Monterro invests in Kaisa – creates world-leading software for digital marketplaces and car dealers

Monterro, one of the leading Nordic investors in B2B software, has acquired a majority stake in Kaisa Technologies, a SaaS platform for lead capture and customer engagement designed for digital marketplaces and their dealer networks, with a particular focus on the automotive sector. 

Together with Monterro and Verdane, Kaisa will now further develop its product into a world-leading, AI-driven customer engagement platform for marketplaces and car dealers, featuring automated, multi-channel communication across the entire lead funnel.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Uppsala, Kaisa Technologies is used by the majority of Europe’s leading digital marketplaces and more than 100,000 car dealers worldwide. The platform connects data and automates communication throughout the entire customer journey, regardless of channel. This enables dealers to process leads faster, engage with them at the right moment, and deliver a more personal customer experience.

“Kaisa is an exceptional company with profitable growth, highly satisfied customers, and a product that solves a real problem for marketplaces and car dealers,” says Erik Syrén of Monterro, incoming Chairman of the Board of Kaisa. “The company has already achieved strong success across Europe. We are now accelerating with enhanced AI capabilities and multi-channel communication, with the ambition to expand our leading European position into new geographies – both organically and through acquisitions.”

Monterro brings proven experience in developing and scaling autotech products, including through its ownership of the fast-growing Danish company Autoflows, and will actively provide hands-on operational support across AI, product development, go-to-market and international expansion.

“Welcoming Monterro as a new majority owner, while Verdane continues the journey with us, is a strong endorsement of what we have built and the opportunity ahead,” says Daniel Petrell, CEO of Kaisa. “Monterro brings both autotech expertise and hands-on experience in scaling B2B software, enabling us to accelerate product development, expand into new markets, and move towards becoming a global leader in customer engagement for marketplaces and automotive retailers.”

The founders, the management team and investment firm Verdane will reinvest in Kaisa and remain shareholders, ensuring continuity and a long-term commitment

“We are incredibly proud to have taken Kaisa from an idea in Uppsala to a European market leader, and we are convinced that Monterro is the right owner as we now enter the next phase,” says Carl Holmquist, founder of Kaisa, who will join the company’s Board of Directors. “Their combination of deep engagement and hands-on operational expertise gives us the momentum needed to continue scaling at pace.”

Pål Malmros, Partner at Verdane, adds:
“We are very pleased to continue our partnership with Kaisa, which began when we first invested in the company in 2018. The company has built strong momentum and an established market position, and we welcome Monterro as an investor to support Kaisa’s next phase of growth.”

SEB Corporate Finance acted as financial advisor to the sellers in connection with the transaction.

For more information, please contact:
Erik Syrén, Monterro, incoming Chairman of the Board at Kaisa Technologies
Tel: +46 70 738 50 72 | erik.syren@monterro.com

Om Kaisa Technologies
Kaisa is a European market-leading SaaS company delivering specialized solutions for digital marketplaces and car dealers. With offices in Uppsala, London and Paris, its team of 65 employees supports customers in more than 45 countries. The platform connects data across the entire customer journey to automate and optimize engagement, creating a smoother and more personal buying experience.

About Verdane 
Verdane is a specialist growth buyout investment firm that partners with tech-enabled and sustainable businesses that help to digitalise and decarbonise the European economy. The flexible mandates of Verdane funds allow it to invest as a majority or minority control investor, replacement or growth capital, in single companies or in portfolios of companies. Verdane’s experience dating back to 2003 has made the firm a leading software investor in the Nordics.

Verdane has raised €9 billion in capital and its funds have made more than 200 investments in fast-growing businesses since 2003. Verdane’s team of over 150 investment professionals and operating experts is based out of Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Helsinki, Munich, Oslo and Stockholm, and combines deep sector expertise with long-standing local networks and presence in core European markets.    

Verdane is also a certified B Corporation, the most ambitious sustainability accreditation globally. The firm only backs businesses that pass its 2040 test, which indicates whether the company can thrive in a more sustainable future economy.    

Verdane is partly owned by the Verdane Foundation, which is focused on two areas: climate change and more equitable and inclusive local communities.