New HTGF FinTech investment troy revolutionizes the debt collection process and combines machine learning with friendliness

The FinTech company troy is changing the traditional debt collection industry by introducing marketing and CRM methods into the collection process. The start-up with sites in Lippstadt (NRW) and Hamburg aimes to preserve the precious relationship between client and customer, while successfully recovering the receivables. troy’s founders, Philip Rürup and Till Völzke, optimize customer experiences during the collection phase and apply multichannel communications, data and AI-driven targeting and decades of debt collection expertise. The mission: troy becoming the most customer-friendly debt collection company in Europe.

The two founders and managing directors of troy, Philip Rürup and Till Völzke, founded their FinTech in 2017. First clients from the energy supply, publishing and multichannel trade sectors are already using troy’s new debt collection service. In May 2018 troy concluded a seven-figure financing round and convinced several investors, including High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), 3E Capital Group and several business angels from the FinTech world. With the launch in August 2018, the company will be open to the public.

About half of consumers are in default of payment due to forgetfulness or short-term bottlenecks. Despite that, traditional debt collection treats these customers as if they have not paid intentionally. The process is impersonal, bureaucratic and unpleasant. It is obvious that as a result, companies usually lose their customers. troy changes this and continues to treat the customer as a customer. Tried and tested methods of multichannel CRM, targeting approaches and machine learning drive the new approach. troy addresses each customer via the most promising mix of communication channels and with individually adjusted messages. High transparency, multiple payment methods and friendly communication add to the “troy way”. This allows for high recovery rates of both receivables and customer relationships.

“It is particularly pleasing that the individualized, friendly communication and flexible processes also have a positive effect on the recovery rate. This strengthens our mission to become the most customer-friendly debt collection company in Europe” adds Till Völzke.

The Investors
Among the lead investors of troy are HTGF, the experienced series founder Hans-Jürgen Even with his Founder Catalyst 3E Capital Group as well as business angels from the FinTech world, including Tamaz Georgadze, Frank Freund and Michael Stephan (all Raisin / Weltsparen), Gamal Moukabary and Andreas Bermig (both Bonify).

About troy
troy is a FinTech that specializes in customer-friendly, digital debt collection. The startup optimizes the customer experience in debt collection and thus maintains the customer relationship. troy uses tools and methods from marketing and CRM and combines them with data and machine learning. troy was founded in 2017 by Philip Rürup and Till Völzke in Lippstadt and currently has locations in Lippstadt and Hamburg. First clients come from the energy supply, publishing and multichannel trade sectors. Lead investors include the public-private partnership HTGF, High-Tech Gründerfonds, in which the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy also has a stake, the 3E Capital Group and Business Angels from the FinTech world including Tamaz Georgadze, Frank Freund and Michael Stephan (all Raisin / Weltsparen), Gamal Moukabary and Andreas Bermig (both Bonify).

Contact
troy GmbH
Philip Rürup, Founder and Managing Director
E: philip@troy-bleiben.de
T: +49 172 16 00 437
www.troy-bleiben.de
Twitter @troy_inkasso

Press contact
Weller Media
Susanne Weller
E: s.weller@weller-media.com
T: +49 172 308 41 36

About HTGF
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With € 892.5 million in total investment volume across three funds (€ 272 million in HTGF I, € 304 million in HTGF II and € 316.5 million for HTGF III) and an international partner network, HTGF has already backed up 500 start-ups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and start-up experts help guiding the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups across a range of sectors, including software, media, internet, hardware, automation, healthcare, chemicals and life sciences. Up to now, external investors have invested over € 1,8 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,300 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully exited shares of more than 90 companies.

Investors in this public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry For Economic Affairs and Energy, the KfW Banking Group, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V., as well as the companies  LTANA, BASF, BAYER, B.Braun, Boehringer Ingelheim, Robert Bosch, BÜFA, CEWE, Deutsche Post DHL, Dräger, Drillisch AG, EVONIK, EWE AG, Haniel, Hettich, Knauf, Körber, LANXESS, media + more venture Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, PHOENIX CONTACT, Postbank, QIAGEN, RWE Generation SE, SAP, Schufa, Schwarz Gruppe, STIHL, Thüga, Vector Informatik, WACKER and Wilh. Werhahn KG.
www.high-tech-gruenderfonds.de/en

Contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds
Jens Baumgärtner
Schlegelstraße 2
53113 Bonn
T: +49 228 82300138
j.baumgaertner@htgf.de
www.htgf.de