What is the specific 'Ask' in the Iris Audio deck?

On Slide 2, the deck explicitly states that the board has agreed to raise a $7M Series A equity round. The funds are designated as growth capital to target three specific sectors: contact centers, AI speech analytics, and specialized communications (aviation, sports, emergency services).

How does Iris Audio prove its technical superiority?

They use the PESQ (Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality) scale. On Slide 2, they show a graph where Iris Clarity achieves a score of 3.47 out of 4.5, while a 'known competitor' scores significantly lower at 1.19. They also emphasize a sub-3% CPU usage, which is critical for enterprise hardware.

Which industries is Iris Audio targeting first?

According to Slide 2 and Slide 4, the initial focus is on three sectors: Call & Contact centers (15 million desks), AI Speech Analytics, and Specialized Communications, which includes high-stakes environments like aviation and emergency services.

Does the deck include a team slide?

Slide 7 focuses on the 'Board & Investors' rather than the full operational team. It highlights heavyweights like Andre Keijsers (Chairman), Toby Brzoznowski (SaaS Growth Specialist), and investors like the Ojjeh family and Charles Dunstone. It lacks a traditional 'Founders' slide with bios.

What evidence of market traction is provided?

Slide 5 is a dedicated client testimonial from Ascensos, a leading UK customer service outsourcer. It confirms the software is active across their global estate in the UK, Romania, and South Africa, resulting in 'smoother call interactions' and 'less repetition.'

Iris Audio Pitch Deck: All 14 Slides + Teardown

See all 14 slides of the Iris Audio pitch deck — a 2024 Series A deck — with a slide-by-slide teardown of what the deck does well and where it falls short.

Iris Audio’s pitch deck is a highly professional, enterprise-focused presentation that prioritizes technical superiority and social proof over typical startup storytelling. Raising $7M in a 2024 Series A, the company leveraged a 'PESQ' benchmark graph to prove its AI outperforms competitors in voice clarity while maintaining a low CPU footprint of less than 3%. The deck excels by naming specific high-value sectors—contact centers, AI speech analytics, and specialized communications—and providing a concrete case study with Ascensos. While it lacks a traditional slide-by-slide financial breakdo…

Key takeaways

The deck explicitly states a target raise of $7M for a Series A equity round on Slide 2.
Technical performance is anchored by a PESQ score of 3.47 out of 4.5, compared to a competitor score of 1.19, as noted on Slide 2.
Iris Clarity claims a low computational overhead with CPU usage as low as 2.9% and zero latency (Slide 2).
The company identifies a massive total addressable market within contact centers, citing 15 million desks worldwide (Slide 2 and 4).
A dedicated case study slide for Ascensos validates the ROI in the BPO sector across the UK, Romania, and South Africa (Slide 5).
The deck highlights a 'SaaS unicorn growth expert' and a 'number one networked call centre executive' as key hires for the US market expansion (Slide 4).
Investor credibility is bolstered by the presence of the Ojjeh family (TAG Group/McLaren) and Charles Dunstone (Carphone Warehouse) on Slide 7.
Media validation is extensive, featuring quotes from the Financial Times and Digital Trends (Slide 6).

Iris Audio: A Technical Deep-Dive into Enterprise AI

Iris Audio Technologies, a London-based startup founded in 2018, raised a $7M Series A in 2024 to scale its AI-driven voice isolation software. The deck is a clinical, data-driven presentation that avoids the 'fluff' often found in seed-stage decks, instead focusing on technical benchmarks, high-tier media validation, and institutional-grade governance. For an enterprise software company, this approach signals maturity and readiness for the 'huge US market' mentioned on Slide 4.

Slide 1-2: The Executive Summary and The Ask

Slide 1 is a simple title slide, but Slide 2 does the heavy lifting usually reserved for a full deck. It functions as a comprehensive Executive Summary. It clearly states the fundraising goal: a $7m series A equity round . This is refreshing honesty in a deck; many founders hide the 'ask' until the final slide or a separate document.

The slide also introduces IRIS Clarity , their flagship product. The technical claims are bold: 'CPU as low as 2.9% and ZERO latency.' For enterprise call centers running legacy hardware, low CPU usage is a deal-breaker or a deal-maker. The slide includes a PESQ (Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality) graph, showing Iris scoring a 3.47 out of 4.5 , while a competitor sits at 1.19. This visual data point immediately establishes a competitive moat based on performance rather than just marketing.

Slide 3: Product Visualization

Slide 3 provides a visual of the software interface. It shows a simple toggle for Microphone and Speaker, emphasizing the 'bi-directional' nature of the tech. This means the software cleans the audio going out (the agent's voice) and the audio coming in (the customer's voice). The imagery of a call center agent reinforces the primary use case. By showing the software running alongside common tools like Google Meet and MacBook Pro hardware, they demonstrate ease of integration.

Slide 4: The Growth Strategy (Company Progress)

Slide 4, titled 'Ready to scale, targeting the huge US market,' breaks the company's status into three pillars: Software, Traction, and Team. Under 'Traction,' they note that contracts are 'already signed and active in all 3 targeted sectors.' This is a crucial proof point for Series A investors who are looking for product-market fit. The mention of hiring a 'Number one networked call centre executive' as VP Global Sales suggests that the $7M will be heavily allocated toward aggressive sales recruitment and US expansion.

Slide 5: The Case Study (Ascensos)

Social proof is vital in BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sales. Slide 5 features Ascensos , a leading UK outsourcer. The slide details the deployment across the UK, Romania, and South Africa. The quote from CEO John Devlin—'what could be better than a solution with proven ability to achieve that'—serves as a powerful endorsement. It moves the conversation from 'what the tech does' to 'how the tech helps a business make money' by reducing repetition and improving agent experience.

Slide 6: Media and Thought Leadership

Slide 6 is a 'logo wall' on steroids. Instead of just showing logos, it includes specific, high-praise quotes. The Financial Times quote—'IRIS is the most remarkable innovation in its genre I’ve come across in 10 years'—is a standout. The slide also highlights a research paper titled 'The role of audio in an increasingly digital world,' positioning the company as a thought leader in the neuroscience of sound, not just a software vendor. This elevates the brand from a utility to a strategic partner.

Slide 7: Board and Investors

The final slide in this set (Slide 7) focuses on governance and backing. This is perhaps the strongest slide for a Series A investor. It lists Andre Keijsers (former CEO of Kempen Capital Management) as Chairman and Toby Brzoznowski (who took LLamasoft to unicorn status) as a SaaS Growth Specialist. The 'Highlight of Investors' section includes the Ojjeh Family (TAG Group/McLaren) and Charles Dunstone (Carphone Warehouse). This level of backing suggests that the company has already passed significant due diligence by some of the UK's most successful business figures.

What Iris Audio Does Exceptionally Well

Technical Benchmarking: By using the PESQ scale (Slide 2), Iris Audio moves away from subjective claims like 'we sound better' to objective, industry-standard metrics. This is essential when selling to CTOs and technical leads at large enterprises.

Sector Specificity: The deck doesn't just say 'we work for everyone.' It identifies three specific high-value targets: 15 million call center desks, AI speech analytics (where clean audio improves transcription accuracy), and specialized comms like aviation. This shows a focused Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy.

Governance as a Feature: Most Series A decks focus on the founders. Iris focuses on the Board. By highlighting a Chairman with deep capital management experience and a Finance Director trained at KPMG, they signal to VCs that the 'boring' parts of the business (compliance, legal, finance) are already institutionalized.

What is Missing from the Iris Audio Deck

Detailed Financials: While the 'ask' is clear ($7M), the deck (as presented) lacks a slide on current ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue), burn rate, or specific projections. For a Series A, investors typically expect to see a 'bridge' showing how the previous seed funding was spent and how the $7M will get them to Series B.

The Founder Story: Curiously, the actual founders are not featured on the 'Board & Investors' slide. While the board is impressive, VCs invest in people. The absence of the CEO/CTO's personal background and 'why' is a notable omission in the narrative flow.

Unit Economics: There is no mention of CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost), LTV (Lifetime Value), or churn rates. While the Ascensos case study is great, investors need to know if the sales model is repeatable and profitable at scale.

Founder's Guide: What to Copy

The 'Bi-Directional' Visual: If your product solves a problem for two parties simultaneously, use a visual like Slide 3 to show how it sits in the middle of the interaction. It clarifies the value proposition instantly.

The 'Progress' Framework: Use the three-column layout from Slide 4 (Software, Traction, Team) to summarize your current state. It’s a clean way to show that you are firing on all cylinders, not just product development.

Leverage Your Board: If you have high-profile investors or advisors, don't just put their logos on a slide. Give them a headshot and a short bio that explains their specific value to the company (e.g., 'focused on sales in the US' or 'expertise in governance'). It makes the company look much larger and more stable than a typical startup.

Frequently asked questions

What is the specific 'Ask' in the Iris Audio deck?: On Slide 2, the deck explicitly states that the board has agreed to raise a $7M Series A equity round. The funds are designated as growth capital to target three specific sectors: contact centers, AI speech analytics, and specialized communications (aviation, sports, emergency services).
How does Iris Audio prove its technical superiority?: They use the PESQ (Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality) scale. On Slide 2, they show a graph where Iris Clarity achieves a score of 3.47 out of 4.5, while a 'known competitor' scores significantly lower at 1.19. They also emphasize a sub-3% CPU usage, which is critical for enterprise hardware.
Which industries is Iris Audio targeting first?: According to Slide 2 and Slide 4, the initial focus is on three sectors: Call & Contact centers (15 million desks), AI Speech Analytics, and Specialized Communications, which includes high-stakes environments like aviation and emergency services.
Does the deck include a team slide?: Slide 7 focuses on the 'Board & Investors' rather than the full operational team. It highlights heavyweights like Andre Keijsers (Chairman), Toby Brzoznowski (SaaS Growth Specialist), and investors like the Ojjeh family and Charles Dunstone. It lacks a traditional 'Founders' slide with bios.
What evidence of market traction is provided?: Slide 5 is a dedicated client testimonial from Ascensos, a leading UK customer service outsourcer. It confirms the software is active across their global estate in the UK, Romania, and South Africa, resulting in 'smoother call interactions' and 'less repetition.'

Cover slide of the Iris Audio pitch deck — Series A 2024 — Iris Audio pitch deck, slide 1 (2024)

Iris Audio pitch deck: the facts

Company: Iris Audio
Year: 2024
Stage: Series A
Slides: 14
Sector: AI, Enterprise software
Deck type: Fundraising
Outcome: $7M raised
Headquarters: London, UK

Iris Audio pitch deck PDF

The full Iris Audio deck is embedded on this page and can be read slide by slide in the browser — no download or account required. Each slide is covered in the breakdown above.

What the IRIS Audio Technologies pitch deck was used for

This deck is IRIS Audio Technologies’ **Series A fundraising presentation** used to secure a **$7M Series A round** led by Puma Private Equity.[1][2][4][9][10][11][14] The company is a London-based AI audio startup whose product IRIS Clarity removes background noise from calls in real time for sectors such as call centers and other enterprise environments.[1][2][4][5][10][14] The round closed in April 2023 (reported as 26 April 2023 by multiple sources), even though some coverage frames it as a 2024-era success.[2][4][9][10][11][13][14] Proceeds were earmarked for global expansion, particularly in North America, and further product and technology development of its AI voice-isolation platform.[2][4][9][13]

Business model: IRIS Audio Technologies develops and sells **AI-powered voice isolation and noise-cancellation software**, primarily offered as a SaaS product (IRIS Clarity) to enterprise customers such as call centers and other organizations needing clearer voice communications.[1][2][4][5][10][14]

Round: Series A[1][2][4][9][10][11][13][14]
Lead investor: Puma Private Equity[1][2][3][4][5][9][10][11][14]
Investors: Puma Private Equity (lead)[1][2][3][4][5][9][10][11][14], TAG Group[1][2][4][5][9], Ojjeh family[1][2][5], Toby Brzoznowski[1][2][4][5][9]
Founded: 2018[10]
Founders: Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe[10]
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom[1][2][4]
Industry: AI-powered enterprise audio / application software[1][2][4][10][11][14]

Year: 2023 (round completion reported around 26 April 2023).[2][4][9][10][11][13][14]

Raising: Series A funding to drive global growth of IRIS Clarity, expand particularly in North America, and fund further product and technology development.[2][4][9][13]

Raised: $7 million (approximately £5.6 million) Series A[1][2][4][9][10][11][13][14]

Total funding: Reported total equity funding in the $9.7M–$10.08M range, depending on source.[7][8][10]

Use of funds as presented: Drive adoption of IRIS Clarity globally, with a focus on North America; support continued product development and AI noise-cancellation technology advancements.[2][4][9][13]

What happened after the IRIS Audio Technologies deck

Following its data-heavy Series A deck, IRIS Audio successfully raised $7M in April 2023 to expand its AI voice isolation product IRIS Clarity, particularly in North America, and has continued to evolve its technology and market positioning in the enterprise audio space.[1][2][4][9][10][12]

Completion of a **$7M Series A funding round in April 2023**, led by Puma Private Equity, with participation from existi
Expanded focus on **global and North American growth** for IRIS Clarity following the Series A raise.[2][4][9][13]
Subsequent investor communications and company materials referencing **embedded hardware and dual-use capabilities**, al

What the IRIS Audio Technologies deck got right

Evidence-backed, data-heavy storytelling. The deck is described as **data-heavy**, using metrics like PESQ scores and operational KPIs to substantiate claims about IRIS Clarity’s ability to remove background noise and improve call quality, which aligns well with investor expectations for evidence-based AI pitches.[1][3][6]
Strong problem–solution fit in a visible pain point market. IRIS Audio presents a **clear and painful problem**—noisy call-center and enterprise calls—paired with a focused solution (real-time voice isolation), creating a straightforward narrative from problem to product to ROI.[1][2][3][4][5][10][14]
Clear linkage from technology performance to customer KPIs. The deck and surrounding communications highlight **measurable impact** (e.g., reductions in Average Handling Time, noise complaints, and sound-proofing costs) which allows investors to connect technology performance directly to financial and operational outcomes.[1][3]
Compelling verticalization story with room for expansion. IRIS Audio leverages **specific verticals such as call centers and aviation** to showcase applicability of its AI voice isolation across specialized enterprise environments, suggesting room for expansion beyond the initial beachhead.[1][4][5][6][14]
Well-validated round structure with clear lead investor. The round is clearly framed as a **$7M Series A led by a named institutional investor (Puma Private Equity)**, with explicit mention of supporting existing investors, which signals strong validation and governance to other prospective investors.[1][2][3][4][5][9][10][11][14]
Blend of technical maturity and contemporary AI positioning. IRIS Audio’s narrative combines **several years of product development (since 2018) with a modern AI positioning**, suggesting both technical maturity and relevance to current AI investment themes.[1][2][4][5][10][13][14]

What could have been stronger

Heavy reliance on technical performance metrics without visible third-party validation. External descriptions of the deck and pitch emphasize **technical PESQ scores and AI performance claims**, but public materials do not clearly show standardized, independently validated benchmarks or head-to-head comparisons versus incumbent solutions, which may make it harder for some investors to assess differentiation beyond marketing metrics.[1][6]
Sector breadth may outpace visible traction depth. Coverage of the deck highlights sector examples such as **call centers and aviation**, but public information focuses much more heavily on call centers and generic enterprise use; this suggests the deck may have introduced niche sectors without equal depth of customer proof or traction, potentially diluting focus.[1][4][5][6]
Limited visibility on quantified go-to-market and scaling economics. While the Series A is positioned around global and especially North American expansion, externally available descriptions of the deck do not show detailed go-to-market plans or unit economics (sales efficiency, CAC/LTV) for that expansion, which could leave investors with open questions about scaling efficiency even though the strategic direction is clear.[1][2][4][6]
Financial performance and profitability path not prominently surfaced externally. The deck is described as data-heavy, but external narratives emphasize product capabilities and market opportunity more than concrete historical financials (revenue, margins, burn), suggesting that **financial performance and path to profitability may have been less prominent or at least not widely communicated**, which can be a gap for late seed/Series A investors.[1][2][4][5][6][11]

How an investor would read this deck

What draws attention

Clear articulation of a **large and painful problem**: noisy calls and poor voice quality in call centers and other enterprise communications, with direct links to customer satisfaction and operational KPIs.[1][2][4][5][10][14]
Compelling **AI technology story** around real-time voice isolation, PESQ-based quality metrics, and measurable operational improvements such as lower Average Handling Time and reduced noise-related complaints.[1][2][3][4][6]
Evidence of **early traction and use cases in call centers**, a segment with high volumes and clear ROI, providing a credible beachhead market.[1][2][3][4][5][10]
A focused funding narrative: $7M Series A led by Puma Private Equity, with clear use of proceeds for North American expansion and continued product development.[2][4][9][13]
Founding team with relevant audio/technology background and several years of development since 2018, suggesting technical depth and persistence.[1][2][4][5][10]

Risks that stand out

The **competitive landscape in AI audio and noise cancellation is crowded**, and large platforms can integrate similar capabilities, which may pressure pricing or limit differentiation over time.[4][5][10][14]
Scaling into North America and other global markets requires substantial **sales and partnership execution**, and the data-heavy, technical nature of the product may demand sophisticated customer success to realize claimed KPI improvements.[2][4][9][13]
Lack of widely published financial data (revenues, profitability trajectory) increases **uncertainty around business performance and capital efficiency**, particularly important at Series A.[10][11]
Dependence on call-center and enterprise communications segments exposes IRIS Audio to **macro cycles in customer service investment** and potential budget cuts in downturns, which could slow adoption despite strong product value.[4][5][13]

Questions this deck invites

What are IRIS Audio’s **current revenue levels, growth rate, and customer concentration**, particularly within call centers versus other sectors? (Not detailed in public deck coverage.)[1][2][4][5][11]
How does IRIS Clarity’s **AI performance compare quantitatively to alternative noise-cancellation and voice-isolation solutions**, based on standardized, third-party benchmarks rather than internal PESQ scoring?
What are the **unit economics** of the go-to-market motion in North America (CAC, payback period, churn, expansion revenue) and how have initial pilots or deployments performed relative to those assumptions?
How defensible is IRIS Audio’s position in terms of **patents, proprietary models, and data advantages**, and what is the risk of large incumbents (e.g., contact-center platforms or major collaboration tools) building similar capabilities n
What is the roadmap for expanding beyond software into **embedded hardware or dual-use applications**, and how will that impact capital requirements and margin structure? (Later materials mention embedded hardware and dual-use focus.)[12]

What founders can take from the IRIS Audio Technologies deck

A **data-heavy deck** that ties technical metrics (e.g., PESQ scores, AI performance) directly to business KPIs such as Average Handling Time and complaint rates can resonate with investors when the problem is operational and quantifiable.[1][3][6]
Anchoring a Series A story on a **clear beachhead market** (call centers) while referencing adjacent sectors (e.g., aviation) shows scale potential but highlights the importance of demonstrating deep traction in at least one core segment.[1][4][5][6]
Positioning the round with a single **clear lead investor** and naming participating existing backers provides investors with confidence in governance and validation from previous capital providers.[1][2][3][4][5][9][10][11][14]
Using a deck to show **real-time product impact** (noise removal, clarity improvement) and pairing qualitative benefits with quantified outcomes (e.g., up to 11% AHT reduction, 98% fewer noise complaints) creates a strong bridge from technology to ROI.[1][3]
Emphasizing a **specific geographic expansion plan** (North America) and aligning use of funds accordingly illustrates strategic focus and helps investors see how capital translates into growth.[2][4][9][13]
Keeping the deck compact (14 slides) yet data-rich, as described in external coverage, demonstrates that **concise but evidence-backed storytelling** can be effective for an AI enterprise Series A raise.[1][6]

IRIS Audio Technologies pitch deck: common questions

What does IRIS Audio do?

IRIS Audio Technologies is a London-based audio technology company that develops **AI-powered voice isolation and noise cancellation software** to remove background noise from calls and improve audio clarity, with its flagship product branded as IRIS Clarity.[1][2][4][5][10][14]

How much did IRIS Audio raise in its Series A and who led the round?

IRIS Audio raised **$7 million (approximately £5.6 million) in a Series A round completed in April 2023**, led by Puma Private Equity, with participation from existing investors including the Ojjeh family, TAG Group, and Toby Brzoznowski.[1][2][3][4][5][9][10][11][14]

What was IRIS Audio planning to use the Series A funds for?

The Series A funding is being used to **drive adoption of IRIS Clarity globally, especially in North America, and to support further product development and technology improvements** of its AI noise-cancellation and voice-isolation platform.[2][4][9][13]

Who founded IRIS Audio and when?

IRIS Audio was **founded in 2018 by Jacobi Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe** and operates from London, serving enterprise markets such as call centers and other sectors that require high-quality voice communications.[1][4][10][13]

What impact does IRIS Clarity claim to have for call centers and enterprise customers?

According to company communications and investor materials, IRIS Clarity’s AI voice isolation can **remove disruptive background noises in real time**, shortening Average Handling Time by up to 11%, cutting sound-proofing costs by more than 50%, and eliminating noise-related complaints by up to 98% in call-center settings.[1][3]