Waracle acquires Inov8 to boost cloud & AI services

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Waracle has agreed to acquire Edinburgh-based cloud and data services consultancy Inov8, expanding its presence in data and artificial intelligence.

The deal brings together Waracle’s workforce of about 300 people and Inov8’s team of 28. It aligns with Waracle’s growth strategy as it seeks to increase the share of revenue from data and AI work.

Edinburgh-headquartered Inov8 was founded in 2011 by Brian Graham. The business focuses on cloud services, data services and artificial intelligence, while Waracle develops digital products for clients in sectors including financial services, energy, health and the public sector.

The transaction marks another step in Waracle’s recent expansion. It previously acquired software engineering business HackSoft in Sofia, Bulgaria, and has increased headcount across its offices in London, Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh and Sofia.

Waracle has also made senior hires in its data and AI operations, appointing David Low as chief AI officer and James Poulten as head of data and AI last year.

Backed by growth investor BGF, the business said turnover rose by more than 30% in 2025 and pre-tax profit was nearly £2 million.

Growth plans

Waracle plans to increase its workforce from nearly 300 to 500 across the UK and Bulgaria by 2028. The acquisition of Inov8 gives it a larger base in cloud, data management and AI consulting as demand for those services rises across regulated and data-intensive industries.

For Inov8, the deal links a specialist consultancy with a larger digital product business serving organisations in financial services, health, energy and government-related work. Waracle’s client roster includes People’s Partnership, Roche, SP Energy Networks and Royal London.

David Tuck, Waracle Chief Executive, said: “We are incredibly excited to bring Inov8 into Waracle. We worked really hard to find a Data and AI consultancy that matched not only our ambitions, but also our values and culture.”

He added: “Since early 2025, as part of our strategic initiatives, we have focused on growing our Data and AI Practise. We have made massive strides over the last 18 months, and the talent within Inov8 will help us further our ambitions across both.”

Founders’ view

Inov8 founder Brian Graham said the business saw scope to extend its work through the combination. “Joining Waracle is a fantastic opportunity for Inov8 to demonstrate its depth of skills in Data & AI through Waracle’s scale and reach across financial services, energy and the public sector. We have always strived to deliver innovative solutions to client problems and build truly collaborative relationships as we do.”

He added: “We have spent a lot of time with David and other members of the Waracle leadership team getting to know them and the business. We know that joining forces at this moment will provide a great opportunity to be part of Waracle’s continued growth.”

The deal reflects continued consolidation among UK technology consultancies as firms look to add specialist expertise in cloud, data and AI while broadening access to clients in sectors under pressure to modernise digital systems. For Waracle, the addition of Inov8 strengthens a business that has expanded through both acquisitions and organic growth, with data and AI playing a more central role in its strategy.