With Paxa from the start: Telli's start in Germany and the USA | telli & Paxa

telli, founded in 2024, is a Y Combinator-supported company that develops AI-powered telephone agents for companies. Unlike many other startups, telli relied on external legal support from the outset with the aim of legally securing market entry in Germany and at the same time setting the course for expansion into the USA. In this role, Paxa, represented by Niclas Stemplewski, has been with the company almost from day one.

Commercial Contracts
Employment Law / HR
Compliance
IP
US Expansion

October 22, 2025

About 

telli

telli is an AI-based platform that uses automated telephone agents to efficiently and scalably support companies with customer inquiries, appointment bookings and lead qualification.
image of tech solutions demonstration (for a hr tech)

Company size

~20 employees

Funding

3.6 million pre-seed

Head office

Berlin

Website

https://www.telli.com/de
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Challenge

As a young, internationally oriented company, telli was faced with the task of creating a legal structure that would suit both the German and American markets.

The challenge was to transfer American-style corporate structures to German conditions, particularly with regard to topics such as ESOP management, permanent establishment risks and compliance.

At the same time, the legal framework had to be designed in such a way that the company could grow rapidly and make operational decisions without being slowed down by legal issues.

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“It was crucial for us that Paxa was by our side from day one. Especially with regard to our international structure, we need a partner who understands these challenges and can provide pragmatic support. Paxa did not support us like an external law firm, but like our own legal department, which is actively helping to shape our growth.” - Philipp Baumanns, Co-Founder & COO

Solution

From the outset, Paxa assumed the role of the outsourced legal department and laid the legal basis for entering the German market and scaling internationally:

  • Drafting of employment, partner and customer contracts
  • Establishing and securing brand and IP structures
  • Development of legal bases for the sales team
  • Integration of HR and contract processes for Germany and expansion into the USA
  • Preparing the legal structure for future financing rounds

Especially in the early phase, a lot of detailed work was required with regard to contracts, processes and internal procedures. The company now has clear, scalable structures and can focus on product development and growth.

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Results

With a robust legal basis in the background, telli was able to operate internationally and avoid regulatory risks right from the start.

Today, the team benefits from the fact that all key foundations were laid early on and, in Paxa, has a partner at its side who:

  • implements new requirements at short notice,
  • supported financing rounds and expansions,
  • and legally protects the company without creating unnecessary “legal overhead.”

telli thus has the advantage of combining legal stability and operational agility — a decisive success factor for growing tech companies with an international focus.

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