BERLIN, GERMANY - AUTODOC SE, Europe's leading online retailer of automotive spare parts and accessories, announced the successful completion of the share purchase from funds managed by Apollo, concluding a transformative partnership that began in April 2024. With this transaction, 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 was designed to be time-limited and purpose-driven, with the goal of preparing AUTODOC for institutional capital markets and a potential future IPO. Apollo's minority investment at a EUR 2.3 billion equity valuation marked the first time the company was co-owned by external investors. During the collaboration, Apollo provided strategic guidance that significantly improved governance, reporting, and operational scalability, positioning AUTODOC for success in the public markets.
The transaction was funded by a EUR 530 million Term Loan B, which was placed in July 2026, marking AUTODOC's debut in the institutional debt markets. This move demonstrates the company's readiness for future capital market endeavors. With the completion of the share purchase, the two Apollo representatives on AUTODOC's Supervisory Board have stepped down, leaving the board composed of the three founders and three independent members.
The founders expressed their gratitude and pride in regaining full ownership, stating, "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." They also thanked Apollo for their trust and expertise, which were instrumental in strengthening the company.
CEO Dmitri Zadorojnii highlighted the broader impact of the partnership: "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 emphasized that AUTODOC remains focused on its strategic direction and is prepared to leverage its independent position to deliver value to B2C and B2B customers across Europe, with continued adoption of AI and other forefront technologies.
CFO Lennart Schmidt noted the transformation in financial reporting and capital market readiness, saying, "Apollo brought world-class capital markets expertise to AUTODOC 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." The successful debt issuance marks a significant step toward a potential IPO when market conditions are favorable.
Apollo's Partner, Jeremy Honeth, reflected on the collaboration: "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 expressed confidence in the company's future 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 general market conditions.
This development underscores AUTODOC's evolution into a leaner, more focused company, fully prepared for future capital market options. The successful conclusion of the partnership with Apollo marks a significant milestone in the company's history, positioning it for continued growth and innovation in the European automotive parts market.
