IBM Acquires Hakkoda to Strengthen AI Consultancy Leadership

IBM has announced the acquisition of Hakkoda Inc., a New York-based data and AI consultancy renowned for its expertise in modernizing data estates and leveraging generative AI solutions. The deal, finalized on April 2, 2025, marks another milestone in IBM’s strategic push to dominate the enterprise AI consultancy market. Financial terms of the transaction remain undisclosed.

Hakkoda specializes in migrating, modernizing, and monetizing data platforms, helping businesses transition from legacy systems to cloud-based environments. As an elite Snowflake partner with hundreds of certifications, Hakkoda brings cutting-edge expertise in data transformation and industry-specific solutions across sectors like financial services, healthcare, public sector, and life sciences. The firm’s proprietary generative AI-powered tools are designed to accelerate data modernization projects efficiently.

Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting, highlighted the significance of this acquisition: “With Hakkoda'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.” The integration of Hakkoda into IBM Consulting promises to enhance IBM’s ability to offer tailored solutions for clients seeking to optimize their enterprise data estates for speed, cost-efficiency, and multi-use case applications.

This acquisition is part of IBM’s broader strategy to expand its foothold in the rapidly growing AI consultancy market. Earlier this year, IBM acquired DataStax and HashiCorp to bolster its capabilities in automation and infrastructure services. These moves have proven successful; IBM reported its strongest quarterly revenue growth in five years during Q4 2024, driven by surging demand for AI-powered consulting services. Total AI-related bookings and sales have surpassed $5 billion since inception.

Founded in 2021 by former Deloitte General Manager Erik Duffield, Hakkoda has quickly established itself as a leader in data migration and modernization. Duffield expressed enthusiasm about joining IBM: “From the beginning, Hakkoda has committed to being ‘in the arena,’ not observing the greatest transformation in history but shaping it. IBM's heritage of innovation and deep partnerships with clients make this an ideal collaboration.”

The acquisition positions IBM as a key player in the $169 billion enterprise intelligence services market—a sector projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 13%, reaching $243 billion by 2028. By combining Hakkoda’s industry-focused expertise with IBM’s AI-powered delivery platform, IBM Consulting Advantage, the company aims to redefine how organizations approach digital transformation in the AI era.

Hakkoda’s global workforce will now operate under IBM Consulting’s umbrella across regions such as the United States, Latin America, India, Europe, and the United Kingdom. This integration underscores IBM’s commitment to scaling innovative solutions for clients worldwide while shaping the future of enterprise AI consultancy.