Apax Partners Sell TRADER Corporation to Thoma Bravo for $1.575 Billion

Goodmans LLP acted as Canadian counsel to Apax Partners and TRADER Corporation (TRADER) in connection with the sale of TRADER, Canada’s leading digital automotive marketplace and software solutions provider to Thoma Bravo, LLC for approximately $1.575 billion.  

Apax Partners LLP is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 30-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of $38 billion. Funds advised by Apax Partners invest in companies across four global sectors of Services, Tech & Telco, Health Care, and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies.

TRADER is Canada’s largest digital automotive marketplace. Its marketplace, led by the flagship autoTRADER.ca website and mobile applications, brings together Canada’s largest audience of in-market car shoppers with Canada’s most comprehensive and detailed inventory of new and used vehicle listings. TRADER’s marketing software solutions enable dealers to manage their websites, digital marketing campaigns and inventory. The company’s online marketplaces and destinations include: autoTRADER.ca™, autoHEBDO.net™ and Autos.ca. 

Thoma Bravo is a leading private equity firm focused on the software and technology-enabled services sectors. Thoma Bravo partners with a company’s management team to implement operating best practices, invest in growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings, with the goal of increasing the value of the business.