Deutsche Beteiligungs AG invests in von Poll Immobilien GmbH

• Leading premium estate agency in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
• Third investment for DBAG ECF I
• Internationalisation the next development goal

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 5 June 2018. Deutsche Beteiligungs AG (DBAG) is to acquire a stake in von Poll Immobilien GmbH (von Poll Immobilien), one of the leading estate agencies specialising in premium residential property in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The DBAG ECF fund, managed by DBAG, is investing in the company, with the previous shareholders retaining significant stakes. For its co-investment alongside DBAG ECF, DBAG will invest up to 11.7 million euros from its balance sheet. The parties have agreed not to disclose the details of the transaction.

This investment in von Poll Immobilien GmbH is the third transaction since the first new investment period for the DBAG ECF fund, known as DBAG ECF I, began in June 2017. The fund has invested around two thirds of the total set aside for this investment period over the past twelve months.

Founded in 2000, von Poll Immobilien (www.von-poll.de) is an estate agency that focuses on high-quality residential properties in the Rhine-Main area. Over the years, von Poll Immobilien has become one of the leading agency platforms in its segment in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The company’s network today comprises some 280 offices across Germany and nine further European countries. The majority of these offices are operated by independent sales partners. More than 800 estate agents work under the von Poll Immobilien brand. The company provides them with training, marketing materials and other support. Together, they offer customers a range of services associated with the sale and rental of residential and commercial properties. The company also advises on new-build projects and property valuations. Von Poll Immobilien itself employs around 120 people and achieved sales of more than 70 million euros from its commission, advisory and licensing businesses in the 2017 financial year.

In a macroeconomic climate currently following a consistently positive trend, the agency is benefiting from increased demand for high-quality residential property in cities, metropolitan areas and holiday destinations. It is therefore expected that von Poll Immobilien will continue to grow by opening new offices, and to expand on its market position, particularly outside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Its first targets will be European markets such as France, Italy, Spain, the UK and Poland.

“Von Poll Immobilien has created a profitable and very scalable platform over recent years,” said Torsten Grede, Spokesman of the DBAG Board of Management, when the contract was signed. “The company has therefore developed an excellent foundation from which it can take advantage of existing potential and increase its share in a fragmented market.”

“We are continuing to work on achieving further growth within Germany. We are expanding our network, investing more heavily in digitisation and in strengthening our brand. Further internationalisation is the next logical step in our company’s development,” said Daniel Ritter, managing partner at von Poll Immobilien GmbH. “We are delighted to have DBAG by our side during this key phase as we work towards our medium-term objective of going public.”

“Von Poll Immobilien was born in Frankfurt. We are delighted to have a strong partner from this city that is both known for guiding successful mid-sized companies through the development and internationalisation process, and that understands us and our company so well,” said Sassan Hilgendorf, managing partner at von Poll Immobilien GmbH.