Stout announced today that its client, StoneEagle F&I, Inc., one of the leading and most respected technology providers in the automotive industry, has received a majority investment by Battery Ventures (“Battery”), a global technology-focused investment firm. Stout served as StoneEagle F&I’s exclusive financial advisor in the transaction.

StoneEagle F&I’s cutting-edge technology suite – focused on sales, service and reporting technologies as well as third party administration solutions – touches most players in the F&I space, including dealerships, general agents, third-party administrators, OEMs and associated services providers. Further, StoneEagle F&I has spent decades understanding the key habits that drive auto dealers’ profitability and create positive experiences for consumers shopping for automotive finance-and-insurance (“F&I”) products. Common F&I products include vehicle service contracts, guaranteed asset protection (GAP) plans, and ancillary products such as prepaid maintenance offerings, dent and ding protection, and wheel and tire coverage. The new investment with Battery will allow the company to continue developing superior products and create a new industry benchmark for high-integrity technology and services.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this transaction and the assistance provided by the Stout team, who distinctly understood the importance of our culture and partnership approach, which resulted in finding the right growth partner in Battery,” said Cindy Allen, CEO at StoneEagle F&I. “Battery’s operator-oriented approach, investment strategy, and values-based culture could not be a better fit for us.”

“Growth and innovation are in our DNA,” said Brent Allen, StoneEagle F&I’s founder and executive director. “It is how we started 33 years ago and has led us toward many paradigm-shifting industry firsts. It continues to be our passion every day. Our partnership with Battery will allow us to take this mindset to a whole new level and continue our tradition of innovation.”

“We have been overwhelmingly impressed by StoneEagle F&I’s history of developing pioneering automotive software solutions, their seasoned team and collaborative culture, and are proud to have had the opportunity to support them in this significant step towards continued growth,” said Keith Sipes, Stout Managing Director and head of the firm’s Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Investment Banking practice. “In addition to the strong chemistry between StoneEagle F&I and Battery, Battery’s extensive experience and resources will further position StoneEagle F&I to leverage its platform to capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead.”

Keith served as lead advisor to StoneEagle F&I for the transaction. Stout’s Nick Dreps, Jack Kedroski, and Sam Friedrich assisted in executing the transaction.

Hallett & Perrin, PC acted as legal counsel to StoneEagle F&I.

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