Austria-based startup Kickscale has raised €2.1 million in Seed funding to scale its AI sales intelligence platform across Europe and beyond. Built specifically for European SMEs, Kickscale positions itself as a privacy-first, multilingual alternative to U.S.-dominated sales tools—and it’s quickly gaining traction as the continent’s go-to solution for smarter, secure sales performance.
The funding round was led by aws Gründungsfonds, with participation from Altitude VC, Calm/Storm Ventures, and Carinthian Venture Fund. Existing supporters, including Zalando Lounge’s former CEO Julius Göllner, Bitmovin’s co-founders Stefan Lederer and Christopher Mueller, and social media entrepreneur Michael Kamleitner, also joined the round.
Altitude VC’s Ingo Drexler said their investment was a deliberate step toward building European tech sovereignty. He pointed out that every day European SMEs depend on U.S.-based platforms, they remain vulnerable to shifting political priorities outside their control. Kickscale, he added, offers a powerful homegrown alternative for the region.
AI Sales Intelligence That Understands European Business Culture
Kickscale’s AI platform helps sales teams close more deals by automating note-taking, updating CRM records, and offering multilingual support for calls across different regions. Its AI is trained not just on language, but also on the cultural and operational nuances that define European sales environments—factors often overlooked by U.S. competitors like Gong.
The platform has already won over 100 customers globally, with clients in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and even Japan. Companies such as HILL International, Haufe Group, ApprovalMax, KK Company, and bookingkit are among its growing customer base.
Leaders at these firms consistently cite Kickscale’s ability to bridge the gap between global performance and local compliance. Hans Christian Heinemeyer, Chief Revenue Officer at bookingkit, noted that while U.S. platforms felt out of step with Europe’s relational sales culture, Kickscale offered tools that matched their approach—and respected GDPR requirements.
Kickscale’s performance in Japan highlights its multilingual strength, too. Hisa Machida, Director at KK Company Japan, praised the platform’s accuracy in handling Japanese-language sales interactions, a rare feat among global sales tools.
A Bold Vision Rooted in Local Expertise
Founded in 2020 by Gerald Zankl, Markus Jenul, Fabian Riedlsperger, and Herwig Gangl, Kickscale grew out of Austria’s Carinthia region. The team previously led roles at fast-growing tech companies like Bitmovin and Holo-Light. Early funding came through local business agencies and public support. But a 2024 pivot repositioned Kickscale with a sharp focus on AI-powered revenue intelligence for Europe’s mid-market.
CEO Gerald Zankl says the company’s mission is rooted in one key belief: European businesses deserve digital tools that speak their language—literally and culturally. He argues that Europe’s reliance on American platforms for sales intelligence is not only outdated but also risky in today’s geopolitical climate. Kickscale, he says, is here to change that.
Scaling Across Europe and Asia with AI That Fits
The new funds will fuel Kickscale’s expansion across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Its AI platform goes beyond call analysis. It aligns sales, product, and marketing teams with real-time insights. Field teams can even record and analyse in-person meetings using just a smartphone—making the tool invaluable at trade shows and client visits.
Kickscale also integrates seamlessly with major CRMs and meeting tools, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Microsoft Dynamics, Zoom, and Google Meet. This plug-and-play approach ensures that businesses can upgrade their sales tech without overhauling existing systems.
Looking ahead, Kickscale plans to grow its team and enhance product features to further its edge. As Europe prepares for stricter AI regulation under the EU AI Act, Kickscale’s commitment to transparency, legal compliance, and data privacy puts it ahead of many global players.
More than just a startup, Kickscale is emerging as a symbol of Europe’s digital independence—offering an AI-powered path toward smarter, regionally relevant business tools.
