European growth investor Sprints and Styria Media Group have entered a strategic partnership to jointly own and develop willhaben, Austria’s leading digital consumer marketplace. This collaboration leverages Sprints’ expertise in technology investments and Styria’s media dominance in Austria to accelerate willhaben’s growth. The transaction includes the acquisition of Adevinta’s shares in willhaben, pending regulatory approval.

willhaben’s Market Position & Growth Potential

1. Leading Digital Marketplace in Austria

• willhaben serves 3.8 million monthly users with over 13 million listings across:
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Cars & Motors
  • Free Marketplace for Private Users
• Recognized as a trusted platform for both buyers and sellers.

2. Customer-Centric Growth Strategy

• Sprints’ investment philosophy centers around long-term customer satisfaction.
• willhaben aims to expand its offerings while maintaining market leadership.
• Scalability and digital innovation are key focus areas for future expansion.

Strategic Benefits of the Sprints-Styria Partnership

1. Sprints’ Technology Investment Expertise

• Decades of experience investing in customer-focused online marketplaces.
• Strategic insights into scaling digital platforms efficiently.

2. Styria’s Strong Market Presence

• Extensive local market knowledge and a robust media network.
• Established leadership in Austria’s digital and media landscape.

3. Accelerating willhaben’s Innovation & Expansion

• Leveraging AI and data-driven solutions to enhance user experience.
• Strengthening core verticals while exploring new opportunities.
• Enhancing advertising models to optimize monetization strategies.

Executive Insights

Henrik Persson, Managing Partner at Sprints:
"willhaben epitomizes our philosophy of customer-centric digital businesses. Partnering with Styria enables us to support willhaben’s next phase of growth and innovation."

Sylvia Dellantonio, CEO of willhaben:
"We’ve built one of Austria’s largest digital marketplaces. With Sprints and Styria, we are ready to take willhaben to new heights."

Markus Mair, CEO of Styria Media Group:
"This collaboration will unlock willhaben’s full potential, marking a significant investment in Austria’s digital economy."

The Sprints-Styria partnership strengthens willhaben’s leadership in Austria’s digital marketplace sector. With technology investment expertise and strong local market backing, willhaben is poised for continued innovation, expansion, and long-term success.