IBM struck a deal to buy data streaming platform provider Confluent in a deal worth $11 billion as it outlined an ambition to create a smart platform to aid enterprises in deployments of generative AI applications and agents.  

In a statement, IBM indicated the purchase would provide the means for it to deliver an end-to-end platform for businesses to connect, process and govern data used in systems.

It added Confluent provides a “leading open-source enterprise data streaming platform” which can conduct its activities in real time.

IBM chair, president and CEO Arvind Krishna highlighted its post-completion offering would “enable enterprises to deploy generative and agentic AI better and faster by providing trusted communication and data flow between environments, applications and APIs”.

“Data is spread across public and private clouds, data centres and countless technology providers,” he added. “With the acquisition of Confluent, IBM will provide the smart data platform for enterprise IT, purpose-built for AI”.

Deal
Under the terms of the agreement, IBM will pay $31 per share for the company. The deal was already approved by each company’s board and Confluent’s largest investors, which represent 62 per cent of shareholder votes.

IBM expects completion in mid-2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. It also has to go through a full Confluent shareholder vote.