Australian consultancy DevOps1 acquires cloud engineering firm

Australian consultancy DevOps1 has acquired cloud engineering firm Innablr, marking a major step in its strategy to build a scaled local alternative to the global system integrators.

The deal combines DevOps1’s enterprise expertise in cloud, security and engineering with Innablr’s decade of cloud, data and platform engineering depth.

With operations in Sydney and Melbourne, DevOps1 has built an enterprise customer base with the likes of Allianz, Toyota Finance, Optus, Vocus and more.

The acquisition lifts DevOps1’s headcount to 130, with plans to more than double within two years.

DevOps1 founder and CEO Alex Rea, who previously led large-scale technology organisations at Wipro and Ampion, said the acquisition reflects both the scale of opportunity in the market and the lack of Australian challengers.

“Global players are consolidating the market which leaves Australian organisations with fewer specialist options at scale,” he said.

“By combining DevOps1 and Innablr, we’re building a homegrown consultancy with the size, depth and focus to compete head-on with the multinationals. Our customers want an alternative that is close to the market, understands the local context, and can deliver specialist skills at pace.”

Innablr CEO Dan Hornby said the duo met through a mutual connection and recognised that joining forces would accelerate their ability to compete for larger, more complex engagements.

“With DevOps1 based mainly in Sydney and us in Melbourne, the geographic fit was clear," he said.

"Just as importantly, our service lines complemented each other, with cloud, engineering, data and security coming together to create a compelling offering.

“We see deep data and security expertise as a key enabler to successful adoption of cloud native technologies, no matter which hyperscaler our customers are using. With DevOps1, we believe the combined reach of both companies grows exponentially, thanks to both teams bringing perfectly matched capabilities.”