Lars Rastede

Lars Rastade, as Senior Manager M&A at CARIAD, plays a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic growth through targeted mergers and acquisitions within the automotive and technology sectors. His expertise spans the entire M&A lifecycle, from initial screening and due diligence to deal closing and post-merger integration (PMI). Lars has successfully led several high-impact acquisitions, including an app development startup with 16 FTE, a specialized autonomous driving development SME with 170 FTE, and another app development SME comprising 80 FTE. These projects exemplify his ability to identify and evaluate innovative technology companies that complement CARIAD’s vision of transforming mobility.

At CARIAD, a cutting-edge automotive software company founded in 2020 with over 6,000 developers, engineers, and designers worldwide, Lars leverages his deep knowledge of corporate finance, valuation of intangible assets, and venture capital to assess strategic fit and value creation opportunities. His skills in modeling, budgeting, and forecasting enable him to develop robust financial analyses that underpin sound investment decisions. Moreover, Lars’s strong project management and analytical skills facilitate seamless cross-functional collaboration during complex M&A processes, ensuring alignment with CARIAD’s long-term objectives.

Beyond transactional expertise, Lars is passionate about fostering innovation within the industry, often engaging in strategic planning and industry-specific market analysis, especially in Southeast Asia, where he has gained valuable insights into regional M&A dynamics. His motivation to motivate teams and stakeholders alike makes him a key driver in CARIAD’s mission to accelerate the development of intelligent, software-driven mobility solutions.