IBM has announced plans to acquire Confluent, the data streaming pioneer, for $11 billion in cash, marking a strategic move to create an end-to-end smart data platform for enterprise generative AI and hybrid cloud environments. Confluent, built on Apache Kafka®, provides real-time data streaming, governance, and processing capabilities that connect and manage data across applications, clouds, and IT systems, enabling AI agents and businesses to access trusted, connected data. “IBM and Confluent together will enable enterprises to deploy generative and agentic AI better and faster by providing trusted communication and data flow between environments, applications and APIs,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM CEO.
Also Read: Stellar Cyber and Cato Networks Partner to Deliver AI-Driven SecOps Across SASE Platform
Confluent CEO Jay Kreps added, “We are excited by the potential to join IBM and to accelerate our strategy with IBM’s go-to-market expertise, global scale and extensive portfolio.” The acquisition should boost adjusted EBITDA in the first year and free cash flow by the second year. Confluent serves over 6,500 clients, including 40% of the Fortune 500. Its platform—Confluent Cloud, Confluent Platform, WarpStream, and Confluent Private Cloud—will connect with IBM’s Data, AI, and Automation portfolios. This will help organizations simplify, scale, and speed up AI-driven innovation. The transaction is anticipated to close by mid-2026.