In a strategic move to dominate enterprise AI, data management giant Rubrik is acquiring San Francisco-based AI startup Predibase for over $100 million. This deal isn’t just another tech acquisition—it’s a signal that AI tools built on corporate data are about to become a lot more accessible, secure, and scalable for everyday businesses.
Below, we break down what this deal means, why it matters, and how it positions Rubrik to compete in the fast-evolving AI ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- Rubrik is acquiring Predibase for over $100M to strengthen its enterprise AI offerings.
- Predibase specializes in deploying custom AI models, trained on internal company data.
- The acquisition will help Rubrik’s customers build AI agents securely and efficiently.
- Predibase will operate independently, continuing support for data from Amazon, Snowflake, Google, and Databricks.
- The deal aligns with Rubrik’s ambition to become a multi-product, multi-generational company.
What’s the Story? Why This Move Matters Now
Rubrik, a leader in cloud data management and ransomware recovery, is now making a serious play in artificial intelligence. On Wednesday, the company confirmed it’s buying Predibase, a startup launched in 2021 by ex-Uber AI engineers known for building scalable machine learning infrastructure.
The deal—valued at over $100 million, according to insiders—marks Rubrik’s entrance into a more advanced layer of the AI market. This isn’t about building just another chatbot; it’s about empowering enterprises to create intelligent systems using their own data—securely, cost-effectively, and at scale.
With over $1 billion in annual recurring revenue and a successful IPO under its belt, Rubrik is betting that the future of enterprise value lies in custom AI agents tailored to organizational knowledge.
Who Is Predibase, and What Do They Do?
Predibase is a 25-person startup based in San Francisco, co-founded by Travis Addair and Piero Molino, both of whom helped develop Uber’s AI systems—some of which are now industry standards.
Predibase offers a low-code platform that lets companies easily train and deploy large language models (LLMs) on their internal data without needing massive teams of data scientists.
Clients already using Predibase include:
- Checkr (background checks)
- Marsh McLennan (professional services)
- Qualcomm (semiconductors)
This track record gives Rubrik not only access to cutting-edge technology, but also to clients already embedding AI into mission-critical workflows.
How the Acquisition Fits Into Rubrik’s Bigger Picture
Rubrik’s CEO Bipul Sinha says this acquisition supports the company’s goal of becoming a “multi-product, multi-generational company.” That means Rubrik doesn’t just want to secure your data—it wants to unlock its full potential with AI.
“Our customers want to build AI agents that interact with their data securely and cost-effectively,” Sinha explained. “Predibase gives us that capability.”
Predibase will continue to function independently, enabling it to:
- Connect to third-party data sources (Amazon S3, Snowflake, Databricks, Google Cloud)
- Ingest Rubrik’s Annapurna data for advanced model training
- Deploy models on cloud infrastructure with optimal cost-performance balance
In short: it’s AI power without the chaos or cost of building everything from scratch.
Why Now? Market Timing & Competitive Advantage
Rubrik’s timing couldn’t be better. AI infrastructure is booming:
- Cloud providers are raking in billions by renting NVIDIA GPUs.
- AI leaders like Anthropic and OpenAI are growing through B2B partnerships.
- Enterprises are shifting focus from generic AI tools to custom AI built on proprietary data.
That’s where Rubrik comes in—with its rich experience in handling sensitive enterprise data, it now has the tech stack to turn that data into intelligent action.
According to market analysts, companies that can securely deploy private AI models have a massive edge. With cybersecurity risks rising and generative AI going mainstream, businesses want AI tools that don’t expose them to data breaches or regulatory backlash.
Expert Insight: What the AI Community Thinks
Industry watchers see this move as a smart step by Rubrik.
- Sarah Guo, founder at Conviction VC, commented,
“The next frontier isn’t AI—it’s secure, customized AI. Rubrik’s move is both defensive and offensive.” - Deloitte’s 2024 AI Adoption Survey found that 67% of enterprises say “security and cost-efficiency” are their top barriers to adopting AI. This deal directly addresses both.
What’s Next?
Expect Rubrik to:
- Roll out AI-driven products for enterprise workflows over the next year
- Market Predibase as a plug-and-play solution for enterprise AI deployment
- Push into verticals like finance, healthcare, and public sector, where data privacy is critical
Predibase, with its lean team and flexible platform, is expected to accelerate Rubrik’s product development—especially in sectors needing AI that doesn’t compromise security.
Conclusion
Rubrik’s acquisition of Predibase isn’t just a buyout—it’s a blueprint for the next wave of enterprise AI. In a world where organizations are sitting on mountains of data, the winners will be those who can turn that data into intelligent action—without losing control over security or cost.
And with this deal, Rubrik is putting itself squarely at the center of that transformation.