Databricks sees 70% growth in EMEA amidst enterprise demand for AI

Databricks, a global player in data and AI services, has reported a more than 70% growth year-on-year in its EMEA operations during the latest fiscal year. This significant expansion in the EMEA region is an apparent result of the increasing enterprise demand for data and AI capabilities.

The company's global reach also witnessed a surge, with revenue exceeding USD $1.6 billion for its fiscal year ending January 31, 2024, marking over 50% growth year-on-year. This growth momentum has been primarily fuelled by its rapid product innovation, coupled with a series of acquisitions that include MosaicML, Arcion, Okera, Einblick, and Rubicon. In addition to these acquisitions, Databricks also invested in French-based Mistral AI and launched DBRX, a general-purpose large language model (LLM) that outperforms all established open-source models on standard benchmarks.

The slated launch of its new EMEA headquarters on London's iconic Windmill Street, expected in H2 this year, carries the signs of Databricks' continued expansion. Planned to accommodate 400 employees, this is part of Databricks' 2024 roadmap of new offices and office expansions, including new offices in Madrid and Milan, new office space in Paris, and expanded spaces in Amsterdam, Belgrade, and Munich. The company has also opened an engineering site in Zagreb, indicating significant growth in the European region.

Regarding product offerings, the robust embrace of Databricks SQL, the intelligent data warehouse built with DatabricksIQ, is worth mentioning. It is a data intelligence engine that comprehends the uniqueness of your data and democratises analytics for technical and business users alike.

A string of customers from the EMEA region, mega brands like AXA, FrieslandCampina, Gousto, HSBC, LaLiga, L'Oreal, Michelin, Rolls Royce, Shell, and Unilever, have also adopted the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform. These businesses use Databricks to solve complex problems while driving outcomes. The company has also formed strategic alliances with key regional partners, such as Accenture, Avanade, Capgemini, Deloitte, EY, Salesforce, and SAP.

Samuel Bonamigo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Databricks EMEA, stated, "The Data Intelligence Platform is a critical enabler for businesses across EMEA to stand out from their competitors, scale AI, and recognise tangible business outcomes. Since joining Databricks in 2022, I have been amazed at the sheer pace of innovation coming out of the organisation, and I've had the pleasure to work with such a strong ecosystem of partners and customers across EMEA."

Paul Hollands, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, AXA UK, added, "Working with Databricks has created a step change in terms of how our internal stakeholders view data and AI. Databricks' unified Data Intelligence Platform has enabled us to go from data engineering to data science really efficiently. This is pivotal to success in serving customers, supporting colleagues, and ultimately driving value for the business."

As part of its forward march, Databricks has hired new talent and made strategic appointments across EMEA to strengthen its industry-specific expertise in vital verticals such as financial services, retail, and manufacturing. The company has also launched its Data Intelligence Platform for the Communications sector to further help global telecoms and Communications Service Providers (CSPs) use data and AI to enhance customer experiences and identify revenue growth opportunities.

Closing his statement, Bonamigo said, "We have only scratched the surface of what a generative AI-powered future could look like for customers across all industries and of all sizes. It's been a pivotal year for Databricks EMEA and with a world-class team, new offices, and collaboration with our partners and customers, I'm excited for the year ahead."