Salesforce has announced its intention to acquire Informatica, a leading enterprise cloud data management company, in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $8 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Informatica shareholders will receive $25 per share, representing an 11% premium over the company’s previous closing price.

This acquisition aims to bolster Salesforce’s artificial intelligence and data management capabilities by integrating Informatica’s robust data integration, governance, and metadata management tools into Salesforce’s platform. The move is expected to enhance the performance and reliability of Salesforce’s AI-driven services, particularly its Agentforce platform, by providing a more comprehensive and trusted data foundation.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff stated that the combination of Salesforce and Informatica will create the most complete, agent-ready data platform in the industry. He emphasized that autonomous, trustworthy AI agents require a comprehensive understanding of their data, and the integration of Informatica’s advanced catalog and metadata capabilities with Salesforce’s Agentforce platform delivers exactly this.

Informatica CEO Amit Walia echoed this sentiment, highlighting the alignment of both companies’ visions to empower businesses through AI-driven data solutions. He noted that the acquisition represents a strategic expansion rather than an endpoint for Informatica, positioning the combined entity to drive innovation and growth in the AI and data management space. The transaction is expected to close early in Salesforce’s fiscal year 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Salesforce plans to finance the acquisition using a combination of existing cash reserves and new debt.

This acquisition marks Salesforce’s largest deal since its $28 billion purchase of Slack in 2021 and reflects a more cautious and strategic approach to mergers and acquisitions under CEO Marc Benioff. Analysts view the Informatica deal as a targeted investment to strengthen Salesforce’s AI and data integration capabilities, aligning well with the company’s growing data-cloud segment and its push to increase adoption of its Agentforce AI platform.

The integration of Informatica’s technology is expected to benefit Salesforce’s customers across various industries, including public services, healthcare, and financial services, by providing enhanced data management capabilities and supporting the delivery of responsible, enterprise-grade AI solutions. Following the announcement, Informatica’s stock rose by 5.7%, while Salesforce shares also saw a slight increase, reflecting positive investor sentiment toward the deal.

Overall, the acquisition of Informatica positions Salesforce to enhance its AI offerings and data management capabilities, enabling the company to better serve its customers in an increasingly data-driven and AI-powered business landscape.