Beside
Category: Voice / Speech AI
AI-powered voice receptionist for small businesses that answers calls, remembers customer details, books appointments, and handles follow-ups through an app connected to existing phone numbers Beside was founded in 2023. The company is led by Maxime Germain. Based in Paris, France. Team size: 30. Total funding raised: $32M total (all rounds). Latest round: Series A ($20M, November 2025). Key investors include EQT Ventures (Series A lead), Index Ventures, Stewart Butterfield (Slack founder).
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Team size
- 30
- Total funding
- $32M total (all rounds)
Value proposition
Provides an affordable, scalable AI solution to handle customer calls, reducing operational costs and improving response efficiency, like hiring a Harvard-grad Chief of Staff with perfect memory
Products and solutions
AI receptionist, Call management dashboard, Customizable voice automation tools, iOS and macOS apps, Android app
Unique value
Focuses specifically on small businesses with an AI receptionist solution, emphasizing ease of integration and affordability for the real economy rather than enterprise clients
Target customer
Small businesses, particularly those with high phone call volumes (e.g., service providers, retail, local consultants), 100M Americans in phone-reliant jobs
Industries served
Business communication, Customer service, Small business technology, Real economy businesses
Technology advantage
Leverages CEO's consumer tech experience and team expertise from companies like X (Twitter), Snap, and Jour to create intuitive voice interfaces that evolve from smart receptionist to chief of staff
How they differentiate
Beside focuses specifically on small businesses with an AI receptionist solution, emphasizing ease of integration and affordability for the real economy rather than enterprise clients
Main competitors
ElevenLabs, PolyAI, Vapi
Key partnerships
EQT Ventures, Index Ventures, Potential integrations with small business platforms
Notable customers
20,000+ small businesses, 600+ companies using the platform
Major milestones
Stealth launch in 2023 as 'M1', Raised $32M Series A in November 2025, Achieved 20,000+ customers, Reached $4M ARR, Launched iOS and macOS apps, Expanded to Android
Growth metrics
$4 million ARR with 20,000+ paying customers, handling millions of calls per month, launched from stealth in November 2025
Market positioning
Positioned as a niche player in the small business AI receptionist space, targeting the 100M Americans in phone-reliant jobs with consumer-tech-oriented product design
Geographic focus
Primarily targeting the U.S. market with Paris-based headquarters, 30 employees split between Paris and United States
Patents and IP
No publicly disclosed patents at this time
About Maxime Germain
Serial entrepreneur with consumer tech background. Founded Jour (mental health app) in 2019, acquired by Alan for $20M in 2021. Previously co-founded Gertrude and Artlist (acquired by Artnet). Background in engineering, design, and growth. Has invested in multiple startups including Opal, Amo, Dust, Jumbo (exit), Waldo (exit), Giftshop, and Rise Science.
Official website: https://www.beside.com