IBM buys data and AI consultancy Hakkoda

IBM on Monday announced it had acquired Hakkoda, a New York-based data and AI consulting firm.

Founded in 2021 by former Deloitte general manager Erik Duffield, Hakkoda helps client migrate data to the cloud, with a focus on the Snowflake, AWS, and SAP platforms. 

The firm’s practices include AI-accelerated migrations, business intelligence modernization, data enablement, and investment analytics. Hakkoda works with clients in healthcare and life sciences, financial services, supply chain and logistics, public sector, and retail.

The consultancy has more than 350 employees listed on LinkedIn.

"IBM is at the leading edge of the consulting industry with how we're supercharging our consultants with AI," said Mohamad Ali, SVP and head of IBM Consulting. "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."

IBM in Q4 2024 reported that its AI bookings and sales breached $5 billion from inception-to-date. Most of Big Blue’s AI income comes from consulting.

IBM earlier this year acquired DataStax, a Silicon Valley-based AI app development company with 600+ employees.

“IBM's heritage of innovation, their commitment to discovery and deep partnerships with clients on their most technical challenges is a perfect pairing to take Hakkoda's industry focused modern data consulting to the global marketplace," Duffield said.

Hakkoda will join IBM Consulting Advantage, the firm’s AI-powered delivery platform.

Financial terms of the transaction, which finalized on April 2, 2025, were not disclosed.