- A partner that serves the Global 2000, where the biggest opportunities and the most exciting data projects live.
- A platform that could expand our reach globally, not just in customers, but in industry expert talent.
- A company that is truly investing in the future, not just talking about it.
- A brand that is already a leader in data and AI and has the resources to keep pushing the limits.
- A place where Hakkoda could maintain the very things we believe in most—our brand, our culture, and the agility, focus and industry expertise. We found that in IBM.
Why IBM? The 100+ Year Old Startup
The decision to found Hakkoda was the culmination of my nearly 30-year career in data, analytics, and professional services. As those experiences built up over time, I developed a sense of empathy for large organizations that found themselves falling into a narrow understanding of what it means to adapt to a changing marketplace. Which is why our business is all about doing new things in new ways and embracing the opportunities and challenges of the present moment.
IBM understands what it takes to evolve and win in new eras. They are one of the most innovative companies in data and AI today. With over $6 billion invested annually in R&D, a heritage of breakthrough achievements—including Nobel Prize-winning work—and leadership in both AI and quantum computing, they’re not only advancing what’s possible, they’re building what’s next. Their deep partnerships with cloud leaders and a $5 billion AI practice show they’re not dabbling in innovation—they’re setting the pace. They also understand the power of Hakkoda.
How Climbing a Mountain Led to This…
When it was time to build Hakkoda, the first thing our co-founders did was climb a mountain together. It was the perfect way to prepare for the road ahead, to learn to trust each other with hard things, and to lean into the power of the community around us. I believed then and I believe today in the exceptional people who have made Hakkoda what it is. IBM does too, and that’s why our leadership, our brand, and our values will remain.
I’ve worked in every kind of services business, from highly specialized, boutique data warehousing, to a disruptive cloud consulting firm with locations in multiple major markets around the world. Hakkoda reflects the best qualities of each, but what stands out is our bold focus.
Each of our Hakkoda hires adds to a community that can deliver powerful results for clients. Hakkoda attracts curious people who are motivated to learn, experiment, and lead, and that’s exactly what our values reflect:
- People first
- Trust is everything
- Live life
- Stay curious
- Be the change
When we began discussions with IBM, we immediately noticed how clearly those values aligned. Their commitment to client success, innovation that matters, and trust in every relationship is the perfect pairing for what we’ve built at Hakkoda.
This isn’t about fitting into someone else’s mold—it’s about taking everything that makes Hakkoda special and amplifying it.
IBM brings the kind of scale that allows us to dream bigger and move faster. Their investment in AI and Quantum computing is second to none, and their relationships with the largest cloud platforms in the world open new doors that would take us years to unlock alone.
The Opportunity That Makes Me Leap Out of Bed in the Morning
We’re still Hakkoda—but with a bigger engine behind us. This means more opportunities for our team, more ways to innovate for our clients, and a bigger impact in the industries we serve. We’re not slowing down. We’re accelerating.
Our commitment to Snowflake remains unwavering. As we grow, so does our ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible on the AI Data Cloud—developing deeper expertise, building stronger integrations, and driving even greater outcomes for the organizations we serve.
The world of data and AI is moving fast. With IBM, we’re making sure we’re not just keeping up—we’re leading the way.
Exciting times ahead.
—Erik
