San Francisco — Salesforce is taking a big step to further embed itself in the artificial intelligence arena by acquiring Informatica, a preeminent cloud data management vendor, in an all-cash transaction worth $8 billion.
The deal will provide Salesforce with direct access to Informatica’s portfolio of enterprise data software, such as metadata management, master data management (MDM), data integration, and governance services.
The deal is just one aspect of Salesforce’s overall plan to establish the most robust data platform for its AI-fueled efforts.
Terms of the Deal
In accordance with the agreement, Informatica shareholders will get $25 a share in cash, a premium to recent trading prices. The transaction is anticipated to close by the end of Salesforce’s fiscal year 2027, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
In the view of the two companies, the boards of directors have authorized the transaction, and investors that represent approximately 63% of Informatica’s voting shares have already provided their written approval.
Salesforce will use a combination of available cash and newly issued debt to finance the acquisition. It expects the deal to start contributing to its non-GAAP earnings per share and free cash flow from the second year of closing.
Why Informatica?
Salesforce states that the acquisition will enable its Agentforce platform, a next-gen collection of AI agents that can automate and scale business operations. Through the integration of Informatica’s sophisticated data catalog and governance capabilities, Salesforce hopes to increase the reliability and scope of its AI systems.
Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff referred to the acquisition as a move toward creating “the most comprehensive, agent-enabled data platform in the market.” He underlined that the integration of Salesforce’s current tools—like MuleSoft, Tableau, and Data Cloud—with Informatica’s would enable the company to capture an increasing global appetite for high-quality, AI-enabled data solutions.
Steve Fisher, Salesforce’s President and Chief Technology Officer, also weighed in, saying that the success of AI relies on having access to full and trustworthy data. “Those kind of autonomous AI agents must have an understanding of the data they’re working with. That’s precisely what Informatica makes possible,” he stated.
Informatica’s Role in Salesforce’s Vision
Informatica CEO Amit Walia described the transaction as a “major leap forward” in extracting value from corporate data. “We share Salesforce’s vision for a future where organizations can maximize their use of data in real-time, across every system and team,” Walia stated.
The purchase will enable Salesforce to bring its AI capabilities to critical industries such as healthcare, government, life sciences, and financial services.
A Pattern of Strategic Expansion
The acquisition of Informatica is Salesforce’s latest history of big-name purchases to boost its ecosystem. The firm earlier bought MuleSoft in 2018 for $6.5 billion, Tableau in 2019 for $15.7 billion, and Slack in 2021 for $27.7 billion.
Robin Washington, Salesforce President and Chief Financial Officer, stated the decision is a testament to the company’s “disciplined and focused” strategy for mergers and acquisitions. “This transaction accelerates our long-term vision and bolsters our leadership in the data-driven AI arena,” she stated.
What’s Next
When complete, Salesforce intends to increase Informatica’s penetration by investing in its partner network and using its own worldwide distribution network. Operations at Informatica will remain intact throughout the integration phase with joint teams tasked with unifying the technologies.
The deal is anticipated to be a central factor for Salesforce’s future growth over the course of a few years as demand for smart, AI-powered platforms continues to build momentum.