Fundraising Fox

Stella Automotive AI

Tampa, US · Founded 2022 · Delaware corporation

STELLA Automotive AI provides industry-specific AI for car dealerships, handling customer interactions across voice, text, and chat to automate engagement and support dealership teams. Founded in 2022, it integrates with major dealer systems and serves dealerships across North America.

Founders & leadership

Stella Automotive AI was founded in 2022 by Sidney Haider.

SHSidney Haider
Sidney HaiderFounder
RS
Richard SandsExecutive
RJ
Robert John HaeffnerExecutive
JB
Josselyn BoudettNamed on SEC filing
RSRich Sands
Rich SandsChief Executive Officer
BHBob Haeffner
Bob HaeffnerChief Financial Officer & Vice President, Operations
SBStephen Brown
Stephen BrownChief AI Officer
FSFred Seidelman
Fred SeidelmanChief Technology Officer

Board

BCBrodie Cobb
Brodie CobbBoard director
SDSteve Derby
Steve DerbyBoard director
WKWilliam Knowles
William KnowlesBoard director
DCDarin Clay
Darin ClayBoard director

Reported raises · per SEC filings

Form D private placements

$26M disclosed across 2 rounds · 2023–2026

$22MraisedJun 2026 · 29 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • William KnowlesDirector
  • Brodie CobbDirector
  • Steve DerbyDirector
  • Sidney HaiderDirector
  • Richard SandsExecutive Officer
  • Robert John HaeffnerExecutive Officer
  • Darin ClayDirector
Offering amount
$26M
Amount sold
$22M
Sales commissions
$209.9K
Placement agents
Presidio Merchant Partners LLC
First sale
Jun 2026
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2022
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
$4MraisedJun 2023 · 12 investors · Other Technology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Josselyn BoudettExecutive Officer, Director, Promoter
Offering amount
$4M
Amount sold
$4M
Sales commissions
$280K
Placement agents
Brodie Cobb
First sale
May 2023
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2022
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Competitors · 10

by search overlap
Podium27 shared keywordsPodium provides an AI-powered customer engagement platform that automates appointment booking and lead conversion for local businesses across multiple industries, enabling 24/7 customer response and higher conversion rates.
fullpath19 shared keywordsFullpath offers a Customer Data Platform and CRM for car dealerships, unifying fragmented data sources into a single shopper identity and running AI-driven marketing automation, follow-up, and analytics. Its platform serves automotive dealerships with data integration, marketing engines, and AI agents that qualify leads and book appointments.
Mia18 shared keywordsMia builds AI tools to modernize automotive dealership sales and operations and improve the consumer buying experience. Founded in 2023, it targets car dealerships in the US automotive retail industry.
Capital One16 shared keywordsCapital One is a financial services company that offers credit cards, checking and savings accounts, auto financing, and business banking products to consumers and small businesses. The company provides digital banking tools, rewards programs, and credit monitoring services.
AutoAlert16 shared keywordsAutoAlert provides an AI-enabled data and marketing platform for car dealerships, including a CRM that identifies in-market and upgrade-ready customers, prioritizes high-intent buyers, and turns service traffic into sales opportunities. Now part of PureCars, it focuses on customer retention, targeted campaigns, and automated engagement for the automotive retail industry.
spincar16 shared keywordsImpel builds an AI Operating System for automotive retailers that unifies customer interactions across merchandising, sales, service, and repurchase. The platform serves automotive dealers and OEMs globally to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.
Numa15 shared keywordsNuma builds AI for car dealership operations, focused on automating and managing dealership communication. It serves automotive dealerships with an AI system for handling customer conversations.
Toma14 shared keywordsToma builds AI software that automates customer interactions for automotive dealerships, helping recover lost sales revenue.
Cox Automotive12 shared keywordsCox Automotive is an automotive services provider that unites twelve brands—including Autotrader, Manheim, Dealertrack, vAuto, VinSolutions, and NextGear Capital—offering solutions for wholesale vehicle buying and selling, dealership management, digital marketing, inventory management, financing, vehicle transport, and EV battery support. It serves dealerships, fleets, and other participants across the vehicle lifecycle.
Spyne12 shared keywordsSpyne provides an AI-powered platform that helps car dealers source, list, market, and sell vehicles. The platform serves automotive dealers looking to streamline their digital operations and brand management.

Companies competing with Stella Automotive AI for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.

In the news

Frequently asked questions

What does Stella Automotive AI do?
STELLA Automotive AI provides industry-specific AI for car dealerships, handling customer interactions across voice, text, and chat to automate engagement and support dealership teams. Founded in 2022, it integrates with major dealer systems and serves dealerships across North America.
Who founded Stella Automotive AI?
Stella Automotive AI was founded by Sidney Haider in 2022.
How much funding has Stella Automotive AI raised?
Stella Automotive AI has disclosed $26M raised across 2 rounds.
Where is Stella Automotive AI headquartered?
Stella Automotive AI is headquartered in Tampa, US.