AI continues to reshape how businesses function, and I’m seeing IBM go all in on this transformation. In a major step that reflects its long-term investment in artificial intelligence and data services, IBM has officially acquired Hakkoda — a rising New York-based data and AI consultancy that’s been making waves since 2021.
Let me break down what this means for IBM, Hakkoda, and the future of AI consulting.
Why IBM Acquired Hakkoda
From my perspective, IBM's acquisition of Hakkoda is more than just a business deal — it’s a calculated move to scale AI-powered consulting for complex industries. As Mohamad Ali, Senior VP and head of IBM Consulting, said, this acquisition will allow IBM to "deliver value faster" to clients in sectors like healthcare, financial services, public infrastructure, and life sciences.
And it’s not hard to see why IBM made this move.
Hakkoda brings deep experience in modern data transformation — especially through Snowflake, one of the most widely used cloud data platforms in enterprise today. By acquiring Hakkoda, IBM gains a team of data-savvy consultants already embedded in a high-demand ecosystem.
What Hakkoda Brings to IBM’s AI and Cloud Strategy
Hakkoda was co-founded by Erik Duffield, a former Deloitte GM who clearly understood what the future of data consultancy should look like. The company has raised $5.6 million in venture capital from investors like Lead Edge Capital, Casimir Holdings, and Tercera, showing strong early confidence in its approach.
With hundreds of consultants spread across the U.S., Latin America, India, Europe, and the U.K., Hakkoda doesn’t just bring expertise—it brings scale. These teams will now become part of IBM’s global consulting division.
What excites me the most is Hakkoda’s focus on modernizing legacy data systems and helping firms move to cloud-native architectures. That’s a massive pain point for many enterprises, and Hakkoda is tackling it with both tools and tailored consulting solutions.
A Strategic AI Investment That Follows Other Smart Acquisitions
IBM isn’t slowing down when it comes to AI. This acquisition follows IBM’s recent purchases of DataStax, which helps businesses build AI apps, and HashiCorp, a well-known infrastructure and automation company.
These aren’t random buys—they’re calculated additions to IBM’s growing AI consulting arsenal.
In Q4 2024, IBM reported its biggest revenue jump in five years, largely driven by AI-related bookings and services. With over $5 billion in AI bookings, it’s no surprise IBM’s stock climbed 10% on that news alone.
Clearly, the strategy is paying off—and acquiring Hakkoda fits right into that momentum.
Hakkoda’s Vision Matches IBM’s AI Future
One of the things that stood out to me was how aligned Hakkoda’s mission is with IBM’s innovation-first approach.
Duffield put it best: “From the beginning, Hakkoda has committed to being ‘in the arena,’ not observing the greatest transformation in history but shaping it.” That mindset — being actively involved in shaping data and AI transformation — makes this a natural partnership.
IBM brings the heritage, resources, and global reach. Hakkoda brings agility, cloud-first expertise, and a razor-sharp focus on solving modern data challenges.
A Win-Win for AI’s Next Chapter
This deal is a win for both companies — and for clients who are trying to navigate digital transformation with a mix of legacy infrastructure and modern AI tools.
With Hakkoda in its corner, IBM now has a stronger grip on key verticals that demand fast, secure, and intelligent data transformation.
As someone keeping an eye on the AI consulting space, I see this as a signal: IBM isn’t just competing—it’s building an ecosystem. And Hakkoda’s arrival just made that ecosystem a lot more powerful.
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