BERLIN – Autodoc SE, Europe's leading online retailer of automotive spare parts and accessories, announced today the successful completion of the share purchase from Apollo Funds, bringing the company back under full founder control. The transaction, funded by a €530 million Term Loan B placed in July 2026, marks the end of a two-year partnership that saw Apollo take a minority stake and help prepare AUTODOC for institutional capital markets.
The three co-founders, Alexej Erdle, Max Wegner, and Vitalij Kungel, now indirectly hold 100% of Autodoc SE through their investment vehicle, AutoTech GmbH & Co. KG. The partnership with Apollo, which began in April 2024 at an equity valuation of €2.3 billion, was designed to be time-limited and purpose-driven. Apollo provided strategic guidance to help AUTODOC achieve capital market readiness and position for a potential future IPO. These objectives were met, and with the transaction closed, Apollo's representatives on the Supervisory Board have stepped down, leaving the board composed of the three founders and three independent members.
"We have grown AUTODOC from a bootstrapped start-up into Europe’s leading automotive parts retailer by making car repair accessible to everyone. Regaining full ownership is a proud and deeply meaningful moment for us - one that reaffirms our long-term commitment to the company’s future," said the founders in a joint statement. They expressed gratitude to the Apollo team for their trust and expertise, noting that their support was instrumental in leaving AUTODOC stronger and more robust.
Dmitri Zadorojnii, CEO of AUTODOC, highlighted that Apollo's contribution went beyond capital. "Together, we have significantly sharpened our internal processes, strengthened our corporate governance and built a stronger, more scalable platform," he said. He added that AUTODOC now moves forward as a focused market leader, fully prepared to leverage its independent position and deliver exceptional value to B2C and B2B customers across Europe. Zadorojnii emphasized that the company's strategic direction remains unchanged, and it will continue to adopt AI and other forefront technologies to enhance products and customer experiences.
CFO Lennart Schmidt noted that Apollo brought world-class capital markets expertise at a crucial time. "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," he said. He added that tapping the institutional debt markets for the first time marks another important step in professionalising the company and making it ready for future endeavours, including a potential IPO when the timing is right.
Jeremy Honeth, Partner in Apollo's Hybrid Value franchise, said, "It has been a privilege to partner with AUTODOC's founders and management team during this transformative period. AUTODOC has cemented its position as Europe’s leading digital platform for automotive parts and has demonstrated clear readiness for the capital markets." He wished the team success as they enter their next chapter of growth.
Looking ahead, AUTODOC remains dedicated to its long-term ambition of becoming Europe's leading technology ecosystem for the automotive aftermarket, combining AI-driven capabilities, data-informed decision-making, and an enhanced digital experience. A future IPO remains on the agenda, subject to market conditions.
The completion of this partnership is significant for the industry as it demonstrates how strategic institutional partnerships can prepare companies for capital markets while allowing founders to retain control. For AUTODOC, this move provides flexibility and independence to pursue growth opportunities, including potential acquisitions or an IPO when favorable. The company's strong financial performance, with sales revenue of €1.8 billion in 2025 (up from €1.6 billion in 2024), and its extensive product range of 7.8 million SKUs from around 2,700 brands, position it well for future expansion.
For business leaders, this news underscores the value of time-limited partnerships that bring expertise and governance improvements, ultimately strengthening a company's market position. AUTODOC's journey from a bootstrapped startup to a capital-market-ready leader offers a blueprint for other companies considering similar strategic alliances.
