IBM acquires Hakkoda, a rapidly growing consultancy specializing in Snowflake and data modernization to bolster its data transformation and artificial intelligence capabilities. The deal positions IBM to offer even more integrated, AI-powered solutions to help businesses accelerate their digital transformations.

Founded in 2021, Hakkoda is a New York-based consultancy that quickly made its mark by focusing on Snowflake, a leading cloud data platform. The firm has carved out a niche by delivering on-demand access to specialized data professionals, including data engineers and architects, through a subscription-based model. 

With its expertise in Snowflake and partnerships with tech giants like Fivetran, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Dataiku, Hakkoda has been able to offer agile, scalable solutions to organizations looking to modernize their data infrastructure.

The acquisition is set to enhance IBM’s consulting arm, IBM Consulting, which is already a key player in the industry. IBM plans to leverage Hakkoda’s deep expertise in data modernization and AI to accelerate enterprise transformation efforts across a wide range of sectors. 

According to Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting, the addition of Hakkoda’s capabilities will enable the company to deliver faster, more cost-effective solutions to clients. “IBM is at the leading edge of the consulting industry with how we’re supercharging our consultants with AI,” Ali said in a statement. “With Hakoda’s data expertise, deep technology partnerships, and asset-centric delivery model, IBM will be even better positioned to deliver value faster to clients as they transform with AI.”

Erik Duffield, Hakkoda’s CEO and co-founder, expressed confidence that joining forces with IBM would provide the firm with the resources needed to expand its reach and capabilities. “This isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold—it’s about taking everything that makes Hakkoda special and amplifying it,” said Duffield.

He emphasized that Hakkoda’s values, leadership, and brand would remain intact post-acquisition. He also cited IBM’s substantial annual investments in research and development, AI, and quantum computing as key factors that made the company an ideal partner.

Hakkoda’s commitment to Snowflake remains strong, but Duffield acknowledged the strategic advantages of IBM’s relationships with other major cloud platforms, which will broaden the firm’s capabilities across various industries. The acquisition also aligns with IBM’s broader strategy of deepening its presence in data modernization, which will be a critical component of future digital transformations.

One area where Hakkoda’s expertise is expected to have an immediate impact is in the development of generative AI-powered tools for data modernization projects. IBM plans to integrate these capabilities into its IBM Consulting Advantage platform, targeting industries such as financial services, healthcare, and the public sector.

These sectors are undergoing significant shifts in how they manage and utilize data, and IBM’s enhanced offerings will provide businesses with the tools they need to stay competitive in an increasingly data-driven world.

Hakkoda’s acquisition is a part of IBM’s ongoing efforts to expand its AI, cybersecurity  and cloud services portfolio through strategic acquisitions. This deal follows IBM’s $6.4 billion acquisition of Terraform creator HashiCorp earlier this year, as well as other recent acquisitions aimed at strengthening its consulting capabilities, including the purchase of Oracle consultancy Applications Software Technology and AWS consultancy Skyarch Networks.