Impel Acquires Outsell to Create a Disruptive AI-Powered Sales/Marketing Platform

Impel, a leading leader in AI-driven customer lifecycle management for the automotive sector, announced the acquisition of SaaS provider Outsell in a landmark transaction exceeding $100 million. The transaction, comprising cash and equity for Impel, marks the launch of the industry’s first end-to-end AI-driven sales and marketing automation platform, serving a connected network of more than 8,000 dealers in 51 countries.

Integrating Outsell’s advanced capabilities into the Impel ecosystem enables automotive dealers and OEMs to deliver seamless, hyper-personalized customer experiences throughout the entire lifecycle. Impel Co-Founder and CEO Devin Daly says, “Outsell’s unmatched ability to automate customer interactions with predictive AI has set a benchmark in our industry. This acquisition allows us to combine these strengths into a single AI platform that connects all channels and touchpoints in automotive retail.”

The strategic move marks Impel’s third acquisition in as many years, following previous integrations of Pulsar AI and CarLabs.ai. Last year, Silversmith Capital Partners led a $104 million equity investment to support the move.

Founded in 2004 by serial entrepreneur Mike Wethington, Minneapolis-based Outsell, with 170 employees, uses first-party data, machine learning, and predictive AI models to power automated customer engagement. In the past year alone, Outsell delivered more than 500 million messages across text, email, direct mail, and social media, reaching 61 million consumers.

The automotive retail sector is facing dynamic challenges, including the rise of electric vehicles, economic fluctuations and evolving consumer behavior in the face of digital transformation. In response, dealers are increasingly turning to AI-based solutions fueled by proprietary data to increase operational efficiency and deliver personalized consumer experiences.

Mike Wethington, founder and CEO of Outsell, expressed confidence in Impel’s ability to extend Outsell’s technological advancements: “Impel’s leadership in automotive AI allows us to amplify the impact of our technology and relationships. We are excited to join forces to redefine industry standards.”

Michael Quigley, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Impel, highlighted the strategic advantage gained from Outsell’s capabilities: “In an era where AI applications are becoming ubiquitous, Impel’s acquisition of Outsell strengthens our ability to deliver personalized, frictionless experiences that are seamlessly integrated into everyday business operations.”

Looking ahead, Impel plans to expand its partner ecosystem and enhance its platform capabilities through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, solidifying its leadership position in automotive AI innovation.