Company case study
Cerrado
Cerrado is a leading DJ software company that integrates deeply with hardware used by DJs. It came up on My First Million in the episode "I Ranked the Best & WORST Businesses to Start Before 2026 | Andrew Wilkinson" (aired November 7, 2025). As told on the show: $45 million in revenue with $15 million of EBITDA.
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | I Ranked the Best & WORST Businesses to Start Before 2026 | Andrew Wilkinson |
| Aired | November 7, 2025 |
| Revenue and traction | $45 million in revenue with $15 million of EBITDA. |
| Category | SaaS |
Figures and claims are as told on the episode, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What the episode said
I Ranked the Best & WORST Businesses to Start Before 2026 | Andrew Wilkinson · aired November 7, 2025 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
By partnering with hardware manufacturers, Cerrado has become the standard software for DJs, leading to high customer retention.
Founding story
Created by two individuals in New Zealand, the software has been dominant for 20-25 years.
The playbook
Developing critical partnerships with hardware manufacturers to ensure deep integration and high switching costs for customers.
Also mentioned
The company is transitioning from a licensing model to a SaaS model.
Why this works now (our analysis)
Most DJs prefer software that integrates seamlessly with their hardware. Cerrado capitalizes on this preference by forming partnerships with leading hardware manufacturers, ensuring its software becomes an industry standard. In its early days, Cerrado targeted niche forums like DJTechTools to connect with potential users and gain traction. A significant risk for Cerrado is its reliance on hardware partners; any disruption in these relationships could hinder its market position and growth.