Cognizant to acquire 3Cloud, creating one of the largest global Azure and enterprise AI partners

Cognizant has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 3Cloud, one of the largest independent Microsoft Azure services providers, in a move that significantly expands its capabilities in cloud transformation and enterprise AI enablement.

The acquisition will bring 3Cloud’s deep expertise in Azure, data and AI, and application innovation into Cognizant’s global ecosystem, strengthening the company’s position as a strategic partner for enterprises preparing for AI-driven operations. Together, the combined entity will form one of Microsoft’s most credentialed and globally scaled Azure partners, with more than 21,000 Azure-certified specialists and dozens of Microsoft awards across AI, automation and systems integration.

Cognizant said the deal advances its AI builder strategy, designed to help enterprises rapidly build, deploy and scale AI solutions on modern cloud infrastructure. The integration of 3Cloud will add over 1,000 Azure experts, 1,500 Microsoft certifications, and nearly 1,200 employees—700 of them in the US—to Cognizant’s existing Azure practice.

“This acquisition marks a pivotal step in Cognizant’s strategy to empower our clients for the future of enterprise AI,” said Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant. “3Cloud’s deep Azure expertise and longstanding Microsoft partnership will enable us to deliver even greater value as clients accelerate their AI journeys.”

Founded by former Microsoft executives, 3Cloud has built a strong enterprise client base across banking, healthcare, technology, and consumer sectors, delivering 20% organic CAGR since 2020. Demand for Azure-led transformation has remained robust, with Microsoft reporting 40% year-on-year growth in Azure and other cloud services in Q3 2025.

3Cloud CEO Mike Rocco said joining Cognizant would scale the impact of its Azure-led solutions globally: “Our shared vision for enterprise AI readiness and our combined strengths across cloud, app innovation and data will help clients realize the full potential of Azure.”

Microsoft executives endorsed the deal. “Azure is the platform of choice for AI transformation, and Cognizant’s acquisition of 3Cloud will create one of the most capable and credentialed partners in the Azure ecosystem,” said Judson Althoff, CEO of Microsoft’s Commercial Business.

3Cloud is widely regarded as a global Azure leader, earning multiple Partner of the Year awards in Data & AI, Health & Life Sciences, Migration to Azure, and Application Modernization. It is also an Elite Databricks partner with deep capabilities in advanced analytics and modern data platforms—a key draw for Cognizant as enterprise AI adoption accelerates.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.Read about our editorial guidelines and ethics policy