Stefan Bader
Stefan Bader | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Known for |
|
Notable work | Parkpocket, Cello |
| Awards | Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe (2019) |
| Website | cello |
Stefan Bader is a German entrepreneur and technology executive. He is the co-founder and CEO of Cello, a Munich-based SaaS platform focused on user-led growth through referral-based marketing for B2B software companies.[1] Bader is also known for co-founding Parkpocket,[2] a smart parking startup acquired by Continental AG in 2017. He was recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in 2019 in the Manufacturing & Industry category.[3]
Career
Early Ventures
Bader began his entrepreneurial career as a co-founder of Parkpocket, a German smart parking startup. The company was acquired by automotive supplier Continental AG in 2017,[4][5] where Bader led digital initiatives related to urban mobility.
Cello
In 2022, Bader co-founded Cello, a SaaS company that enables B2B software firms to scale customer acquisition through user and partner referrals.[6] Cello positions itself as a “user-led growth” platform, and under Bader’s leadership, the company has raised multiple funding rounds including a €2.3 million pre-seed round in 2022 and a $3.5 million seed round in 2023 led by HV Capital.[7]
Bader’s approach to user-led growth has been featured in media outlets such as Business Insider, where he stated: “Peer recommendations and word-of-mouth have quietly become the de facto way new software is discovered.” In recognition of its innovative approach, Cello was selected as one of three "startups to watch" at the OMR Startup Pitch, where Bader presented on the Yellow Stage at the OMR Festival—one of Europe’s leading digital marketing events.[8]
Industry Influence
Bader has been recognized as a thought leader in Europe’s startup ecosystem. In a 2023 Sifted article, he offered advice to jobseekers on how to evaluate startups, emphasizing financial transparency and sustainable business models. In another Sifted feature, he was quoted on the Munich tech scene, highlighting its rapid development as a European hub.
In 2024, Bader launched the annual GTM10 Awards in partnership with Lightspeed Venture Partners, a program to recognize the best global go-to-market leaders in the SaaS industry, further underscoring his growing influence in B2B software.[9]
Leadership and Media
Bader is a vocal advocate of user-led growth and has shared his insights through various media appearances. On The StartUp to ScaleUp Game Plan podcast (2024), he discussed Cello’s founding story, referral models, and building a remote-first company.[10] In ARRtist on AIR (2022), he explained how Cello fits within broader SaaS growth strategies.[11] Bader also appeared on Startup Insider[12] and Wayra Germany’s What’s In Store Show, sharing his journey from founding Parkpocket to launching Cello and scaling teams effectively.[13] His work has been covered by outlets like Sifted, and Cello has been featured in startup podcasts such as Tour de Lehman.[14]
Recognition
- Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe (2019) – Listed in the Manufacturing & Industry category for his work with Parkpocket and Continental AG
References
- ↑ "Joining a startup in 2023". Sifted. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Smart Parking Made by German Startups". Last Mile. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Stefan Bader – Forbes Profile". Forbes. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Continental übernimmt Münchner Start-up Parkpocket". Handelsblatt (in Deutsch). Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Continental drives off with Parkpocket". PitchBook. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Could Bavaria finally become the California of Europe?". Sifted. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Cello German User-Referral Startup Raises Pre-Empted $3.5 Million". Business Insider. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Stefan Bader – Interview". YouTube. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Cello and Lightspeed Announce the GTM10 Awards". Business Wire. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "From Pain Points to Product: Stefan Bader's Journey in Revolutionizing B2B Referrals". AlpinaSearch Podcast. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "User-Led Growth mit Stefan Bader von Cello". Arrtist Podcast (in Deutsch). Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Plattform Cello erhält Millionen für usergesteuertes Wachstum von SaaS-Unternehmen". Startup Insider Podcast (in Deutsch). Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Founded 2 companies, sold the first one". LinkedIn. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "Explosives Empfehlungsmarketing ermöglicht durch Cello". Startup Insider Podcast (in Deutsch). Retrieved 13 May 2025.