ThoughtWorks Acquires Fourkind to further ML-Data Science Capabilities

ThoughtWorks, a global software consultancy, has announced its second acquisition in 2021. The IT company has agreed to acquire Fourkind, a Finnish consulting services firm. The latter combines machine learning and data science with strategy, design and engineering. Founded in 2017 in Helsinki, the company now has a 40-strong team of data scientists, machine learning experts, designers, engineers and strategists. It has also worked with 80+ organizations in 10+ countries.

This acquisition aims to grow Fourkind and expand ThoughtWorks’ European footprint. Further, Fourkind’s 40 employees will continue to operate from their existing premises in Helsinki and Amsterdam. Also, the founders and leadership team will remain in post after the acquisition to grow and evolve the business.

From the leaders

Guo Xiao, President and CEO, ThoughtWorks stated that Fourkind will help TW grow in key strategic focus areas. They are data, digital transformation, enterprise modernization and customer experience. He further added, “The Fourkind team’s blend of machine learning, data science, strategy, design and engineering has helped their clients lower the perceived risk of adopting new approaches to artificial intelligence. We believe that our complementary strengths and culture make Fourkind and ThoughtWorks a winning combination.”

According to Xiao, what impressed him the most was the company's track record. “They delivered a significant return on investment for their clients’ AI and machine learning investments,” he outlined. The words of Jonne Heikkinen compliment his idea. He states, that Fourkind aimed to help forward-looking organizations create futureproof services and products.

“We are most well known for groundbreaking innovation in utilizing machine learning in ways that are breaking boundaries; of what people previously considered possible. We believe that ThoughtWorks will offer us the opportunity to grow faster and also help become a part of an agile and successful global team of like-minded passionate technologists who want to make an extraordinary impact in the world,” he said. Jonne Heikkinen is the Managing Director & one of the founding partners of Fourkind.