EQT to Acquire Adevinta's Spanish Online Classifieds Operations
In a strategic move, global investment firm EQT has announced the acquisition of Adevinta Spain, with Ernst & Young serving as financial, tax, and carve-out advisor. The deal, which is set to be completed in Q1 2026, marks EQT's entry into the Spanish online classifieds sector.
EQT's strategy revolves around backing high-growth platforms and partnering with world-class Management teams. With this acquisition, they aim to support Adevinta Spain and its leadership team as they grow, transforming the business into a fully independent, AI-powered digital ecosystem.
The transformation plan includes accelerating product innovation, improving customer experience across leading classifieds verticals, expanding AI and technology infrastructure, and working closely with existing leadership teams to scale the platforms. EQT also plans to capitalize on Adevinta Spain’s strong market positions and sizeable user base to grow further within the fast-growing European online classifieds sector, which has a projected 13.6% CAGR through 2025.
Clifford Chance served as legal counsel to EQT in the acquisition, and both Bert Janssens, Co-Head of Private Capital Europe & North America at EQT, and Carlos Santana, Partner and Head of Spain & Italy Private Capital at EQT, expressed enthusiasm about the investment.
"We are excited about the investment in Adevinta Spain," said Janssens. "This thematic investment in consumer internet and high-growth digital marketplaces allows us to leverage our digital expertise to drive a comprehensive digital transformation and innovative scaling of Adevinta Spain’s platforms."
Santana added, "We are looking forward to partnering with Adevinta Spain's Management teams and supporting them as they continue to deliver value to Spanish consumers and businesses."
Adevinta Spain's platforms are leaders in their respective verticals in Spain, making this acquisition a strategic move for EQT. The firm sees this as an opportunity to make a thematic investment within the consumer internet sub-sector, betting on leveraging their digital expertise to drive a comprehensive digital transformation and innovative scaling of Adevinta Spain’s platforms.
EQT's acquisition of Adevinta Spain is a strategic step in their business, enabling them to venture into the Spanish online classifieds sector. With this investment, they aim to utilize their finance, technology, and digital expertise to support Adevinta Spain's growth, transforming it into a cutting-edge, AI-driven digital ecosystem within the fast-growing online classifieds sector in Europe.
