ElevenLabs Secures Investment from BlackRock, Jamie Foxx, and Eva Longoria Amidst Rapid Growth
ElevenLabs, a leading voice AI company, has recently announced the addition of several high-profile investors to its $500 million Series D funding round. This strategic move underscores the company’s rapid growth and its pivotal role in the voice AI industry.
New Investors Join ElevenLabs
The latest funding round has attracted a diverse group of investors, including:
– Institutional Investors: BlackRock, Wellington, D.E. Shaw, and Schroders.
– Corporate Entities: Nvidia, Salesforce Ventures, Santander, KPN, and Deutsche Telekom.
– Individual Investors: Renowned personalities such as Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, and Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk.
This eclectic mix of investors brings a wealth of experience and resources, positioning ElevenLabs for sustained innovation and market expansion.
Impressive Financial Milestones
ElevenLabs has demonstrated remarkable financial performance:
– Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): The company surpassed $500 million in ARR, a significant increase from nearly $350 million at the end of the previous year.
– Quarterly Growth: In the first quarter of 2026, ElevenLabs added $100 million in net new ARR, concluding the quarter with approximately $450 million in ARR.
– Valuation Surge: The company’s valuation escalated from $6.6 billion in September to $11 billion by February.
These figures reflect ElevenLabs’ robust growth trajectory and its escalating influence in the voice AI sector.
Strategic Partnerships and Enterprise Contracts
ElevenLabs has secured enterprise contracts with prominent companies, including Deutsche Telekom, Revolut, and Klarna. These partnerships highlight the company’s ability to deliver high-quality voice AI solutions across various industries.
Karine Peters, managing director at Deutsche Telekom’s venture arm T.Capital, emphasized the significance of voice in customer interactions, stating, Voice is the highest-stakes channel for any customer interaction, and the bar for quality, latency, and security is extremely high. ElevenLabs is not just a category leader – it is becoming a foundational enabler of Deutsche Telekom’s broader Industrial AI vision.
Commitment to Innovation and Accessibility
Beyond fundraising, ElevenLabs has completed a $100 million tender, the second in approximately six months. CEO Mati Staniszewski announced plans to offer retail investors the opportunity to invest in ElevenLabs through Robinhood Ventures, though specific details are yet to be disclosed.
Staniszewski underscored the importance of developing human-like AI voice models, noting that consumers are unlikely to trust systems that sound robotic or interact unnaturally. To enhance its research capabilities, ElevenLabs recently acquired the team from Polish voice AI startup Papla.
Conclusion
ElevenLabs’ recent funding achievements, strategic partnerships, and commitment to innovation position the company as a leader in the voice AI industry. With the backing of esteemed investors and a clear vision for the future, ElevenLabs is poised to redefine how businesses and consumers interact through voice technology.
