IBM looks to secure data infrastructure with $11bn bid for Confluent

• Confluent is being acquired by IBM for $11 billion in cash ($31 per share)
• IBM wants to expand its cloud, data, and AI infrastructure offerings
• Confluent’s total addressable market and revenue has risen sharply

IBM has confirmed plans to buy data streaming company Confluent in an $11 billion deal – the equivalent of $31 per share.

The deal sees IBM valuing Confluent around 34% higher than share prices suggested prior to the announcement, and it marks an important step in IBM’s strategy to expand cloud, data, and AI infrastructure offerings.

Confluent in particular specializes in managing large, real-time data streams that are present in AI workflows - as IBM hopes to build a smart data platform for generative and agentic AI.