Indian Angel Network Continues to Foster British Startups; Announces Investment in UK based Disrutive Voip Service Provider- Aznog

Indian Angel Network (IAN), the world’s largest business angel group, has made an undisclosed investment announcement in UK-based Aznog (formerly known as CalLiberate), a VoIP service provider. Aznog mobile app, which allows its users to make unlimited free phone calls directly to mobile & landline numbers worldwide without any credits or subscriptions package. Alok Agarwal, Harsh Hada & Vishal Khare from the IAN network have led this round of investment and Alok Agarwal & Harsh Hada joined the board of the company.

Indian Angel Network continues to leverage its strong global presence with their UK investment chapter launched last year. IAN being the worlds’ first global angel network had announced its entry last year into the British entrepreneurial ecosystem by investing in startup that created a regional employee bank allowing workers to accept shifts across multiple locations. IAN is the only angel group in the world with operations across multiple cities and countries. IAN has taken a step ahead from the normal, informal, local club structure of angel groups to a larger institutionalized model because of its nimble but robust, standardized & transparent processes that allow it to scale across geographies with a large number of members.

When we say, ‘Just a call Away’ It is so true, on an average we all make 3 calls per day either to our loved ones, friends, local food delivery or anyone on their mobile or landline number. Our first preference is to make direct phone calls rather than Internet app-to-app calls unless it’s a business call/meeting. Billions of people around the world rely on direct phone calls and the companies, providing these services are outright costly and use a traditional 20^th century model.

Aznog allows its users to make unlimited and free calls directly to mobile & landline numbers worldwide without buying any credits or subscription unlike other VoIP companies. Only the caller requires Aznog app and Internet (mobile or wifi) on his/her device while the call recipient gets a normal phone call, which does not require app or Internet to answer and talk. The proposition makes it one of the most innovative solutions in the mobile and telecom space till now, which typically caters student community and young working professionals in the age group of 18-30.

With a vision to become a global next gen 21^st Century telecom operator and a mission to make calling absolutely free, Aznog was originally founded in Nagpur, India in 2012, but relocated itself to London in July this year. The venture is the brainchild of Amogh Meshram and co-founded by Dragos Dinu. While Amogh is an electrical engineer, internet marketer and author, Dragos is a versatile software engineer with vast experience in the telecom domain.

Amogh Meshram, CEO and Founder, Aznog said, “Since the history of mankind, two things have been free: thinking and talking. Someone began thinking about talking and started charging others for it. Now talking is free again! Our app is currently available for download only in Germany and UK, but one can make calls across 20 countries across the globe. In future we are planning to allow our app download in more countries and India will be on top of our priority list. Our mission is to provide unlimited and free calling worldwide. We are looking at close to 1 million users by next year. The journey with IAN has been extremely rewarding Straight from the first call with Mr. Hada till today, we’ve received great support from our Leads and IAN. We’re very proud in having 3 leads from 3 different backgrounds. They are always ready to roll their sleeves in helping us with any and every aspect of the business we need their support on. “

IAN funds will be utilized to scale its infrastructure in order to service more users around the globe and will help bring more talented people in the team.

Mr. Harsh Hada, one of the lead IAN investors members who has also joined the Board said, “UK is known to be home for one of the best revolutions in the startup landscape today. In line with its constant efforts to encourage new age innovation and entrepreneurship across geographies, IAN continues to invest in disruptive technologies in the region. Aznog is undoubtedly a globally scalable product and has definitely created value in the mobile and telecom space by revolutionizing the sector in the countries. It’s changing the way people make calls. The offline modal is what will give it an edge over other companies.”

Comments from Mr. Vishal Khare, one of the lead IAN investor said “We saw immense growth potential in Aznog’s model and this technology can have much wider and far reaching impacts in the way we are functioning today”.

The mobile application is currently available only for Android users. The users of the app do not need to buy credits or subscriptions packages to call direct to mobile numbers and landlines (PSTN / Outbound calls). Moreover, the call receivers do not need the app or internet to answer calls either. The user experience is simple and similar to making a normal call: open the app, select the contact one wants to call from its contacts list, and press the call button. The user can also dial phone numbers directly if needed.

Links to download the app on the Google Play Store and visit www.aznog.com for more information on our technology.

About Aznog

Aznog is a VoIP-Telecom company which aims to become a substitute for mobile carriers. Aznog empowers people to call anyone, anywhere without buying call credits or subscription. It is currently available in the United Kingdom and Germany in form of an Android app which allows you to make unlimited & free, local & International phone calls directly to mobile numbers and landlines without having to pay for calls.

About Indian Angel Network

The ‘Indian Angel Network’ is the world’s largest Business Angel Group, with over 350+ investors from 10 countries, IAN’s presence spans 7 locations, which includes cities in India, and UK and has invested in startups from diverse industries/sectors. The investor group comprises of the ‘who’s who’ of successful entrepreneurs and CEO’s, who not only invest their monies, but also provide valuable inputs on strategy and execution in inventive startups. They also create a platform to access their vast business networks to help these businesses scale and grow. IAN is also the world’s first angel investor group to establish operations outside of its home country, in London.

IAN looks at around 4,000 entrepreneurs each year, invested in 29 ventures in 2014 and has an overall portfolio of 100 odd companies in 16 sectors in 7 countries. IAN portfolio companies have given 70x returns in 6 years, 21x in 30 months, 22x in 60 months and 6x in 15 months; with ventures such as Druva, Stayzilla well on their way to become unicorns. www.indianangelnetwork.com