IT services provider Wipro Systems agreed yesterday to acquire US-based cloud technology producer Appirio in a $500m deal that will allow cloud software firm Salesforce.com to exit.
Appirio offers consultancy services and diagnostic tools to help businesses understand how best to deploy cloud computing technology, and provides technology that enables businesses to build custom cloud and mobile applications.
The company also operates an online crowdsourcing marketplace for designers, developers and data scientists, called Topcoder.
Appirio has raised more than $110m since it was founded in 2006, most recently securing $35m in series E funding from Fidelity Management & Research, an investment advisory branch of financial services group Fidelity, in April 2015.
Salesforce took part in Appirio’s $1.1m series A round in 2008, subsequently returning for a $5.6m round the same year and a $10m series C in 2009. General Atlantic led a $60m round for Appirio in 2012 that included existing backers Sequoia Capital and GGV Capital.
Wipro plans to integrate its own cloud application services on the Salesforce and Workday enterprise platforms into Appirio, which will continue to operate under its own brand, post-acquisition.
Chris Barbin, Appirio’s CEO, said: “When you combine Wipro’s global scale and deep digital focus with Appirio’s transformative worker and customer experience expertise, and best in class team, brand and partners, you create a formidable force in the industry.”