AUTODOC SE, Europe's leading online retailer of automotive spare parts and accessories, announced the successful completion of its share purchase from Apollo-managed funds, marking the end of a transformative partnership. The transaction, funded by a EUR 530 million Term Loan B placed in July 2026, allows co-founders Alexej Erdle, Max Wegner, and Vitalij Kungel to indirectly hold 100% of Autodoc SE again through their investment vehicle, AutoTech GmbH & Co. KG.
The partnership with Apollo Funds began in April 2024 when Apollo acquired a minority stake at an equity valuation of EUR 2.3 billion, the first time the company was co-owned by external investors. Designed as a time-limited and purpose-driven collaboration, Apollo provided strategic guidance to help AUTODOC access institutional capital markets and prepare for a potential future IPO. These objectives were achieved in quick succession, leaving AUTODOC well-positioned for any future capital market options. With the transaction complete, Apollo's two representatives on AUTODOC's 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 the support was instrumental in making 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. Zadorojnii added that AUTODOC moves forward as a highly focused market leader, fully prepared to leverage its independent position and deliver exceptional value to B2C and B2B customers across Europe. The company will continue to rely on its digital nature and adopt AI and other forefront technologies to enhance customer experience.
CFO Lennart Schmidt emphasized the capital markets readiness achieved through the partnership. "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. The first-time tapping of institutional debt markets marks another step in professionalising the company and preparing for future endeavours, including a potential IPO when the timing is right.
Jeremy Honeth, Partner, Hybrid Value at Apollo, expressed pride in supporting AUTODOC 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 said, wishing the team success in their next chapter.
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, data-informed decision-making, and an enhanced digital experience. A future IPO remains on the agenda, subject to market conditions. The company, founded in Berlin in 2008, has grown to offer around 7.8 million SKUs from approximately 2,700 brand manufacturers, with online shops in 27 European countries and over 5,500 employees across 13 locations. In 2025, AUTODOC generated sales revenue of EUR 1.8 billion.
For more information about AUTODOC, visit autodoc.group. For more about Apollo, visit apollo.com.
