London, UK and Graz, Austria, 3rd March 2025 – Together with Roschier (Sweden) as main counsel, DORDA advised European growth investor Sprints on its partnership with Styria Media Group. As part of the partnership, the joint venture between Sprints and Styria acquires all of Adevinta’s shares in willhaben, Austria’s digital consumer marketplace. This collaboration combines Sprints’ extensive expertise as an investor in customer-focused technology businesses in Europe with Styria’s prominent position as a leading media and digital company in Austria.

The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. Completion of the transaction is expected in the second quarter of 2025. Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

The team of DORDA’s Digital Industries Group in this transaction was led by M&A partners Christian Ritschka and Martin Brodey, mainly supported by Ulrich Weinstich (Principal Associate) and Max Lesjak (Associate). Heinrich Kühnert (Partner) and Mirko Marjanovic (Principal Associate) took lead responsibility for antitrust aspects. Further DORDA team members are partners Magdalena Brandstetter (Real Estate) and Christoph Brogyanyi (Corporate), principal associates Julia Landskron (Corporate), Magdalena Nitsche (Insurance), Katrin Repic (Regulatory), Florina Thenmayer (Employment) and Ida Woltran (IP/IT), as well as associates Thomas Krappinger (IP/IT), Corina Kruesz (IP/IT), Anna Martseva (Insurance), Julia Moser (M&A), Maxie Müllbacher (Real Estate), Sophia Pux (Antitrust), Nicole Scharl (Corporate), Julia Strass (Employment) and Antonia Stubbe (Finance).

The Roschier team was led by Björn Winström and Mattias Jönsson.

The partnership between Sprints and Styria creates a powerful collaboration. Sprints brings decades of experience as an investor in online marketplaces. Styria, as a major player in the Austrian media and digital sector, provides deep local market knowledge and a strong network. Together, the two are ideally positioned to drive willhaben’s continued growth and innovation.

“Sprints partners with technology companies that place long-term customer happiness at the heart of everything they do. willhaben epitomises this philosophy. It has one of the most recognised and beloved brands in Austria, and we’re excited to join forces with them and Styria to support the next phase of the company’s growth.” said Henrik Persson, Managing Partner at Sprints.

About willhaben

willhaben – meaning “want to have” – is a leading provider in the Austrian digital marketplace landscape, with more than 3.8 million users per month. It is one of the go-to platforms of buyers and sellers in Austria, with more than 13 million listings across real estate, jobs, cars and motors and the free marketplace for private users.

About Sprints

Sprints invests in select European growth companies that use technology to significantly enhance their customers’ lives. The team of Sprints comprises investors and operators with deep, long-standing expertise across the marketplace, fintech and software sectors. Founded in 2015, its portfolio includes category-defining companies like Revolut (the leading global neobank), Hemnet (Sweden’s top property portal) and Chrono24 (a leading second hand luxury watch marketplace)

About Styria

Styria Media Group AG was founded in 1869 and is a leading Austrian media group as a house of media and marketplaces; its core markets in both business segments also include Croatia and Slovenia.

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