(Updated Sept 24) In a series of transactions that culminate in a “reverse takeover” and private placement of stock, voice biometrics specialist VoiceTrust is undergoing a change in management and receiving a cash infusion. Delrand Resources Ltd is acquiring VoiceTrust (another Ramphastos holding) for  $24 million worth of stock. At the same time, a private placement placement of Delrand stock is expected to raise about $15 million in cash to support VoiceTrust’s operation.

In the process Delrand will divest itself of its existing holdings, making VoiceTrust, which will continue to operate under its existing name, its only operating business unit and an autonomous company specializing in voice biometric-based applications and services. Long-time security industry professional Alan Brousseau (14-year veteran including a stint as EVP at L-1 Identity Solutions) will be Chief Executive Officer of Delrand, and Edward F. Escubedo (also a former L-1 exec) will be Chief Operations Officer.

VoiceTrust will keep its name and use the $15 million infusion to step up product development, marketing and sales efforts, with Roanne Levitt taking charge of Product Management and Amanda Traynor SVP of Sales in North America. Hermann Geupel, Managing Director, is in charge of European Sales and Stefan Schaefer remains in charge of professional services and sales in The Americas.

The move is a very positive signal to the voice biometrics community at large and, among other things, signals heightened interest in the integration of voice biometrics into enterprise security infrastructure as well as customer care contact centers. It may also signal that Canadian companies and government agencies are ready to move forward  with plans to step up both voice-based and multifactor authentication for trusted customer communications, transaction authorization and eGovernment.

Categories: Intelligent Authentication, Articles

Tags: Voice biometrics, authentication, Mergers and Acquisitions, VoiceTrust