Stephen Batten
Berwyn
Summary
Operator and venture builder with a track record of launching and commercializing SaaS platforms from concept to scaled revenue. Led AI‑powered venture Predian from $0 to $5M ARR and through acquisition by CDK Global. Earlier helped pivot SpinCar (now Impel) to a SaaS platform that grew recurring revenue from ~$200K to $5M+. Experienced leading ventures from hypothesis → MVP → pilot → commercialization across product, engineering, and go‑to‑market teams.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Revenue Officer
Redline Automotive Merchandising
01.2025 - Current
- Recruited to establish and launch marketplace venture within legacy services organization
- Designed and launched AutoTurn marketplace platform
- Took platform from concept to live transactions in under six months
- Activated 650+ dealer supply network to generate early marketplace liquidity
- Developed pricing model, buyer persona, and go-to-market strategy to drive marketplace success
- Delivered first live transactions and validated marketplace demand through early pilot customers
Senior Director of Sales, Inventory Management
CDK Global
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Retained as highest-ranking commercial leader post-Predian acquisition to guide strategic direction
- Led integration of Predian into CDK’s enterprise SaaS ecosystem
- Reported to CRO and coordinated across product, engineering, and operations teams
- Participated in cross-functional leadership reviews and operational planning
- Acted as subject matter expert for AI-driven inventory platform, influencing product development and positioning
Chief Revenue Officer
Predian
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Scaled revenue from $0 → $5M ARR in approximately 14 months
- Established a high-performing 8-person revenue team to drive sales growth
- Created enterprise sales model targeting $50K–$100K ACV
- Engineered go-to-market strategy and commercialization plan from inception
- Conducted early customer discovery and validated venture with dealership partners
- Supported acquisition diligence and revenue narrative during sale to CDK Global
- Helped transition the venture into CDK’s enterprise SaaS platform post-acquisition
Vice President, Product Strategy
Redline Automotive Merchandising
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Identified market opportunity, defining venture hypothesis that guided development strategy
- Collaborated with engineering leadership to design product architecture and roadmap aligning with market needs
- Developed customer validation and pilot programs with dealer partners to test product viability and gather feedback
- Co-led incubation and early development of Predian
VP Business Development (Employee #4)
SpinCar (now Impel)
01.2014 - 01.2018
- Scaled recurring revenue from approximately $200K → $5M+
- Established strategic partnerships with major dealership groups, enhancing market reach
- Led transition from services revenue model to SaaS subscription platform, driving sustainable growth
- Collaborated with product, sales, and leadership teams to define and align platform roadmap
- The company later raised $130M+ and became the industry market leader
Education
Bachelor’s Degree -
University of Delaware
Newark, DE01-2011
Skills
- Enterprise SaaS Sales
- Go-to-Market strategy
- User Acquisition Strategy
- Early Customer Acquisition
- Product Commercialization
- Venture Creation
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Acquisition integration
- Platform development
- Customer Discovery
Core Capabilities
- Venture Creation
- Customer Discovery
- Product Commercialization
- Go-To-Market Strategy
- Early Customer Acquisition
- Marketplace Platform Development
- Enterprise SaaS Sales
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Post-Acquisition Integration
Websites
Personal Information
Title: Venture Builder | SaaS Operator | Product & GTM Leadership
Earlier Experience
- Experian Data Quality, Account Executive
- Reynolds & Reynolds, Account Manager
Venture Development Highlights
- Predian, AI-powered SaaS platform scaled from $0 → $5M ARR and acquired by CDK Global
- AutoTurn, marketplace venture built inside Redline and launched to live transactions in under six months
- SpinCar / Impel SaaS Pivot, led commercialization strategy transforming services business into SaaS platform
Timeline
Chief Revenue Officer
Redline Automotive Merchandising
01.2025 - Current
Senior Director of Sales, Inventory Management
CDK Global
01.2024 - 01.2025
Chief Revenue Officer
Predian
01.2023 - 01.2024
Vice President, Product Strategy
Redline Automotive Merchandising
01.2021 - 01.2023
VP Business Development (Employee #4)
SpinCar (now Impel)
01.2014 - 01.2018
Bachelor’s Degree -
University of Delaware