Cognitus to further strengthen IBM's SAP capabilities in complex and regulated industries, including Aerospace and Defense, Energy and Utilities and Manufacturing
ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cognitus, a leading SAP S/4HANA services provider, with industry-specific, AI-powered solutions. Cognitus will bring mission-critical SAP skills, including in RISE and GROW with SAP, as well as an extensive portfolio of software assets. This combination of services, software and industry expertise, aligns with IBM's asset-based approach to digital transformation, driving increased productivity and operational efficiency for clients around the world.
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Cognitus brings more than 20 years of SAP expertise, helping enterprise clients with end-to-end SAP S/4HANA implementations and application maintenance services. As an SAP Gold & Co-innovation partner, Cognitus has been recognized for pioneering industry-tailored SAP services and solutions that empower the data-driven enterprise and fuel sustainable growth.
Cognitus' services capabilities are boosted by its suite of proprietary, SAP-endorsed and AI-enabled software assets. These assets include Cognitus CIS-GovCon which supports end-to-end government contracting requirements; Cognitus CLM, an AI-powered contract lifecycle management solution built specifically for government contractors; Cognitus Data Migration, a low-code, AI solution that simplifies the migration of data from legacy systems to SAP S/4HANA; and Cognitus Real-Time Billing, which accelerates high-volume, project-based billing by processing transactions in real time.
Cognitus' services and software capabilities throughout the entire project lifecycle of SAP transformation projects enable faster decision-making, reduce risk, and support compliance. This helps organizations in complex and regulated industries simplify operations and achieve greater consistency with a single provider.
"SAP is the foundation for so many digital transformations around the world. Clients are turning to trusted partners that know their industries inside and out and can deploy AI-powered solutions to their enterprise operations," said Neil Dhar, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting Americas. "Cognitus brings deep industry expertise and proprietary AI technology that improves the efficiency of SAP implementations and will extend the functionality of tools across our SAP portfolio."
IBM has extensive skills in SAP technology and transformations, complemented by its AI-led delivery platform, IBM Consulting Advantage. The acquisition of Cognitus strengthens IBM's industry expertise, portfolio of AI solutions, and capabilities in RISE and GROW with SAP, bolstering its ability to deliver modern SAP solutions faster and more effectively for global clients.
"Becoming part of IBM enables Cognitus to amplify what we do best – accelerating SAP transformation through innovation," said Pat Sathi, CEO of Cognitus. "It creates new opportunities for our people while strengthening how we serve our customers. Our clients will continue to benefit from our proven SAP-Endorsed solutions and accelerators, backed by Cognitus' deep industry expertise in regulated industries and now supported by IBM's global scale and advanced technology capabilities."
Nitin Khanna, Managing Director, and Amit Baid, President, at Cognitus, added, "Our software-first approach has always been central to how we deliver value. With IBM, we'll be able to accelerate software innovation, enhance our portfolio, and expand these capabilities to serve an even broader global customer base."
The acquisition of Cognitus strengthens IBM's SAP portfolio and represents IBM's continued investment in skills for strategic partners like AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, SAP, and more.
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, and IBM's acquisition of Cognitus is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
About Cognitus
Cognitus, an SAP Gold and Co-Innovation Partner, is a recognized leader in delivering GROW with SAP and RISE with SAP programs for complex and regulated industries. The company combines deep industry expertise with a portfolio of SAP-Endorsed Apps and industry accelerators that extend SAP Cloud ERP to meet compliance and operational requirements. With proven experience across Aerospace and Defense, Utilities, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, Professional Services, Wholesale Distribution, and more, Cognitus enables rapid, fit-to-standard SAP implementations that help customers modernize with confidence and achieve measurable value.
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Brophy
Elizabeth.Brophy@ibm.com
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
IBM to Acquire Cognitus to Accelerate SAP Transformations Globally
|
- Expanded new mixed-gender team competition, Hexagon World Series will feature multiple events per year in iconic global cities with equal prize money
- Series becomes the first fully FIP - governed team circuit, included into the official FIP calendar to complement existing professional and amateur events, encompassing Cupra FIP Tour and Premier Padel
- This evolution represents a major opportunity for the Hexagon Cup to be fully integrated within the federative padel pyramid
- Official recognition builds on strategic partnership announced in February 2025 between Hexagon Cup, Premier Padel and FIP, under which Premier Padel is also a shareholder and major strategic partner in the new series
LONDON, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexagon Cup, the team-based Padel tournament established in 2024 that revolutionised the sport's international landscape, has today announced an historic strategic alliance with 54, the global sport and entertainment agency behind the creation of LIV Golf, and the game's global governing body, International Padel Federation (FIP).
Under this agreement, 54 will invest and partner with Hexagon Cup to expand and elevate the initial project into its next phase: a new global team circuit, officially named the Hexagon World Series, in what will become the first team Padel series to be delivered under the governance of FIP, fully integrated into the federative padel pyramid.
The agreement positions Hexagon World Series as the sport's official global team circuit, governed by FIP and integrated fully into the official FIP calendar. The Hexagon World Series will expand the revolutionary team-based format of the Hexagon Cup into a series model, adding multiple events per year across new international locations. This expansion will open fresh commercial opportunities for fans, players and partners, while strengthening the overall FIP ecosystem and the Olympic dream alongside existing tours and FIP's governance.
The new circuit will complement Premier Padel, FIP's flagship professional tour for individual pairs, elevating Padel to a new level, whilst creating new value within a fully integrated commercial structure to sit at the top tier of the world's fastest growing sport.
Together, Premier Padel and the Hexagon World Series will form the global professional circuit for elite players: one tour for the world's top pairs, and one groundbreaking teambased competition, both under the governance of FIP.
Details of the new competition format, teams, calendar of events and global host cities will be unveiled in 2026.
54's investment is also the closing of an international financing round for Hexagon Cup, backed by a diverse group of global investors. These include PadelPark India, the British operator Padel Hub, the US-based Padel operator Epic Padel, as well as investment funds and platforms such as Players Fund (United Kingdom) and LinkinFirm (Brazil), alongside other strategic partners from Mexico, Spain, the United States and the Middle East. This multi-regional capital structure reinforces the strength of the project and its position to lead the international expansion of Padel.
Enrique Buenaventura, Founder of Hexagon Cup, said: "This partnership marks a new chapter in the history of padel. Together with 54, FIP and the support of, and fantastic relationship with, Premier Padel, we will build the first truly global team circuit, expanding the vision of the Hexagon Cup and creating something never seen before in our sport. Our mission is to help grow padel worldwide, unlock new commercial opportunities, and contribute decisively to its Olympic journey."
Luigi Carraro, President of FIP, said: "FIP's mission is to develop and grow Padel at every level of the pyramid – from grassroots and amateur participation to elite professional - all around the world. The launch of Hexagon World Series - under the umbrella and governance of FIP and as part of our official international calendar, already including the Cupra FIP Tour and Premier Padel – further enhances, consolidates and stabilizes our ecosystem with the most prestigious competitions in the sport. Together, we will ensure Padel continues to grow with the professionalism, global visibility and collaborative structure – working with all recognized stakeholders within Padel and world sport – driving Padel's long-term success on an international scale."
Gary Davidson, Group Chief Operating Officer, 54, said: "Padel is one of the fastest growing sports globally, and we see an incredible opportunity to help accelerate its professionalisation and global reach. "Teaming up with Hexagon Cup and FIP to create the Hexagon World Series is a natural extension of our commitment to building the world's most exciting sporting properties, molded through modern commercial structures and integrated into the existing ecosystem to deliver the best experiences for athletes and fans, and the best performance for partners and investors."
- Expanded new mixed-gender team competition, Hexagon World Series will feature multiple events per year in iconic global cities with equal prize money
- Series becomes the first fully FIP - governed team circuit, included into the official FIP calendar to complement existing professional and amateur events, encompassing Cupra FIP Tour and Premier Padel
- This evolution represents a major opportunity for the Hexagon Cup to be fully integrated within the federative padel pyramid
- Official recognition builds on strategic partnership announced in February 2025 between Hexagon Cup, Premier Padel and FIP, under which Premier Padel is also a shareholder and major strategic partner in the new series
LONDON, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexagon Cup, the team-based Padel tournament established in 2024 that revolutionised the sport's international landscape, has today announced an historic strategic alliance with 54, the global sport and entertainment agency behind the creation of LIV Golf, and the game's global governing body, International Padel Federation (FIP).
Under this agreement, 54 will invest and partner with Hexagon Cup to expand and elevate the initial project into its next phase: a new global team circuit, officially named the Hexagon World Series, in what will become the first team Padel series to be delivered under the governance of FIP, fully integrated into the federative padel pyramid.
The agreement positions Hexagon World Series as the sport's official global team circuit, governed by FIP and integrated fully into the official FIP calendar. The Hexagon World Series will expand the revolutionary team-based format of the Hexagon Cup into a series model, adding multiple events per year across new international locations. This expansion will open fresh commercial opportunities for fans, players and partners, while strengthening the overall FIP ecosystem and the Olympic dream alongside existing tours and FIP's governance.
The new circuit will complement Premier Padel, FIP's flagship professional tour for individual pairs, elevating Padel to a new level, whilst creating new value within a fully integrated commercial structure to sit at the top tier of the world's fastest growing sport.
Together, Premier Padel and the Hexagon World Series will form the global professional circuit for elite players: one tour for the world's top pairs, and one groundbreaking teambased competition, both under the governance of FIP.
Details of the new competition format, teams, calendar of events and global host cities will be unveiled in 2026.
54's investment is also the closing of an international financing round for Hexagon Cup, backed by a diverse group of global investors. These include PadelPark India, the British operator Padel Hub, the US-based Padel operator Epic Padel, as well as investment funds and platforms such as Players Fund (United Kingdom) and LinkinFirm (Brazil), alongside other strategic partners from Mexico, Spain, the United States and the Middle East. This multi-regional capital structure reinforces the strength of the project and its position to lead the international expansion of Padel.
Enrique Buenaventura, Founder of Hexagon Cup, said: "This partnership marks a new chapter in the history of padel. Together with 54, FIP and the support of, and fantastic relationship with, Premier Padel, we will build the first truly global team circuit, expanding the vision of the Hexagon Cup and creating something never seen before in our sport. Our mission is to help grow padel worldwide, unlock new commercial opportunities, and contribute decisively to its Olympic journey."
Luigi Carraro, President of FIP, said: "FIP's mission is to develop and grow Padel at every level of the pyramid – from grassroots and amateur participation to elite professional - all around the world. The launch of Hexagon World Series - under the umbrella and governance of FIP and as part of our official international calendar, already including the Cupra FIP Tour and Premier Padel – further enhances, consolidates and stabilizes our ecosystem with the most prestigious competitions in the sport. Together, we will ensure Padel continues to grow with the professionalism, global visibility and collaborative structure – working with all recognized stakeholders within Padel and world sport – driving Padel's long-term success on an international scale."
Gary Davidson, Group Chief Operating Officer, 54, said: "Padel is one of the fastest growing sports globally, and we see an incredible opportunity to help accelerate its professionalisation and global reach. "Teaming up with Hexagon Cup and FIP to create the Hexagon World Series is a natural extension of our commitment to building the world's most exciting sporting properties, molded through modern commercial structures and integrated into the existing ecosystem to deliver the best experiences for athletes and fans, and the best performance for partners and investors."
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Hexagon Cup, 54 and International Padel Federation unite to create the Hexagon World Series, the sport's first official team circuit, unifying the padel calendar alongside Cupra FIP Tour and Premier Padel
