Accenture Buys Stake in Japanese Data Science Firm Albert

Professional services business Accenture has acquired a major stake in Japanese data science company Albert Inc. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Tokyo-based Albert offers AI and big data analytics services, AI-based algorithm development and implementation consulting, and data science training support, primarily to major corporations in Japan. Specialisms include statistical analysis, data mining, text analysis, marketing research, and image analysis.

As part of the deal, Albert's data science team comprising 250 permanent employees and contractors will join Accenture's Applied Intelligence practice. The acquisition is Accenture's latest step to further strengthen its services in Japan, following Accenture's recently launched data-driven offers, including to forecast business scenarios and propose actions to improve the forecasts, and to support clients' ESG (environment, society, and corporate governance) practices.

Accenture has acquired Albert through a tender offer, and the number of Albert's common shares and stock acquisition rights tendered to Accenture, is equal to two thirds of the company's stock. Commenting on the takeover, Accenture says it expects to purchase all remaining shares and stock acquisition rights in the coming months, after which, Albert will be delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The deal follows Accenture's acquisitions of Analytics8 in Australia; Sentelis in France; Bridgei2i and Byte Prophecy in India; Pragsis Bidoop in Spain; Mudano in the UK; and Clarity Insights, End-to-End Analytics, and Core Compete in the US. Albert CEO and President Takeshi Matsumoto (pictured) comments: 'Albert's philosophy is to connect the world with data science and co-create new value for a better future. By joining Accenture, our team can drive even more value for clients and accelerate the implementation of AI in society.'

Web sites: www.accenture.com and www.albert2005.co.jp .