Expandi Limited announced that it has bought 100 % of Kompass, a move that consolidates two of the continent’s biggest B2B resources under a single, privately‑owned umbrella. The transaction, completed this week, gives the newly formed group more than 250 employees spread across eight countries and positions it as the largest independent European provider of B2B data, technology, media and services—sectors historically dominated by U.S. firms.
Why the deal matters
For marketers that target business audiences, the fragmentation of data providers, ad‑tech platforms and media networks has been a persistent pain point. By merging Kompass’s extensive firmographic database with Expandi’s AI‑driven activation suite, the combined entity promises a one‑stop shop for everything from prospect discovery to multi‑channel campaign execution. The scale of the new group also improves data sovereignty for European clients, a growing concern amid tightening privacy regulations.
The assets each side brings
Kompass’s contribution
- A global directory of more than 70 million companies, searchable through the AI‑enhanced “Easybusiness” prospecting tool.
- A network of 20+ international distributors that provide localized support and sales channels.
- The Kompass.com portal, available in 25 languages and attracting roughly 4 million unique visitors each month, making it one of the most trafficked B2B marketplaces worldwide.
Expandi’s contribution
- A suite of award‑winning B2B advertising‑technology platforms, regularly cited by industry analysts for performance and innovation.
- Proven expertise in designing data‑driven, multi‑channel campaigns for both global brands and regional players.
Together, the two firms claim to create “the largest integrated B2B information and activation platform in Europe,” a statement that underscores their ambition to compete with the likes of ZoomInfo, Dun & Bradstreet and other U.S. incumbents.
From alliance to full integration
The partnership between Expandi and Kompass began as a strategic alliance in May 2025. Over nine months, the two companies rolled out several joint initiatives:
- A unified data stack that blends Kompass’s firmographic intelligence with Expandi’s media‑signal data.
- An integration of Kompass.com with B2BStars.com, offering users a seamless transition from data discovery to campaign launch.
- A suite of AI‑powered solutions, including a purchase‑intent model that merges behavioral media data with search‑based intent signals, AI‑driven activity classification for finer segmentation, and an online AI product named KSales that lets users query markets and generate insights in natural language.
The companies say more AI‑driven products will be announced in the coming months, extending the platform’s capabilities from audience identification through to measurement and optimization.
Executive leadership and governance
Raffaele Apostoliti, CEO of Expandi, will assume the chief‑executive role at Kompass in addition to his existing responsibilities. The current Kompass CEO will stay on as a strategic advisor, providing continuity during the integration. Existing Kompass shareholders will become shareholders of Expandi, signalling confidence in the combined venture’s long‑term prospects.
Market impact and competitive context
The European B2B technology landscape has long suffered from a reliance on U.S. data providers, many of which struggle with European data‑privacy standards. By consolidating a massive, multilingual company database with home‑grown activation technology, Expandi‑Kompass offers an alternative that can keep data processing within Europe’s jurisdiction.
Analysts note that the merger could also shift the balance for mid‑market and long‑tail accounts, which are often under‑served by larger, U.S.-centric platforms. The combined group’s ability to deliver a “single partner” solution—spanning data, strategy, media, technology and services across EMEA, the Americas and APAC—may attract enterprises looking to simplify vendor management and accelerate go‑to‑market timelines.
Quotes from the leadership
Raffaele Apostoliti, CEO, Expandi Limited:
“This great acquisition is not just about scale; it is about giving B2B marketers and export‑oriented companies a single partner that can support them end‑to‑end, from data and insight to media activation and measurable business outcomes. We are fully aligned with the leading industry analysts’ predictions, B2B marketplaces are becoming essential, integrated components of the modern marketing mix and crucial drivers for the shift to digital self‑serve channels, Expandi and Kompass will provide to companies the right solution to ‘find and be found’ with an increasing usage of AI.”
Patrick Coupier, CEO, Kompass:
“Kompass has always had a clear mission: to help companies find new customers and grow beyond their domestic markets. We have already developed state of the heart AI powered solutions. But joining forces with Expandi is the natural next step in that journey. Our clients will keep the strengths they know us for—the depth and quality of our global database, an AI assisted query, and our strong local presence—and gain access to powerful new capabilities in digital media, intent data and AI‑driven solutions. I am pleased to remain closely involved to support this new chapter and ensure continuity for our teams, partners and customers worldwide.”
Mohamed Alaa Saayed, VP & Fellow – Digital Content Services, Frost & Sullivan:
“This acquisition marks a pivotal step in the evolution of the European B2B ecosystem. By combining Kompass’s globally trusted company intelligence and marketplace reach with Expandi’s activation platforms and AI‑driven media capabilities, the group is creating a rare, end‑to‑end B2B data and engagement platform. We increasingly see B2B marketplaces and data‑driven media converging into core components of modern go‑to‑market strategies, and Expandi–Kompass is exceptionally well positioned to lead that shift, particularly for mid‑market and export‑oriented companies.”
Implications for exporters and importers
One of the highlighted priorities for the new group is supporting importers and exporters who have faced heightened trade barriers in recent years. By leveraging a unified data and activation platform, these businesses can more effectively showcase products to international buyers, potentially mitigating some of the friction caused by regulatory changes and supply‑chain disruptions.
Outlook
The merged entity plans to roll out additional AI‑enhanced products over the next few quarters, aiming to deepen its value proposition across the entire B2B marketing funnel—from audience discovery and scoring to personalized activation and performance analytics. If the integration proceeds smoothly, Expandi‑Kompass could set a new benchmark for European‑centric B2B data and ad‑tech solutions, challenging the dominance of U.S. providers and offering a more compliant, localized alternative for global enterprises.
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