BERLIN, GERMANY - Autodoc SE, Europe's leading online retailer of automotive spare parts and accessories, has announced the successful completion of the share purchase from Apollo’s managed funds associated with its Hybrid Value franchise (the “Apollo Funds”), which had led a minority investment alongside leading institutional investors. With this transaction closed, the three co-founders of AUTODOC - Alexej Erdle, Max Wegner and Vitalij Kungel - again indirectly hold 100% of Autodoc SE through their investment vehicle, AutoTech GmbH & Co. KG.
The share purchase, funded by the placement of a Term Loan B of EUR 530 million as announced in July 2026, marks the conclusion of a successful partnership. In April 2024, Apollo Funds acquired a minority stake in AUTODOC at an equity valuation of EUR 2.3 billion, marking the first time the company was co-owned by someone other than the founders. The collaboration was designed from the beginning to be time-limited and purpose-driven: as an institutional partner, Apollo provided strategic guidance to help set AUTODOC on a successful path to access institutional capital markets and prepare for a potential future IPO. These objectives were jointly achieved in quick succession, leaving AUTODOC well positioned for any future capital market options. With the transaction completed, the two Apollo representatives on AUTODOC's Supervisory Board have stepped down, departing with the company’s sincere gratitude for their invaluable counsel. The Supervisory Board now consists of the three founders and three independent members.
The strategic partnership made AUTODOC ready for debt and equity capital markets. "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. "We are sincerely grateful to the Apollo team for their trust, invaluable expertise and close partnership over the past two years. Their support has been instrumental in our development, leaving AUTODOC stronger, more robust and well-positioned for the years ahead."
"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," said Dmitri Zadorojnii, CEO of AUTODOC. "We now move forward as a highly focused market leader, fully prepared to leverage our independent position and deliver exceptional value to our B2C and B2B customers across Europe. AUTODOC doesn’t change its strategic direction and is ready to capture multiple market opportunities that we clearly see in front of us. We will fully rely on our digital nature and will continue to adopt and apply the power of AI and many other forefront technologies to bring our products and customers’ experience to the edge of excellence."
"Apollo brought world-class capital markets expertise to AUTODOC at a crucial time," said Lennart Schmidt, CFO of AUTODOC. "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. It was a pleasure working with the Apollo team and getting their strategic guidance. AUTODOC tapping the institutional debt markets for the first time marks another important step in further professionalising the company and making us ready for future endeavours, including a potential IPO when the timing is right."
"It has been a privilege to partner with AUTODOC's founders and management team during this transformative period," said Jeremy Honeth, Partner, Hybrid Value at Apollo. "AUTODOC has cemented its position as Europe’s leading digital platform for automotive parts and has demonstrated clear readiness for the capital markets. We are proud to have supported the company in reaching this point and wish the entire team every 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 for both consumers and professional partners. A future IPO remains on the company's agenda, subject to general market conditions. The company's readiness for capital markets, demonstrated by its recent debt issuance and the successful completion of the Apollo partnership, positions it well for any future financial endeavors.
This development underscores AUTODOC's resilience and strategic focus, as it continues to grow its digital platform and expand its market presence. The return to full founder ownership provides the company with greater flexibility and independence, enabling it to pursue its growth objectives without external equity pressure. For the automotive aftermarket industry, AUTODOC's strengthened position signals continued innovation and competition, potentially benefiting consumers and businesses across Europe.
