Clairfield advises Vdynamics and MobileNext on the sale to Formel D

Vdynamics GmbH employs over 100 employees, mainly engineers. Founded in 2012, the company has locations in Munich and Ravensburg offering both engineering expertise and proprietary software solutions. Featuring a 3,500 m² workshop and 2,500 m² of office space, Vdynamics carries out its certified testing processes on ultramodern testing equipment tailored to the specific prototype. MobileNext is a specialist automotive software development firm.

Formel D, a portfolio company of 3i Group, develops concepts and scalable solutions for quality assurance and process optimization along the entire automotive value chain – from product development and production to aftersales. Founded in 1993 in Troisdorf near Cologne, Formel D now employs over 10,000 people and is present in more than 80 locations across 20 countries. The executive board is led by CEO Jürgen Laakmann.

By incorporating Vdynamics into the Group, Formel D expands its range of solutions for testing and validation. In this area the Group already supports its customers with services extending from vehicle construction, retrofitting, and camouflage to fleet management, provision of testing bases up to testing operation, including technical vehicle management.

“We will now expand our expertise in the areas of virtual testing and software validation, thanks to the wealth of experience Vdynamics has to offer,” said Dr. Jürgen Laakmann, CEO at Formel D.

“The market requires OEMs to diversify and develop new technologies, such as electromobility and autonomous driving, in cycles that are becoming shorter and shorter. As a strong partner, we help them face these challenges with our services.”

“Clairfield’s sector expertise, its proven industry contacts, and analysis of Formel D’s industrial motivation to build on our services and knowhow has been instrumental for us in realizing the transaction” said Michael Martin, former shareholder of Vdynamics. “I have repeatedly mandated Clairfield and fully rely on their professional services in M&A advisory.”

Clairfield International acted as financial advisor to the shareholders of Vdynamics and MobileNext. Tasks comprised

• Analysis of transaction rationale for selected strategic buyers
• Targeted buyer approaches and assessment of industrial motivation
• Support in management presentations and strategic workshops
• Full process management including expert meetings and due diligence
• Negotiation of SPA until signing & closing