O3 Industries acquires Gumtree UK and Motors.co.uk, two leading online classifieds marketplaces
The Californer/10164657

NEW YORK - Californer -- O₃ Industries ("O₃"), together with Frankfurt-based private equity fund Novum Capital ("Novum"), has acquired Gumtree UK and Motors.co.uk in a carve-out from the global online classifieds specialist Adevinta ASA ("Adevinta").

Popular online marketplaces

Gumtree is one of the UK's leading digital classifieds platforms, connecting millions of buyers and sellers, to create thousands of successful transactions every day. Motors.co.uk is one of the UK's leading car search websites helping UK car dealers reach millions of buyers each month.

With the divestment of these two online platforms, Adevinta fulfils an agreement with the UK Competition and Markets Authority as part of its acquisition of the eBay Classifieds Group, which includes the German classifieds sites eBay Kleinanzeigen and mobile.de.

Flexibility and growth

O₃ and Novum Capital have already shown huge determination and commitment to the businesses during the acquisition process and look to their future with ambition and optimism. The management and the new shareholders are looking forward to driving the company's growth as an independent business.

Rolv Erik Ryssdal, Adevinta CEO, said: "We are pleased to have completed the sale of Gumtree UK and Motors.co.uk to Novum Capital and O₃. [...] We are confident that O₃ and Novum Capital together are well placed to continue growing Gumtree UK and Motors.co.uk as they focus on providing leading classifieds advertising services to the UK market."

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Sustainability and customer focus

Daniel Ozen, President of O₃ Industries, commented: "We are excited to have reached this agreement to acquire Gumtree UK and Motors.co.uk, an iconic general classifieds as well as automotive marketplace. O₃ Industries is a trusted partner for businesses that have both a demonstrated record of innovation and customer service and, at the same time, clear opportunities for continued growth. That is precisely what we see in Gumtree UK and Motors.co.uk. We look forward to working with its talented and experienced team and welcoming its associates into the O₃ family."

Felix Homann, Partner of Novum Capital, added: "Gumtree's value proposition is now more important than ever. Consumers can participate in the circular economy by trading a wide range of second-hand items on this platform. And Motors.co.uk supports car dealers to meet growing consumer demand for online buying options. We want to use our experience of carve-out situations, our international network, and our entrepreneurial passion to be a valued-added shareholder."

About O₃ Industries
Headquartered in New York, O₃ Industries is a family investment fund focused on executing complex acquisitions and undertaking strategic transactions requiring divisional carve-out experience. O₃ creates value by combining entrepreneurial spirit and operational expertise, delivering industry leading results over the long-term. Find out more at o3industries.com.

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About Novum Capital
Novum Capital invests in small and medium-sized companies with annual revenues of up to 200 million euros on behalf of German and international pension funds, private pension schemes, and endowments. The two active Novum Capital funds have 225 million euros of assets under management. Novum Capital uses these funds to implement succession plans, carve-outs, majority holdings, minority holdings – and above all to achieve growth and the best possible crisis resilience. Find out more at novumcapital.com.

About Adevinta
Adevinta is a global online classifieds specialist, operating digital marketplaces in 15 countries. The company provides technology-based services to connect buyers with sellers and to facilitate transactions, from job offers to real estate, cars, consumer goods and more.

Adevinta's portfolio spans more than 40 digital brands, covering one billion people and attracting approximately three billion average monthly visits. Leading brands include top-ranked leboncoin in France, Germany's leading classifieds sites mobile.de and eBay Kleinanzeigen, Marktplaats in the Netherlands, Kijiji in Canada, fotocasa and InfoJobs in Spain, and 50% of fast-growing OLX Brasil. Adevinta spun off from Schibsted ASA and publicly listed in Oslo, Norway in 2019. Adevinta employs around 7,500 people committed to supporting users and customers daily. Find out more at Adevinta.com.