Salesforce will acquire Informatica for $8 billion, aiming to lead in enterprise AI by integrating advanced data management into its cloud and automation platforms.
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| Salesforce’s $8B deal to acquire Informatica marks a bold return to large-scale acquisitions, aimed at enhancing data control for AI-driven enterprise tools. |
San Francisco, USA – May 28, 2025:
Salesforce announced on Tuesday it will acquire enterprise data management leader Informatica for approximately $8 billion, a bold move aimed at reinforcing its AI capabilities and reasserting dominance in the global enterprise software market. This marks Salesforce’s largest acquisition since its $27.7 billion purchase of Slack in 2021 and signals a renewed appetite for strategic M&A as the AI arms race accelerates.
The all-cash deal values Informatica at $25 per share, offering a 30% premium over its closing price on May 22. The acquisition is expected to close in early fiscal year 2026 and will be financed through a mix of cash reserves and new debt. Salesforce said the transaction will enhance its operating margins by the second year after closing.
“Salesforce and Informatica will together create the industry’s most complete, agent-ready data platform,” said Salesforce Chair and CEO Marc Benioff. “This acquisition gives us control over a mission-critical layer of the AI stack—data—and positions us to lead in the $150 billion+ enterprise data and analytics market.”
Talks between Salesforce and Informatica had previously broken down in 2023 over valuation disagreements, but renewed interest from several parties, including Thoma Bravo and Cloud Software Group, reignited negotiations in April 2025, according to sources familiar with the process.
Informatica, known for its data integration, governance, and cloud-native capabilities, manages complex data flows across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The acquisition will allow Salesforce to embed robust data infrastructure into its suite of AI-powered services, including its flagship Agentforce platform, which already supports over 1,000 clients with automated customer service and HR solutions.
Scotiabank analysts welcomed the move, noting that “data management software is now a cornerstone of mega-vendor platforms” and that Salesforce has lagged behind competitors like Microsoft and Oracle in this regard. By bringing Informatica in-house, Salesforce gains both technological depth and strategic leverage in data management.
Salesforce has built a reputation as a prolific acquirer, with previous major deals including Tableau Software in 2019 for $15.7 billion and Slack in 2021. However, rising investor pressure—particularly from activist firms like ValueAct Capital and Elliott Management—forced the company to reassess its acquisition strategy and focus on profitability throughout 2023 and 2024.
This acquisition signals a strategic pivot. While still maintaining fiscal discipline, Salesforce is doubling down on AI-driven growth, seeing data as the linchpin for innovation. Informatica’s suite of tools will enable better integration, governance, and quality control across the massive datasets required for generative AI and autonomous agents.
“In today’s AI-powered world, data is the fuel,” said Informatica CEO Amit Walia. “Combining forces with Salesforce will allow us to deliver even greater value to customers, from real-time decision-making to secure and scalable AI operations.”
Industry observers note that the deal reflects broader consolidation trends in the software industry, where ecosystem control and vertical integration have become key to competitive advantage. By controlling both the AI logic layer and the underlying data infrastructure, Salesforce aims to deliver seamless enterprise automation from data ingestion to customer interaction.
The acquisition will face regulatory scrutiny but is expected to proceed smoothly given the complementary nature of both companies’ offerings. Salesforce has indicated that it plans to retain Informatica’s leadership and staff, integrating them as a standalone division focused on data services.
As the AI revolution transforms enterprise software, Salesforce’s acquisition of Informatica positions it as a full-stack platform provider, ready to meet the growing demands for intelligent, integrated, and data-rich business solutions across the globe.