Koll: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Koll is an innovative telecommunications startup that has developed a revolutionary phone app aiming to transform how millions of people identify and manage phone calls. Founded in 2023 and based in Salo, Finland, Koll provides a transparent calling solution where users can always know who is calling and why. This technology addresses the growing global problem of spam calls, scams, and unidentified numbers that often go unanswered. With the app, both individuals and businesses can benefit from enhanced trust and efficiency in voice communication. As you explore Koll, discover how this app is poised to reshape calling by making every phone conversation verifiable and secure.

1. Origin and Vision of Koll

Koll was founded in 2023 by CEO Hannu Nissinen and co-founder Pekko Mettälä with a mission to overhaul traditional phone calling systems. Originating from Finland, the company seeks to eliminate the frustration caused by unknown and spam calls. Their vision is bold: to replace anonymous calls with "Kolls," trusted calls where both parties know each other's identity and the purpose of the call. The ambition is to create an era of transparency in telecommunication where phone calls are no longer wary events but secure, purpose-driven interactions.

2. How Koll Works to Verify Calls

Unlike apps that rely on crowdsourced or third-party databases, Koll shifts the responsibility to the caller. Businesses and individuals must verify their identity before calling through Koll’s platform. Upon verification, the recipient sees the caller's name and the reason for the call on their screen. Even if the recipient hasn't installed the app, the call details appear instantly via SMS. This verification process prevents scams and promotes accountability by ensuring callers provide authentic information about their identity and call intent.

3. Tackling the Global Spam Call Epidemic

Every day, over 500 million unwanted, unidentified, or spam calls are made worldwide, leading many to avoid answering unknown numbers altogether. Koll aims to reverse this trend by assuring users only receive calls that are verified and intentional. By making callers responsible, the app protects users from scams, telemarketing harassment, and fraud, increasing the likelihood of important business or personal calls being answered. This helps companies improve customer engagement and supports safer communication for users everywhere.

4. Target Users: Individuals and Enterprises

Koll serves both private users and businesses. For individuals, the app enhances call management by displaying trusted caller details, helping them distinguish important calls from spam or unknown contacts. For enterprises, Koll offers a subscription service that verifies company phone numbers, improving call answer rates and fostering trust in interactions with customers, recruitment candidates, and clients. By preventing fraudulent calls, businesses maintain brand integrity while customers gain a frictionless experience.

5. Technology and Security Features

Koll’s service operates through secure data centers within the European Union, ensuring end-to-end encryption of calls for privacy and compliance with EU regulations. The robust backend infrastructure supports continuous verification and instant caller identification without compromising personal data security. Importantly, all Koll users are thoroughly identified and can only call with their true identity, which significantly reduces spam and fraudulent calls within the network.

6. Successful Early Adoption and Growth

Since its soft launch in September 2024, Koll has organically gained approximately 5,000 users without any marketing expenses. Shortly after opening its enterprise sales channel, over 40 companies signed up to use Koll’s verification service, showcasing strong initial market traction. This quick uptake reflects a growing demand for reliable call identification solutions and a readiness to move away from traditional calling methods plagued by anonymity and misuse.

7. Funding and Expansion Plans

Backed by a €400,000 seed investment from Helsinki-based venture capital firm Superhero Capital, Koll is preparing a late-seed funding round in the range of €1.5 to €2 million. The funds will accelerate the company's global expansion, targeting new markets across Europe, South America, and Asia. Additionally, Koll plans to integrate its verification technology directly into major customer relationship management (CRM) platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot to facilitate seamless enterprise adoption.

8. The Ambitious Goal: One Billion Users

Koll aspires to serve one billion users worldwide, a moonshot that underscores its belief in the universal need for trust in phone calls. Given the rising volume of spam and scam calls, widespread adoption of Koll’s service could drastically reduce these problems globally. With a scalable model that requires minimal user effort (no app installation needed for recipients), Koll aims not just to enhance phone communication but to set a new global standard for verified calling.

9. User Experience: What to Expect

Users of the Koll app receive transparent call notifications showing who is calling and why, instilling confidence in answering the phone. Those unfamiliar with the app still get instant SMS notifications with verified caller information, ensuring no one is left guessing. The app also offers users the ability to manage call responses efficiently, deciding which calls to take immediately, return later, or ignore. This design improves daily communication quality and reduces disruptions from irrelevant calls.

10. Koll’s Role in the Future of Telecommunications

Koll’s approach heralds a fundamental shift in telecommunication by moving from anonymous to accountable calling. As phone spam surges worldwide, solutions like Koll become essential tools to preserve effective communication. The company advocates a new terminology where "calls" transform into "Kolls," symbolizing secure and trusted interactions. With international scaling underway and enterprise collaborations progressing, Koll is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping a future where calling is straightforward, secure, and respected by all parties.

Conclusion

Koll is pioneering a new frontier in telecommunications by transforming phone calls into trusted interactions where identity and purpose are visible and verifiable. Addressing the pervasive problem of spam and scam calls, it brings peace of mind to individuals and efficiency to enterprises. Backed by strong early adoption and significant venture funding, Koll’s vision of serving a billion users worldwide appears attainable. As the app spreads beyond Finland into global markets, it challenges us to rethink how we communicate via phone, asking whether we can finally say goodbye to the era of unknown and unwanted calls.