DKV Mobility, a leading platform for international mobility services, acquires a majority stake in smartlab Innovationsgesellschaft mbH (“Smartlab”), a leading e-mobility SaaS platform in Germany. Through this transaction, DKV Mobility strengthens and expands its leading role as an e-mobility SaaS platform operator with one of the most successful and leading technology companies in the aggregation, administration, and billing of e-mobility charging systems in Germany. Subject to merger control approval, the closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2025.
IMPROVED acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Smartlab and its shareholders in this transaction. Building on our leading track record in the EV charging software space and our deep understanding of the rapidly evolving e-mobility and energy transition markets, IMPROVED has supported Smartlab and its shareholders in building and articulating a convincing equity story tailored to the global investor universe, while realizing the strategic considerations and objectives of Smartlab’s existing shareholders, particularly those operating in the public utilities sector. With DKV Mobility, IMPROVED is pleased to have advised Smartlab on finding a strong strategic partner who can accelerate the company’s growth strategy.
Together with Smartlab’s remaining shareholders Thüga Aktiengesellschaft, energie schwaben gmbh, and BEB GmbH, DKV Mobility aims to accelerate further technical development and growth at Smartlab. The focus will be on expanding the number of charging points operated on Smartlab’s SaaS platform, strengthening e-clearing.net as a leading roaming gateway, and further developing Smartlab as an e-mobility service provider (eMSP).
Thanks to this strategic partnership, DKV Mobility and Smartlab expand their joint e-mobility platform to more than 177k actively managed charging points, with more than 910k charging cards and over 900mn kWh of processed charging current.
The global mobility industry shifting towards electric and green transportation is crucial and an absolute must, which will lead to the sector’s continued and strongly increasing growth in the next few years. A seamless user experience for EV drivers through widespread and easily accessible EV charging infrastructure across many different use cases and segments will be essential to facilitate this growth, requiring not only suitable hardware but also the integration of advanced charge point management software, energy management capabilities, and payment technology solutions.
To play at the forefront of the e-mobility industry, IMPROVED expects continued M&A and fundraising activity across charge point operators, EV charging hardware and software companies, and mobility service providers in the upcoming months to accelerate expansion in existing and new markets and optimize their value proposition towards customers through the development and/or acquisition of complementary technology and innovation. In light of this trend, the majority sale of Smartlab to DKV Mobility is yet another example of an international fuel card company bolstering its existing activities in the European EV charging software market through M&A.
