BERLIN – AUTODOC SE, Europe's leading online retailer of automotive spare parts, announced the successful completion of a share purchase from Apollo Funds, marking the end of a transformative partnership. 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 transaction was funded by a EUR 530 million Term Loan B placed in July 2026.
The partnership with Apollo began in April 2024 when Apollo Funds acquired a minority stake at an equity valuation of EUR 2.3 billion. This was the first time the company was co-owned by outsiders. The collaboration was designed to be time-limited and purpose-driven: Apollo provided strategic guidance to help AUTODOC access institutional capital markets and prepare for a potential future IPO. These objectives were achieved, leaving AUTODOC well-positioned for future capital market options. With the transaction complete, Apollo's two representatives on the Supervisory Board have stepped down, and the board now consists of the three founders and three independent members.
In a joint statement, the founders said, "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 expressed gratitude to the Apollo team for their trust and expertise over the past two years.
CEO Dmitri Zadorojnii highlighted that Apollo's contribution went beyond capital, helping to sharpen internal processes, strengthen corporate governance, and build a scalable platform. "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," he said. The company's strategic direction remains unchanged, with a focus on digital innovation and AI adoption to enhance customer experience.
CFO Lennart Schmidt noted that Apollo brought world-class capital markets expertise, transforming financial reporting and professionalizing processes. "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," he said.
Jeremy Honeth, Partner at Apollo, stated, "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."
Looking ahead, AUTODOC remains dedicated to becoming Europe's leading technology ecosystem for the automotive aftermarket, leveraging AI and data-informed decision-making. A future IPO remains on the agenda, subject to market conditions. The company, founded in Berlin in 2008, operates in 27 European countries, employs over 5,500 people, and reported sales revenue of EUR 1.8 billion in 2025. For more details, visit Apollo's website or the original press release on NewMediaWire.
