Salesforce acquires Informatica for $8 billion to boost AI capabilities
- Salesforce announced its plan to acquire Informatica for $8 billion to improve its data capabilities.
- Informatica's shareholders are set to receive $25 per share as part of the acquisition deal.
- This acquisition aligns with Salesforce's long-term strategy to dominate the software-as-a-service market.
On May 20, 2025, Salesforce, the American software company, announced its agreement to acquire Informatica, a data-management software firm, in a deal valued at $8 billion. This strategic acquisition is aimed at enhancing Salesforce's data foundation and boosting its AI capabilities, which the company believes are critical for the effective deployment of agentic AI. Informatica's data management services will complement the Salesforce platform significantly, establishing a unified architecture that will allow AI agents to operate safely and responsibly within large enterprises. The acquisition is expected to close in the fiscal year 2027 and has already received approval from the boards of directors of both Salesforce and Informatica. Under the terms of the agreement, Informatica's shareholders will receive $25 in cash for each share of common stock that Salesforce does not already own. Following the announcement, Salesforce's stock rose, reflecting positive investor sentiment regarding the acquisition. This move highlights Salesforce's aggressive strategy to maintain its leadership in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) market, further expanding its services and capabilities. Salesforce's CEO, Marc Benioff, expressed that the aim is to create the most complete, agent-ready data platform in the industry. He believes that the integration of Informatica's advanced data management capabilities will enable autonomous agents to deliver smarter and safer outcomes across various industries. Robin Washington, Salesforce's Chief Operating and Financial Officer, emphasized the company's methodical and decisive acquisition strategy, focused on targeting transformative assets that align with maximizing customer success and growth, particularly in sectors like public health, life sciences, and financial services. This acquisition follows Salesforce's history of strategic acquisitions in the past, including its purchase of MuleSoft in 2018 and Slack Technologies in 2021. By integrating Informatica's capabilities swiftly and efficiently, Salesforce aims to unlock synergies that will significantly strengthen its position within an estimated enterprise data market valued at over $150 billion. As Salesforce continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of AI and data management, this acquisition is a pivotal move that indicates its commitment to innovations in technology and data solutions.