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SunRocket Raises $25 Million to Fuel Surging Consumer VoIP BusinessVIENNA, VA – September 22, 2005 – SunRocket, one of the nation’s fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, today announced that it has secured $25 million in its second round of institutional financing. Mayfield Fund led the round, joined by DCM – Doll Capital Management and existing investors BlueRun Ventures and Anthem Capital Management. To date, SunRocket has raised $34 million in venture financing. “SunRocket has the perfect combination of talent and technology to capitalize on the enormous growth and disruptive power of Internet-enabled communications,” said Janice Roberts, Mayfield Fund managing director, who joins the SunRocket board of directors. “We are investing in a unique team with a proven track record of creating breakout brands embraced by millions of consumers.” “SunRocket is poised to explode as a household name in a category that is transforming consumer telecom, and we couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the opportunity,” said Dixon Doll, co-founder and managing general partner of DCM, who was also appointed to SunRocket’s board of directors. Less than a year after its introduction, SunRocket has emerged as the second fastest growing independent provider of residential Internet phone service, which allows consumers to replace traditional phone lines by sending calls through their home broadband connection. Harnessing breakthrough VoIP technologies, SunRocket’s highly-scaleable network and infrastructure enable the company to offer exceptional value and innovative features, now available to over two-thirds of U.S. broadband households. “SunRocket is thriving in the face of larger, established competitors, a testament to the market potential for Internet phone service as well as SunRocket’s business model, outstanding leadership team and success to date,” said Kevin Bennis, president and CEO of SunRocket. “This funding allows SunRocket to expand service coverage, accelerate sales activity, ramp up support in all areas to meet future growth and introduce new innovations into the market.” This round of financing includes a trio of prestigious Silicon Valley venture firms with proven track records for building technology leaders, each with $1 billion or more under management and based in Menlo Park, California. Since 1969, Mayfield Fund has invested over $2.3 billion in more than 460 high-growth technology companies, and taken over 100 public. BlueRun Ventures, who led SunRocket’s initial funding round and remains the leading investor, invests in best of breed teams with the drive and ability to build leading global companies. DCM is a top-performing venture capital firm with over $1 billion under management supporting entrepreneurs building early-stage technology companies around the globe. Joining the Silicon Valley trio is first-round investor Anthem Capital Management, a Baltimore-based fund with over $100 million under management that invests in early-stage technology companies in the Mid-Atlantic region. “We are thrilled to have top-tier investors that will help SunRocket reshape the consumer communications landscape,” said Paul Erickson, SunRocket chairman and co-founder. “We set out to capitalize on the Internet to build a better phone company, taking a fresh approach to deliver to customers an honest and compelling value in a complete and easy package, and SunRocket’s momentum shows we’ve found a combination that resonates with consumers and investors alike.” All about Don't forget to submit your entry for the "PhoneDog Days of Summer" Giveaway! Win one of over 30 of the hottest new cell phones - no registration, no spam! Just PhoneDog sharing some goodies with our visitors & loyal fans! Thanks and keep the comments coming! SunRocket’s demise, cautionary tale for VoIP usersAs of August 5, SunRocket, the Vienna, Virginia based VoIP company ceased operations and discontinued service to its estimated 206,000 customers. While it was at one time the second largest stand-alone VoIP company after Vonage, SunRocket could not compete with cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner that are now servicing two-thirds of all residential VoIP customers. Unfortunately, it appears that their service might not be all that some...SunRocket Breaks Through 200,000 Subscriber MilestoneVIENNA, VA - April 2, 2007 - SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, today announced it has eclipsed 200,000 residential subscribers - a testament to the rising strength of the category and the firm's determination to redefine what is possible when it comes to enhancing home-centric communications. The company has also launched or expanded service in several key markets over the past few weeks, bringing...SunRocket Teams with Hallmark Insights to Launch New Member Referral ProgramVIENNA, VA - March 15, 2007 -SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, once again redefines what is possible when it comes to enhancing the customer experience by announcing that our popular RocketRewardsSM referral program has been significantly expanded to offer customers a choice in gift cards and certificates from more than 350 retailers, restaurants, travel and entertainment providers. To view the full...SunRocket and American Telecom Services Bundle Certified DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone with VoIP ServiceVIENNA, Va., and CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif.-March 6, 2007-SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, and American Telecom Services, Inc. (AMEX: TES), a leading provider of converged communications solutions, today announced the launch of a fully certified DECT 6.0 cordless multi-handset Internet phone powered by SunRocket. The E6501S DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) phone-which includes ATS'...SunRocket Names Lisa Hook President and Chief Executive OfficerVIENNA, VA - March 15, 2006 - SunRocket, one of the nation's fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, announced today that Lisa Hook has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. "Lisa Hook is an outstanding choice to lead SunRocket's emergence as a household brand in Internet communications. We are very excited to welcome her as President and Chief Executive Officer," said Paul Erickson, SunRocket Chairman and...SunRocket offers three free monthsSunRocket, known as one of the nation's fastest-growing internet phone service providers, is giving customers 15 months of service for the price of 12 months. Those new customers who sign up for SunRocket's $199/year all-inclusive annual plan before March 20, 2006 can benefit from the special. SunRocket's $199/year VoIP calling plan offers unlimited calling to the U.S., Cananda, and Puerto Rico. A one time payment of $199... |
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