AUTODOC SE, Europe's leading online retailer of automotive spare parts and accessories, announced the successful completion of its share purchase from Apollo Funds, marking the end of a strategic partnership that significantly advanced the company's governance and market readiness. The transaction, closed on August 19, 2026, sees co-founders Alexej Erdle, Max Wegner, and Vitalij Kungel indirectly hold 100% of Autodoc SE through their investment vehicle, AutoTech GmbH & Co. KG.
The partnership began in April 2024 when Apollo Funds acquired a minority stake at an equity valuation of EUR 2.3 billion, the first time the company was owned by external investors. The collaboration was designed to be time-limited and purpose-driven, with Apollo providing strategic guidance to prepare AUTODOC for institutional capital markets and a potential future IPO. These objectives were achieved rapidly, leaving AUTODOC well-positioned for any future capital market options. The purchase was funded by a EUR 530 million Term Loan B, which was placed in July 2026.
With the transaction complete, 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. The founders expressed 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 left 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 noted that AUTODOC remains a highly focused market leader, ready to leverage its independent position for B2C and B2B customers across Europe. Zadorojnii emphasized that the company's strategic direction is unchanged, with continued adoption of AI and forefront technologies to enhance customer experience.
Lennart Schmidt, CFO, credited Apollo with bringing world-class capital markets expertise, transforming financial reporting, professionalizing processes, and facilitating the company's debut on institutional credit markets. He stated, "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."
Jeremy Honeth, Partner at Apollo's Hybrid Value franchise, reflected on the partnership: "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 committed to its long-term ambition of becoming Europe's leading technology ecosystem for the automotive aftermarket, combining AI-driven capabilities and data-informed decision-making. A future IPO remains on the agenda, subject to market conditions. The company operates online shops in 27 European countries, employs over 5,500 people across 13 locations, and in 2025 generated sales revenue of EUR 1.8 billion, up from EUR 1.6 billion in 2024. Its product assortment includes around 7.8 million SKUs from approximately 2,700 brand manufacturers.
Apollo, a global alternative asset manager with approximately $1.05 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2026, has concluded its involvement with AUTODOC. The successful partnership underscores the value of strategic institutional investment in preparing companies for public markets. AUTODOC's full ownership by its founders signals a new chapter of independence and strategic focus, with the company poised to capitalize on market opportunities in the European automotive aftermarket.
