Sector: Autotech M&A

Autotech & subsectors

  • Enterprise Applications
  • Embedded Software and Systems
  • Internet Commerce and Content
  • Mobility and Fleet Management

Hampleton‘s Autotech practice comprises a strong international team and includes Miro Parizek, Michel Annink, Axel Brill, Henrik Jeberg and Geoff Fletcher. 

With our combined 70+ years in the industry, our team’s experience spans six continents with long-standing buyer relationships in the US, Brazil, the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Italy, Russia, South Korea, China, Australia and Japan, complemented by the industry’s broadest network of innovative vendors of relevant technologies such as autonomy systems, AV simulation, electrification, embedded systems, IVN testing & simulation, sensor fusion technology, vehicle dynamics simulation, as well as AI, AR/VR, data analytics, computer vision, and much more.

Hampleton’s Autotech team has executed dozens of transactions with the largest OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, insurers, data vendors, private equity investors and financial buyers; and led our automotive clients to success with industry leaders such as Ansys, Autodesk, Bosch, IAV, Ford, Luxoft (now part of DXC), Spectris, Zurich Insurance and many more.

Hampleton advised the shareholders of Bright Box, creators of the connected car SaaS platform, Remoto, in the sale of their company to one of the world’s largest insurers, Zurich Insurance Group. Traditional enterprises and industrial conglomerates are a major force in tech M&A. Finding a non-tech buyer for a technology vendor requires in-depth knowledge of the relevant industry and its ecosystem. The Bright Box / Zurich  transaction underscores Hampleton’s understanding, creativity and capabilities in finding the best matches in Autotech, Insurtech and SaaS.

Featured transactions in Autotech M&A

The sale of Simi to ZF Friedrichshafen

Hampleton Partners advised Simi Reality Motion Systems GmbH, a leading developer of fully markerless video-based motion capture and analysis software, on its acquisition by ZF Friedrichshafen, the global automotive supplier and front-runner in developing the next generation of autonomous vehicle technology. This is the second transaction that Hampleton has closed with ZF Friedrichshafen in two months.  

Featured transactions in Autotech M&A

The sale of a majority stake in 2getthere to ZF Friedrichshafen

Hampleton advised 2getthere Holding B.V., a leading manufacturer of driverless electric shuttles for future urban mobility, on its majority acquisition by ZF Friedrichshafen, the global automotive supplier and front-runner in developing the next generation of autonomous vehicle technology. 

The transaction offers ZF Friedrichshafen a world leader in autonomous urban transit and e-mobility solutions, while globally extending 2getthere’s commercial and technology reach.

Featured transactions in Autotech M&A

The sale of VI-grade to Spectris

Hampleton Partners advised VI-grade GmBH, a leading provider of best-in-class turnkey solutions for driving simulation, on its acquisition by Spectris Plc., a supplier of productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls. VI-grade provides simulation software and hardware for advanced vehicle dynamics simulation, including electric and autonomous vehicles, reducing the need for OEMs and T1s to build costly prototypes in early design phase.

The transaction offers Spectris an outstanding opportunity to provide its current and new clients with a complete turnkey simulation including hardware, software and services.

Featured transactions in Autotech M&A

The sale of Bright Box to Zurich Insurance

Hampleton Partners advised Bright Box on its acquisition by the leading multi-line insurer, Zurich Insurance Group. Bright Box is a global vendor of solutions and platforms for the connected car industry and the Connected Car platform from Bright Box is sold to automotive OEMs and dealerships from Europe through the Middle East to Asia.

Technavio announced Bright Box as one of the top five vendors in the Connected Car market from 2017 to 2021. The company is also recognised as one of the top 300 companies in the Internet of Things field according to Berg Insight.

This acquisition helps Zurich expand its focus on mobility through tailored services, enhanced by digital interactions with car drivers and closer collaboration with car dealerships, NSC and OEMs.

Featured transactions in Autotech M&A

The sale of Symtavision to Luxoft

Hampleton Partners advised on the sale of Symtavision, an automotive simulation company, to Luxsoft, an international custom software development company. Symtavision provides software and testing tools allowing T1s and OEMs to simulate load and response times for in-vehicle networks to ensure desired functionality is achieved. This is often a safety-critical task, especially for ADAS components as well as LiDAR/radar/camera signaling for autonomous driving.

This acquisition fits into Luxoft’s solution-based, end-to-end offering strategy and will help the company expand its embedded software expertise into the growing automotive segment.

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Autotech Report 1H2021

The automobile industry was hit hard by the pandemic in the first half of 2020. By the second half of the year, however, things were looking up, and what onlookers had predicted would be a monumental decline turned out to be a more short-term hit.

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"A Beginner's Guide to M&A" | FAQs from Hampleton's Webinars (#9)

Hampleton Partners has provided tech business owners with regular webinar updates regarding M&A prospects in the current climate. In this blogpost, we have compiled questions asked during our UK and Enterprise Software webinars in May 2021 – and their answers.

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Backgorund
“We selected Hampleton because of their strong track record, experience and breadth of relationships in information management and enterprise software – which proved highly valuable to our transaction process.”
Steffi Körner, CEO of FAST LTA
“Hampleton led a structured process and was able to execute a great deal with the optimal partner for us."
Pascal Ruß, CEO of Simi Reality Motion Systems
"Hampleton’s level of experience and, above all, profound understanding of the automotive market, led us to the best possible transaction."
Carel van Helsdingen, Founder & CEO of 2getthere
"Hampleton were creative - they didn't think in one direction, they thought about the whole ecosystem in order to find the right partner for us."
Ken Belotsky, Chairman at Bright Box
"It‘s not only about selling your company but thinking about the next strategic step. In this regard we had very strong support from Hampleton."
Gregor Walter, CEO at pixi*
“It was a pleasure working with Hampleton Partners. From beginning to end, they managed every aspect of the process and brought together the optimal transaction for all our stakeholders while remaining an independent company.”
Ilkka Starck, CEO at Profit Software
“It was incredible working with the Hampleton team while finding a 'new home' for my life’s work. After over four decades building Tonbeller AG, I was able to secure the best partner amongst many interested parties. Hampleton managed every detail of the project and led the auction resulting in signing and closing within seven months. We were very happy with the results which were beyond our highest expectations.”
Rutger Hetzler, CEO at Tonbeller AG
"Hampleton have their heart in it. They know and enjoy what they are doing, and we trusted them wholeheartedly."
Gijs Hubben, CEO at BaseCase
“The Hampleton team never let up and helped us secure the growth financing we were looking for, with an investor from the industry bringing not just money but also know how and market relevant connections. Hampleton thinks strategically, not just financially.”
Dr. Eric Lindner, CEO at FBGS
“I was very impressed with Hampleton’s understanding of the high tech industrial products FBGS produces and their global network which enabled us to find our Munich based co-investor in California.”
Stephan Beier, Senior Investment Manager at bm|t beteiligungsmanagement thüringen
“With X2 Equity we won a new investor that not only supports us financially, but also brings vast experience in entrepreneurship in scaling technology businesses, further providing us with complementary operational resources and support.”
Dr. Eric Lindner, CEO at FBGS
“Hampleton’s understanding of the IT services industry and our business, as well as their modelling strength and transaction expertise, were an important support for us while expanding our business via a number of strategic acquisitions.”
Stephen James, CEO and Founder at SAGlobal
"Hampleton helped us find a partner that definitely matches us very well, but we would not have thought of them ourselves."
Uwe Reissenweber, Founder and Managing Director at DOCUFY