Salesforce acquires Israeli data startup Own for $1.9 billion in cash

Salesforce has acquired Israeli data startup Own for $1.9 billion in cash. Formerly known as OwnBackup, the company specializes in data protection and management solutions.

This acquisition marks Salesforce’s largest since its $27.7 billion purchase of Slack in 2021. As we reported in April, Salesforce had also considered acquiring data management firm Informatica earlier this year but chose not to proceed. The deal with Own is set to close in the fourth quarter of Salesforce’s fiscal year 2025, pending regulatory approvals and other standard conditions.

Steve Fisher, Salesforce GM, highlighted that the acquisition “demonstrates Salesforce’s commitment to offering secure solutions that safeguard our customers’ crucial data.”

“Data security is more crucial than ever, and Own’s established expertise will enhance our ability to provide comprehensive data protection and management solutions,” Fisher said in a press release. “This transaction highlights our dedication to delivering secure solutions that address data security and compliance challenges.”

Founded in 2015 by Ariel Berkman, Daniel Gershuni, and Eran Cohen, Own offers enterprise-focused tools for data backup and disaster recovery. Own initially aimed to use SaaS vendors’ open APIs, including those from Salesforce, to back up data from various applications. It also supports SaaS apps hosted on AWS and Microsoft. The company rebranded from OwnBackup to Own last October.

The startup, founded by Ariel Berkman, Daniel Gershuni, and Eran Cohen, raised $507.3 million from investors like Tiger Global, BlackRock, Insight Partners, Vertex Ventures, and Salesforce Ventures before today’s acquisition. Though the management team relocated to the U.S., the R&D center remains in Israel.

Sam Gutmann, CEO of Own, expressed enthusiasm about joining Salesforce. “We’re thrilled to partner with Salesforce, a company that aligns with our focus on data resilience and security,” Gutmann said. “As digital transformation accelerates, we’re expanding our mission to help customers protect their data, gain insights, and foster innovation. Together, we’ll offer even more value by driving progress, securing data, and ensuring compliance in highly regulated sectors.”

Own, a Salesforce AppExchange partner since 2012 and a Salesforce Ventures portfolio company, has grown its offerings beyond backup and recovery. The Own Data Platform provides archiving, seeding, security, and analytics services, helping clients maintain data availability, compliance, and security. Own also aids organizations in leveraging historical data for better decision-making and competitive edge.

With close to 7,000 customers and a growing team, Own’s expanded capabilities will complement Salesforce’s existing data management tools. “We’re excited about the future with Salesforce,” Gutmann added. “Together, we’ll enhance innovation, secure data, and support compliance in the most complex industries.”

Before the acquisition, Own had raised over $500 million from investors and was valued at $3.35 billion following a $240 million Series E round in August 2021. Salesforce, which previously held a 10% stake in Own, valued the company at $2.1 billion in this transaction.