In a significant corporate development, AUTODOC SE, Europe's leading online retailer of automotive spare parts, has announced the successful completion of its share purchase from Apollo-managed funds, marking the end of a strategic partnership that began in April 2024. The transaction, funded by a EUR 530 million Term Loan B placed in July 2026, has returned full ownership of the company to its three co-founders: Alexej Erdle, Max Wegner, and Vitalij Kungel. They now indirectly hold 100% of Autodoc SE through their investment vehicle, AutoTech GmbH & Co. KG.
The partnership with Apollo Funds, which acquired a minority stake at an equity valuation of EUR 2.3 billion in 2024, was designed from the outset to be time-limited and purpose-driven. The collaboration aimed to provide strategic guidance to help AUTODOC access institutional capital markets and prepare for a potential future IPO. These objectives were achieved in quick succession, leaving the company well-positioned for any future capital market options. With the transaction closed, the two Apollo representatives on AUTODOC's Supervisory Board have stepped down, and the board now consists of the three founders and three independent members.
This move underscores AUTODOC's readiness for future financial endeavors. The company's leadership emphasized that the partnership with Apollo delivered significant progress on governance, reporting, and operational scalability. Dmitri Zadorojnii, CEO of AUTODOC, stated, "Apollo's contribution went well beyond capital. Together, we have significantly sharpened our internal processes, strengthened our corporate governance and built a stronger, more scalable platform." He added that AUTODOC is now a "highly focused market leader, fully prepared to leverage our independent position and deliver exceptional value to our B2C and B2B customers across Europe."
The successful completion of this transaction has profound implications for AUTODOC and the broader automotive e-commerce industry. By regaining full ownership, the founders have reaffirmed their long-term commitment to the company's future, free from external equity partners. This independence allows AUTODOC to pursue its strategic vision without the constraints of minority investors, potentially accelerating its growth and innovation. The company remains dedicated to becoming Europe's leading technology ecosystem for the automotive aftermarket, incorporating AI-driven capabilities and data-informed decision-making to enhance the digital experience for consumers and professional partners alike.
Financially, AUTODOC's debut on the institutional debt markets with the Term Loan B marks a critical step in professionalizing the company. CFO Lennart Schmidt noted, "Transforming our financial reporting, professionalising our processes, building capital market readiness and debuting on the institutional credit markets have facilitated a seamless transition to our new capital structure." This move positions AUTODOC for future capital market activities, including a potential IPO when market conditions are favorable. The company's robust financial performance, with sales revenue of EUR 1.8 billion in 2025 (up from EUR 1.6 billion in 2024), underscores its strength and market leadership.
The conclusion of the Apollo partnership also highlights the benefits of strategic institutional investment for companies seeking to scale and professionalize. Apollo's expertise in capital markets and corporate governance helped AUTODOC achieve a level of readiness that would have been challenging to attain independently. As Jeremy Honeth, Partner at Apollo, remarked, "AUTODOC has cemented its position as Europe’s leading digital platform for automotive parts and has demonstrated clear readiness for the capital markets." This successful collaboration serves as a model for other companies considering similar partnerships to prepare for public listings or debt financing.
For the automotive parts industry, AUTODOC's strengthened position could lead to increased competition and innovation, benefiting consumers across Europe. With a product assortment of around 7.8 million SKUs from approximately 2,700 brands and operations in 27 European countries, AUTODOC is well-equipped to leverage its digital nature and adopt forefront technologies to enhance customer experience. The company's commitment to excellence and its focus on AI and data-driven strategies will likely set new standards in the online retail of automotive parts.
Looking ahead, AUTODOC's founders expressed pride in regaining full ownership, stating, "Regaining full ownership is a proud and deeply meaningful moment for us - one that reaffirms our long-term commitment to the company’s future." As AUTODOC enters its next chapter as a leaner, more focused company, it is fully prepared for future capital markets and poised to capture multiple market opportunities. The company's journey from a bootstrapped startup to Europe's leading automotive parts retailer with a clear path to potential IPO is a testament to the resilience and strategic vision of its founders and management team.
