Stef Traa is Co-Founder of Droppie, a Dutch circular economy startup transforming consumer recycling through AI-powered drop-off stores and a rewards-based mobile app across the Netherlands.

Stef studied International Business and Management at Avans University of Applied Sciences and built his commercial career as Business Development Manager at Meatless Farm and as part of the Strategy and Growth team at Redefine Meat, where he launched markets and built commercial teams across Europe.

Inspired by daily frustration with urban littering in Amsterdam West, Stef co-founded Droppie with Natascha Hermsen to make recycling accessible, rewarding, and profitable for consumers and producers alike.

Prior to Droppie, Stef gained startup experience at Forward Incubator and Growth Tribe Academy, giving him a strong foundation in growth strategy, market entry, and consumer behavior before launching his own venture.

In under two years, Droppie scaled to over 13 locations across Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, surpassed 50,000 active users, and raised 4.2 million euros in growth capital with ambitions to reach 70 locations by 2027.