Specialists in Automotive Real Estate Capital & Entrepreneurial Finance. Built on Location, Tenure, and Franchise Stability. DRIVE Investment Partners is a structured real estate capital and strategic advisory platform dedicated exclusively to the franchised automotive sector. Founded in Québec with clear ambitions to grow across Canada and North America, we were built on a simple conviction: the Canadian market deserves a more flexible, more entrepreneurial, and more operationally grounded approach to automotive investment; one that has long existed in the United States but remains largely underdeveloped here. We partner with dealer groups, private landowners, and long-term real estate investors to acquire, structure, and optimize the properties that power Canada's franchised automotive network. Automotive real estate is a distinct asset class, anchored by long-term franchise obligations, OEM facility compliance requirements, and operators who are contractually motivated to perform. We understand the intersection of property value and franchise tenure better than anyone, and we structure our investments accordingly. Our mission is straightforward: to provide innovative financing and investment solutions that support automotive entrepreneurs in their growth ambitions. We combine strong financial expertise with hands-on industry experience — because we believe the best capital partners are the ones who have sat where the operator sits. We work with forward-thinking investors, dealer-owners planning an exit, and ambitious entrepreneurs looking to grow their footprint, unlocking embedded property value while preserving the operational continuity that manufacturers demand. Whether it's a sale-leaseback on a high-volume franchise location, a build-to-suit for an OEM facility upgrade, or a long-term net lease acquisition across a multi-brand dealer group, our team is built to execute with precision. And when the right operator is at the table looking to take the next step, we have the relationships and the resourcefulness to support the full picture. At DRIVE IP, we are more than investors, we are growth partners to the entrepreneurs we support. Every site is strategic. Every relationship, intentional. Every opportunity, built to last.
WHAT WE DO?
Investments. Partnerships. Performance
Strategic Capital
We provide smart, scalable capital solutions to automotive entrepreneurs with strong leadership and untapped potential. Our investments are tailored to fuel growth, expansion, and long-term value creation.
Collaborative Partnerships
We work shoulder-to-shoulder with dealership owners and operators to enhance profitability and accelerate growth, while preserving their unique culture and operational independence.
Franchise-Aligned
Every capital solution we structure is designed with OEM franchise requirements in mind. We work within manufacturer framework, not around them, ensuring that our partnerships strengthen, the dealer-OEM relationship.
Performance-Driven Results
Through data-driven insights and deep operational support, we help our partners unlock new levels of efficiency, profitability, and enterprise value.
Proven Results
Backed by Experience. Measured by Success.
20+ Successful transactions across North America
30–40% EBITDA Uplift achieved within 24 months post-investment
Over $500m in combined portfolio revenue
100% Partner retention
OUR VISION
To be the most trusted structured capital partner in North American automotive; one that OEMs, dealers, and investors rely on to grow the industry responsibly, with integrity and long-term alignment at the core of every decision.
OUR MISSION
To provide automotive entrepreneurs and dealer groups with institutional-grade capital and strategic expertise; structured to preserve franchise integrity, support OEM relationships, and create lasting value for all stakeholders.
Maxime Théorêt, CPA
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Maxime Théorêt is the Founder and CEO of DRIVE Investment Partners, a structured capital and investment banking platform built exclusively for the automotive industry. A CPA by training and an entrepreneur at heart, Maxime has spent his career at the crossroads of finance, operations, and technology partnering with automotive leaders to drive growth, execute complex transactions, and build lasting value.
Maxime began his career at KPMG Enterprise and TFI International, where he specialized in audit, financial due diligence, and M&A advisory for mid-market companies. In 2014, he founded AutoCap, a boutique M&A advisory firm focused on automotive retail. AutoCap merged with DSMA in 2016, which under Maxime’s leadership, grew into the largest M&A advisory firm in the North American automotive industry, executing over 500 transactions totaling more than $10 billion in value over the past decade.
In addition to his work at DRIVE IP, Maxime is also the co-founder of QUOTUS, a software and data platform purpose-built for the automotive industry, designed to equip dealers and investors with real-time intelligence and performance tools.
Through DRIVE IP, Maxime brings a unique blend of strategic insight, operational experience, and financial discipline to every partnership. His mission is to support ambitious automotive entrepreneurs with the capital and expertise they need to scale while preserving their legacy and independence.
Roberto D'Errico
Business Development Director
Roberto D'Errico is the Director of Business Development at DRIVE Investment Partners, a structured capital and real estate financing platform dedicated exclusively to the franchised automotive industry. Holding a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Human Relations from Concordia University, Roberto has built his career between financial expertise and the depth of human relationships guided by the conviction that the best transactions are built as much on trust as they are on numbers. Roberto spent 11 years at Scotiabank, where he progressed from Area Sales Manager over 4 years to Senior Relationship Manager over 7 years. Specializing in commercial mid-market financing with an exclusive focus on the automotive industry, he developed a recognized expertise in structuring complex financial solutions while cultivating deep, lasting relationships with dealer groups across Québec. His ability to understand the operational realities of his clients, anticipate their needs, and bridge the gap between their ambitions and the right financing solutions established him as a trusted partner within the industry. At Drive IP, Roberto brings that dual expertise commercial and relational to a high-growth platform, focusing on two complementary strategic pillars: dealer acquisition financing and real estate solutions for dealer groups across Canada. Driven by the belief that authentic relationships are the engine of lasting growth, his mission is to support ambitious automotive entrepreneurs with the capital, expertise, and personal commitment they need to succeed while preserving their independence and franchise integrity.
Our Approach
At DRIVE IP, we operate with a hands-on, performance-driven model built around strategic pertnership and operational excellence.
Strategic Investment Philosophy
We provide tailored investments that align with your dealership’s growth ambitions and long-term vision.
Collaborative Partnership
We work closely with dealer operators to ensure our goals are aligned, offering support and guidance throughout our partnership.
Franchise & OEM Alignment
We structure every partnership with manufacturer frameworks in mind. Our capital solutions are designed to meet or exceed OEM approval standards supporting the franchise system.
Operational Excellence
Our commitment to implementing best practices and continuous improvement drives efficiency and performance in every dealership.
Data-Driven Insights
We utilize data and analytics to inform decision-making and track performance, ensuring that our strategies are effective and adaptive.
Innovation and Adaptability
We embrace change and innovative solutions to stay ahead of industry trends and respond to evolving needs.
Value Creation
Our focus is on unlocking and maximizing the value of each dealership, delivering exceptional returns to our investors.
Integrity and Transparency
We uphold the highest standards of ethical practices and maintain open communication with our partners.
Join us as we drive the future of automotive retail.
