Cognizant expands Microsoft Azure practice with 3Cloud acquisition

Cognizant, a Teaneck, NJ-headquartered IT consulting firm, has agreed to acquire 3Cloud, a Chicago-headquartered Microsoft Azure consulting firm.

Founded in 2016, 3Cloud has nearly 1,200 employees, including approximately 700 in the US. The Microsoft Azure gold partner has 1,000+ Azure experts and 1,500+ Microsoft certifications.

Founded by former Microsoft executives, the firm has been named a partner of the year for categories including Azure migration, application modernization, data and AI, and health and life sciences.

3Cloud is also a Databricks elite partner.

The consultancy has since 2020 delivered 20% organic compound annual growth, and primarily serves enterprise clients in financial services, healthcare, technology, and consumer sectors.

Cognizant’s acquisition of 3Cloud is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026 and will see private equity firm Gryphon Investors exit its investment in 3Cloud after five-and-a-half years.

The deal will significantly expand Cognizant’s Azure portfolio and deepen expertise in engineering-intensive engagements for AI-led business transformation.

Cognizant has approximately 350,000 people, including nearly 20,000 Azure-certified associates.

“3Cloud’s deep Azure expertise, industry-aligned approach and longstanding Microsoft partnership will enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients as they accelerate their AI journeys,” said Ravi Kumar Singisetti, CEO of Cognizant.

Mike Rocco, CEO of 3Cloud, added, “Being a part of Cognizant will unlock new opportunities for our clients and employees. Our shared vision for driving enterprise AI readiness and our combined strengths in cloud, app innovation, and data will help our clients realize the full potential of Azure, now at a global scale.”

Lazard advised Gryphon Investors on the transaction, for which financial details were not disclosed.