In a bold return to large-scale acquisitions, Salesforce has announced plans to acquire data management leader Informatica in a deal valued at approximately $8 billion. This strategic move marks Salesforce’s largest acquisition since its $27.7 billion purchase of Slack in 2021 and reflects the company’s renewed focus on strengthening its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities through enhanced data infrastructure.
The acquisition, priced at $25 per share, represents a roughly 30% premium over Informatica’s closing stock price on May 22, prior to public speculation about renewed acquisition talks. The deal is anticipated to close in early fiscal 2026 and will be financed through a combination of cash and debt. Salesforce projects that the acquisition will begin to positively impact its operating margins by the second year post-closing.
A Data-First Approach to AI
As the race to harness generative AI intensifies, the acquisition of Informatica allows Salesforce to deepen its control over enterprise data—an essential element in training and deploying AI at scale. With Informatica’s advanced data integration and governance tools, Salesforce plans to supercharge its growing suite of AI-powered products and deliver smarter, more autonomous experiences for enterprise clients.
“Together, Salesforce and Informatica will offer the most robust and ready-to-deploy data platform in the industry,” said Marc Benioff, Salesforce CEO. “This combination enables us to unlock the full potential of AI by ensuring the data behind it is accurate, accessible, and secure.”
Boosting Salesforce’s AI Portfolio
Salesforce has made significant strides in AI with its Agentforce platform—AI-powered agents capable of handling business operations like recruiting and customer support with minimal human oversight. The company has already secured over 1,000 paid contracts for Agentforce, and this acquisition is expected to further scale its capabilities.
The move is seen as part of a larger effort to strengthen Salesforce’s position in the highly competitive $150 billion+ enterprise data market. Analysts believe the acquisition will help Salesforce close the gap with rival software giants, many of whom already bundle data management tools into expansive enterprise suites.
Strategic Shift After Investor Pressure
Salesforce’s return to major M&A activity comes after a period of cautious spending, following pressure from activist investors demanding tighter financial discipline and improved profitability. This acquisition indicates a shift towards long-term growth strategies driven by AI innovation and infrastructure consolidation.
Previous acquisitions, including Tableau Software in 2019 and Slack in 2021, have helped Salesforce expand its enterprise footprint. With Informatica now in the fold, the company is set to advance its mission of becoming the most comprehensive AI and data-powered software platform on the market.
