SAP revealed its acquisition of the German startup LeanIX, a software service designed to assist companies in mapping out their architecture. The acquisition comes to complement the Signavio purchase in 2021, when SAP acquired the German business process automation company for a reported price of $1.2 billion.
The company is in the process of constructing a new “business transformation” suite, leveraging Signavio, LeanIX, and various components developed by SAP over the years. As a result, the company aims to provide a holistic perspective on “business processes and applications,” encompassing the analysis of process interdependencies and visualizing the effects of potential transformations on the IT infrastructure.
SAP aims to leverage the capabilities of the newly acquired startup to establish a business focused on assisting companies in accelerating the modernization of their software stacks. CEO Christian Klein emphasized the importance of recognizing that systems and processes are interconnected challenges. He said “Together with LeanIX, we want to offer a first-of-its-kind transformation suite to provide holistic support to our customers on their business transformation journeys.”
André Christ, the CEO and co-founder of LeanIX, says that the capabilities of both companies will complement each other effectively. “SAP helps give people and organizations deep business insight and fosters collaboration that helps them stay ahead of their competition. We simplify technology for companies so they can consume our software the way they want – without disruption,” he said in a statement.
Just last month, LeanIX unveiled a partnership with Microsoft to introduce the LeanIX AI Assistant. This generative AI tool allows customers to engage with the software for tasks such as asking questions, generating documentation, and receiving architecture recommendations. The incorporation of generative AI undoubtedly enhanced the appeal of LeanIX’s offerings, making it an enticing prospect for SAP.
Launched in 2012, LeanIX has secured nearly $120 million in funding, with a noteworthy $80 million Series D round in 2020. The company boasts an impressive customer base, with 1,000 clients compared to 300 at the time of the Series D funding, and is on track to achieve revenues nearing €100 million. The acquisition is anticipated to be finalized in the fourth quarter, pending standard regulatory approvals.
