11.5 million in funding last year. The company was formed in 2005 with technology from Wingcast, a wireless and vehicle-monitoring joint venture that Ford Motor Co. and Qualcomm shut down in 2002.
HyperQuality raised its first round of cash in 2005, and a year later closed a $10 million round from Ignition, Miramar Venture Partners, Rustic Canyon and Divergent Ventures.
As a result of the deal, HyperQuality’s Seattle office, including most of the staffers, will join Spoken’s Bellevue office. Mike Mattsen, former chief operating officer at HyperQuality, will serve as president of the new HyperQuality unit under Spoken.
