Salesforce acquires AI companies to target marketing at AI agents
Summary
Salesforce is making significant strides in the marketing landscape by acquiring AI companies to adapt to an emerging trend of selling to AI agents instead of directly to consumers. This shift suggests a fundamental change in marketing strategies, where companies will focus on engaging with AI agents that assist consumers in decision-making processes. Industry experts, like InspiredCap's founder, emphasize the importance of this transition, highlighting that marketing will increasingly be directed toward these AI mediators rather than traditional human audiences.
Analysis
Salesforce: Salesforce is a leading provider of customer relationship management software and AI-powered business solutions. It has been actively acquiring AI companies to enhance its marketing, customer engagement, and agentic capabilities across its platforms. This strategy directly supports its preparation for a future where interactions target AI agents in addition to human users. Alex Avontobel: Alex Avontobel is the Founder and Managing Partner of Inspired Capital, a New York-based early-stage venture capital firm. She recently explained Salesforce's AI acquisitions as a proactive move to adapt marketing practices for a world of consumer AI agents rather than direct human engagement. Her insights draw from her role guiding tech investments amid rapid AI advancements. VC Insights: Venture capital leaders are actively commenting on how established software companies are repositioning for agent-driven ecosystems. AI Acquisitions: Salesforce has pursued multiple AI-focused acquisitions to integrate real-time engagement tools and agentic features into its core CRM and marketing offerings. Marketing Evolution: Industry discussions emphasize a shift toward marketing strategies that address AI agents as key decision-making intermediaries in consumer experiences.
Categories
aiai_agentstech
Related sources
- https://x.com/InspiredCap/status/2112542147023077467
- https://x.com/i/user/14515205
- https://cryptobriefing.com/salesforce-acquires-ai-analytics-startup-loops/
- https://x.com/i/user/1622595830
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-10-20/salesforce-to-buy-marketing-platform-braze-for-5-7-billion
- https://x.com/i/user/931909393
- https://x.com/alexavontobel/status/2112529272787128342
- https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/20/inspired-capital-closes-450m-fourth-fund-as-new-york-pushes-back-on-silicon-valleys-gravitational-pull/
- https://www.morningstar.com/news/dow-jones/202610204581/salesforce-to-buy-customer-engagement-platform-for-nearly-57-billion
- https://www.adweek.com/dealroom/salesforce-to-buy-braze-for-566-billion/
- https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/salesforce-deepens-ai-bets-566-billion-braze-deal-6475576
- https://www.salesforce.com/news/topics/mergers-and-acquisitions/
- https://x.com/InspiredCap/status/2112562288700125338
- https://www.salesforce.com/news/press-releases/2026/10/20/salesforce-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-braze/
- https://x.com/TradedVC/status/2112602035488997555
- https://www.reuters.com/business/salesforce-acquire-braze-566-billion-deal-2026-10-20/
- https://www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/salesforce-to-acquire-braze-expanding-ai-marketing-capabilities
- https://x.com/salesforce/status/2112514575060881753