Accenture invests in GoUpscale to enhance digital client engagement in wealth management

New York and Singapore, April 14, 2025 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has announced an investment in GoUpscale, a content engagement technology company that supports wealth management firms across Asia in transforming their digital communication strategies. The investment was made through Accenture Ventures.

Wealth management firms in Asia are aiming to double their assets under management to approximately $260 trillion by 2026, with 95% of this growth expected to be driven by relationship managers. As digital experiences become critical to customer engagement, GoUpscale’s AI-powered platform offers tools to convert traditional materials—like brochures and market reports—into interactive, digital-first experiences.

David Wilson, head of Accenture’s wealth management practice in Asia, emphasized the importance of scaling human interaction without significantly increasing costs. He noted that GoUpscale helps relationship managers deliver personalized content that fosters deeper client engagement.

Dominic Gamble, CEO and co-founder of GoUpscale, said the Accenture investment will allow the company to expand its AI capabilities, improve its platform, and reach more firms focused on enhancing client experiences.

The partnership will also enable GoUpscale to join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, giving it access to Accenture’s enterprise clients and AI resources. Together, the companies aim to deliver personalized, engaging content that could drive 6–8% annual revenue growth for wealth management firms.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

For more information, visit accenture.com or thenext.goupscale.com.

Fincantieri and Accenture Launch Joint Venture to Digitally Transform Shipbuilding and Ports

Fincantieri and Accenture have launched a new joint venture, Fincantieri Ingenium, aimed at accelerating digital transformation in the cruise, defense, and port logistics sectors. Owned 70% by Fincantieri NexTech and 30% by Accenture, the venture will develop AI-driven services and platforms, including the Navis Sapiens ecosystem for next-generation ships. It also seeks to enhance ship-to-shore connectivity and sustainability through data optimization. The first Navis Sapiens-equipped ship is expected to enter service by the end of 2025.

CyberArk and Accenture Partner to Enhance Identity Security for AI Agents

CyberArk and Accenture announced a partnership to integrate Accenture’s AI Refinery with CyberArk’s Identity Security Platform. The collaboration aims to help enterprises securely manage AI agents by enforcing Zero Trust principles. As AI agents increasingly perform autonomous tasks, the integration will provide tools for secure authentication, access controls, and lifecycle management of AI identities.

The initiative addresses growing cybersecurity risks posed by AI-driven systems by enhancing visibility, enforcing least-privilege access, and protecting against misuse. According to Accenture, 77% of executives believe AI agents will transform digital systems, underscoring the urgency of securing their integration into enterprise environments.

Accenture Federal Services and Google Launch AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solution for U.S. Government Agencies

Accenture Federal Services introduced a new AI-powered Managed Extended Detection and Response (MxDR) solution for government, developed in partnership with Google Public Sector. Unveiled at Google Cloud Next 2025, this solution integrates Google Security Operations (SecOps) with Accenture’s federal cybersecurity frameworks, providing real-time threat detection, intuitive analysis tools, and automated response capabilities tailored to federal needs.

The solution utilizes generative AI to simplify security investigations, reduce response times, and enhance detection accuracy. With FedRAMP High Authorization, it also supports federal cybersecurity compliance standards. Leaders from both companies emphasized that the partnership empowers agencies to combat evolving cyber threats efficiently while enabling secure digital modernization.

MxDR for government is now available and aims to strengthen cyber resilience across federal mission areas.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Partners with Accenture to Drive AI-Powered Digital Transformation

Malabar Gold & Diamonds announced a collaboration with Accenture to transform its global operations through an AI-driven, cloud-enabled digital core. With over 380 showrooms across 13 countries, the world’s sixth-largest jewelry retailer aims to enhance customer and employee experiences, boost agility, and unlock new avenues of growth.

Accenture will develop a scalable and secure platform to streamline core business functions such as finance, manufacturing, supply chain, and retail. The system will leverage real-time data to dynamically adjust sales, marketing, and fulfillment based on the availability and pricing of precious metals and stones, improving both online and in-store shopping experiences.

Designed to comply with local trade regulations, the platform will also support employee adoption strategies to foster a data-driven culture. Malabar's vice chairman, Abdul Salam K.P, emphasized the company's commitment to innovation and service enhancement through digital technologies.

Accenture's Amneet Singh highlighted that companies investing in digital cores see significantly higher growth and profits. This collaboration is expected to increase operational efficiency, responsiveness, and innovation for Malabar Gold & Diamonds, helping it navigate ongoing industry challenges and customer demands.

The partnership reflects Malabar’s broader commitment to ESG goals and sustainable business practices while reinforcing its vision to become a future-ready global retailer.

Accenture and Schaeffler Unveil Future of Industrial Automation with Humanoid Robots and AI

Accenture and Schaeffler AG revealed their latest collaboration at Hannover Messe 2025, showcasing how advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and simulation technologies from NVIDIA and Microsoft can transform industrial automation. The initiative features the use of general-purpose humanoid robots like Agility Robotics’ Digit and Sanctuary AI’s Phoenix, alongside Schaeffler’s own mobile cobot EMMA.

Through digital twins and AI-powered simulations built on NVIDIA Omniverse, the project enables real-time planning, testing, and optimization of factory layouts, robot operations, and human-robot collaboration. These simulations help reduce setup times and identify the best degree of automation per facility.

The partnership also demonstrates how physical AI—robots trained via imitation learning using vision-based systems like NVIDIA Metropolis—can handle tasks such as transporting materials and assembling spare part kits. These scenarios are fed into Microsoft Fabric, enabling site managers to monitor performance and resolve issues with the help of generative AI tools.

The proof-of-concept includes work at Schaeffler’s Schweinfurt production site, where AI-powered assistants allow staff to interact with simulations using natural language and voice commands. Accenture’s research predicts that AMRs and humanoid robots will become standard in factories in the near future.

This initiative positions Accenture and Schaeffler at the forefront of digital transformation in manufacturing, combining technology, innovation, and human-machine synergy to pave the way for the smart factories of tomorrow.

Accenture and Siemens Launch Joint Business Group to Transform Engineering and Manufacturing

Accenture and Siemens announced on March 31, 2025, the formation of the Accenture Siemens Business Group, a strategic collaboration aimed at transforming engineering and manufacturing through a combination of automation, industrial AI, and software solutions. Unveiled at Hannover Messe 2025, the new group plans to scale to 7,000 professionals globally and will integrate Siemens' industrial technologies with Accenture's expertise in data and AI.

The joint business group will develop and deliver solutions that enable software-defined products and factories, targeting industries such as aerospace and defense, automotive, electronics, heavy equipment, semiconductors, and consumer goods. The group will also offer services for engineering model reinvention, product lifecycle management, software-defined vehicle development, real-time manufacturing execution, and cybersecurity in operational technology.

Accenture and Siemens highlighted past successes with clients such as KION, where they unified engineering processes using Siemens Teamcenter, and Navantia, where they developed a digital twin platform that reduced design and manufacturing costs by 20 percent.

The collaboration will also incorporate agentic AI capabilities to enhance productivity and automate engineering processes. These solutions will be supported by Accenture’s Industry X digital platforms and Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio, helping clients increase efficiency, lower costs, and accelerate innovation across their value chains.

Accenture reported strong financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, with broad-based revenue growth across geographic markets, industry groups, and types of work. Key highlights include new bookings of $20.9 billion, revenues of $16.7 billion (a 5% increase in U.S. dollars and 8.5% in local currency), and a 7% increase in diluted earnings per share to $2.82. The company also recorded $1.4 billion in generative AI bookings.

For fiscal 2025, Accenture narrowed its full-year revenue growth outlook to 5%-7% in local currency, with an expected operating margin of 15.6%-15.7%. The company anticipates diluted EPS in the range of $12.55-$12.79. Accenture also increased its quarterly cash dividend by 15% to $1.48 per share and repurchased 4.0 million shares for $1.4 billion during the quarter.

By geographic region, revenues grew by 9% in the Americas, 4% in EMEA, and declined by 3% in Asia Pacific. Across industry groups, Financial Services (7%), Health & Public Service (8%), and Products (6%) showed strong growth. Consulting revenues increased by 3%, while Managed Services revenues grew by 8%.

Accenture’s free cash flow for the quarter was $2.68 billion, and its total cash balance reached $8.5 billion. The company expects third-quarter revenues to be between $16.9 billion and $17.5 billion, with local currency growth of 3%-7%.

Accenture has expanded its AI Refinery platform with an AI agent builder, allowing business users to create and customize AI agents without coding. This enhancement aims to accelerate agentic AI adoption by enabling organizations to rapidly adapt to changing business needs and market conditions.

The company is also developing over 50 industry-specific AI agent solutions, with plans to reach 100 by the end of the year. These solutions, built using NVIDIA AI Enterprise and its reasoning models, are designed to streamline business processes in industries such as telecommunications, financial services, and insurance. Some of the early adopters include ESPN, HPE, Noli, and the United Nations, which are leveraging AI Refinery for various applications, including fan engagement, procurement management, beauty shopping recommendations, and multilingual research agents.

The industry-specific AI agent solutions will help enterprises automate and enhance critical functions. For example, call centers can use AI-powered agent assist tools to improve response times and accuracy, while insurance companies can streamline underwriting processes through AI-driven risk assessment. Other solutions focus on optimizing finance operations, automating credit sales intelligence for banking, and improving supply chain efficiency.

Accenture’s partnership with NVIDIA plays a crucial role in these advancements, integrating NVIDIA’s reasoning models to enhance AI agents' decision-making capabilities. The AI Refinery platform is available across public and private cloud environments, ensuring seamless integration with enterprise workflows.

Accenture's expansion into agentic AI underscores its commitment to helping businesses leverage AI for digital transformation. By enabling AI-driven automation and decision-making, the company aims to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer experiences across multiple industries.

Accenture has partnered with the Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) to launch an enterprise-wide data and AI training program for bank employees. This initiative makes CBD the first bank in the UAE to implement a large-scale data literacy program, allowing employees to earn certifications in data and AI.

Named "CBD AI and Data for the Future," the program is designed to equip CBD employees with essential digital skills to navigate the financial sector's rapid digital transformation. The training will be delivered through Udacity, a division of Accenture, offering interactive learning experiences, expert-led sessions, tech talks, and personalized mentoring. The program focuses on data management, analytics, and AI applications, ensuring that employees gain hands-on experience and are job-ready.

Max Di Gregorio, Managing Director at Accenture in the Middle East, highlighted the program's role in helping CBD improve its operations and customer services by embracing digital advancements. Ali Imran, CBD’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that this initiative modernizes the workplace, fosters innovation, and strengthens the bank’s competitive position in the GCC region.

The partnership aligns with the UAE’s vision for AI leadership and reinforces CBD’s commitment to digital transformation, economic progress, and enhanced customer experience.

Accenture has invested in OPAQUE, a confidential AI platform, to enhance secure AI and data solutions. The investment aims to help enterprises run AI workloads on encrypted data while ensuring privacy, compliance, and data sovereignty. OPAQUE's platform will be integrated into Accenture’s AI Refinery and Trusted Data Services, enabling secure AI deployment without exposure risks.

A recent Accenture survey found that while 97% of business leaders see generative AI as transformative, 48% lack high-quality data to operationalize it. OPAQUE’s technology addresses this challenge by allowing businesses to utilize sensitive data securely.

OPAQUE will also join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, providing access to Accenture’s expertise and enterprise clients. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

For more details, visit accenture.com.

Accenture is collaborating with Air France-KLM to transition the airline group’s digital applications to the cloud, moving away from its three proprietary data centers. This multi-year initiative aims to enhance operational agility, optimize resource availability in real time, and strengthen business resilience through cloud, data, and AI, including generative AI.

As part of this transformation, Accenture and Air France-KLM have developed a common operating model with a governance process, enabling Accenture to co-lead the project. A cloud migration factory has been established, using predefined processes and reusable templates to facilitate the simultaneous migration and transformation of applications. So far, 350 applications have been successfully deployed, ensuring faster time-to-market and greater operational efficiency.

The new cloud infrastructure improves resilience by allowing real-time access to information, supporting data-driven decision-making, and fostering stronger collaboration. Its scalability was successfully tested during a recent sales campaign in France and the Netherlands, where it provided rapid access to resources.

Sabine Bechelani, managing director for Travel and client account lead at Accenture, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in building resilience and growth opportunities through cloud and AI. Pierre-Olivier Bandet, executive vice president of Information Systems at Air France-KLM, emphasized that the partnership will enhance agility and performance across the organization, optimizing decision-making and improving the travel experience for millions of customers.

This initiative underscores Accenture’s expertise in digital transformation, cloud solutions, and AI-driven operational enhancements, reinforcing its role in helping clients compete and innovate in complex markets.
ACCENTURE

Accenture and CrowdStrike have announced a collaboration to enhance cybersecurity operations through AI-driven solutions. By integrating Accenture’s security services with the CrowdStrike Falcon platform, the partnership aims to improve security operations, threat exposure management, and AI workload protection while reducing operational costs.

As businesses transition to cloud and AI-enabled operations, managing security threats has become more complex. The collaboration will streamline security operations workflows, enhance threat detection and response, and improve overall cybersecurity resilience. WHSmith, a global travel retailer, has already adopted these solutions to strengthen its security across its global operations.

Key benefits of the partnership include:
- Security operations modernization through AI-powered threat prevention and detection.
- Managed detection and response services to investigate and counter cyber threats efficiently.
- Continuous threat exposure management to streamline vulnerability detection and response.

The partnership promises cost savings and improved efficiency, with up to 60% workflow optimization for security operations. Accenture and CrowdStrike’s combined expertise will help businesses transition from legacy security tools to an AI-native security operations center.

Accenture has announced its acquisition of Soben, a Glasgow-based construction consultancy firm specializing in data center development, pharmaceuticals, and energy. This move aims to enhance Accenture’s capital projects capabilities, particularly in advisory, cost management, and project execution.

Soben, with a team of 250 professionals, serves clients across Europe, the US, Mexico, Brazil, India, and Australia. It collaborates with major data center providers and offers services such as project management, cost consultancy, and carbon cost management. The firm will be integrated into Accenture’s Industry X infrastructure and capital projects division.

Accenture’s research highlights challenges in capital projects, including stakeholder scrutiny, supply chain issues, and cybersecurity risks. Only 6% of surveyed organizations complete projects on or ahead of schedule, while two-thirds face delays, increasing costs by an average of 29%. With global data center investment projected to exceed $200 billion annually over the next five years, the acquisition of Soben strengthens Accenture’s ability to support clients in this high-demand sector.

Accenture has been expanding its infrastructure and capital projects business globally. Previous acquisitions include Anser Advisory in the US, Comtech in Canada, BOSLAN in Spain, and IQT Group in Italy. The acquisition of Soben further solidifies Accenture’s position in Europe and the UK. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Accenture Ventures has invested in Aaru, an AI-powered prediction engine that simulates consumer behavior to enhance customer experiences and accelerate business decision-making. Aaru’s technology uses multi-agent AI systems to generate precise behavioral simulations, reducing reliance on traditional research methods like surveys and focus groups. As part of this collaboration, Accenture Song will integrate Aaru’s Lumen model into its AI-driven products and services across marketing, customer strategy, and product development. The investment aims to expand Aaru’s capabilities to meet growing demand for AI-driven data analytics. Aaru’s CEO emphasized the potential of simulation in overcoming biases and scalability challenges in customer insights, while an Accenture executive highlighted the role of AI in anticipating customer needs and driving innovation.

Verizon Business and Accenture have formed a strategic partnership to enhance cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes. The collaboration will focus on identity and access management (IAM), managed extended detection and response (MxDR), and cyber risk services to help organizations detect, respond to, and recover from cyber threats.

Verizon's expertise in networking and security will be combined with Accenture’s capabilities in cyber risk management and technology solutions. The partnership aims to address increasing cybersecurity challenges, including data breaches, phishing attacks, and supply chain risks.

The initial phase will introduce new as-a-service cybersecurity offerings, with plans to co-develop additional solutions in the future. Industry analysts see this initiative as strengthening Verizon's competitive position in cybersecurity while aligning with growing market demand for comprehensive security services.

Accenture has completed the acquisition of IQT Group, an Italy-based provider of engineering managed services for large infrastructure projects. This acquisition, announced in December 2024, strengthens Accenture’s expertise in infrastructure and capital projects, particularly in net-zero initiatives.

The integration of IQT Group enhances Accenture’s capabilities in generative AI and digital transformation, helping clients efficiently plan, execute, and manage infrastructure projects. The move follows Accenture’s previous acquisitions of BOSLAN in Spain, Anser Advisory in the U.S., and Comtech in Canada.

In Italy, Accenture has also recently acquired Fibermind, Intellera Consulting, Ammagamma, Customer Management IT, and SirfinPA, expanding its services in network management, AI, public administration innovation, and security.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Accenture continues to expand its technology-driven solutions across industries, focusing on AI, analytics, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Accenture has announced an investment in Voltron Data to help organizations leverage GPU technology for large-scale data processing. The investment, made through Accenture Ventures, aims to support Voltron Data in accelerating analytics and enabling AI and machine learning applications.

Voltron Data’s core solution, Theseus, is a SQL query engine designed to process petabyte-scale data more efficiently than traditional CPU-based systems. By using GPUs and other hardware accelerators, Theseus can significantly reduce the time required to analyze large datasets. This is particularly relevant for industries such as banking and cybersecurity, where vast amounts of data are generated daily.

David Wood, Accenture’s Technology Consulting lead, emphasized the growing need for enterprises to process large datasets efficiently. By integrating Accenture’s expertise with Voltron Data’s platform, companies can unlock new business value. Michael Abbott, Accenture’s Banking & Capital Markets lead, noted that financial institutions can use Theseus to optimize data processing, turning trapped data into AI-powered insights.

Voltron Data’s CEO, Craig Dunham, highlighted that the collaboration with Accenture will expand awareness and customer adoption of their technology. The investment also brings Voltron Data into Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, a vertical accelerator for AI and data companies.

The terms of the investment were not disclosed, but the partnership is expected to help organizations improve data processing capabilities while reducing costs and energy consumption.

Accenture has made a strategic investment in QuSecure, a leader in post-quantum cybersecurity, to enhance protection against future quantum computing threats. QuSecure's QuProtect software provides end-to-end quantum-security-as-a-service, integrating zero-trust, quantum-resilient technologies, and crypto agility to secure networks, cloud systems, edge devices, and satellite communications without disrupting existing systems.

This partnership supports Accenture's goal to future-proof global networks, aligning with NIST’s post-quantum encryption standards. QuSecure enables organizations to adopt "crypto agility," facilitating seamless updates to encryption protocols across systems.

Previously, Accenture and QuSecure collaborated on a successful multi-orbit data communications test secured with post-quantum cryptography. Additionally, Banco Sabadell utilized QuSecure's technology in a joint project to explore post-quantum cryptographic integration, strengthening defenses against emerging quantum threats.

QuSecure will join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, offering access to Accenture’s expertise and client network to scale its technology solutions. Terms of the investment remain undisclosed.

BCC Iccrea Group, Italy’s largest cooperative banking group, has partnered with Accenture to advance its IT transformation under the Group's IT reinvention plan led by BCC Sistemi Informatici. This plan includes an investment of over €300 million over three years to enhance core banking systems, expand digital offerings, and accelerate AI integration.

As part of the partnership, Accenture will support the modernization of digital platforms, data systems, and IT infrastructure, while also acquiring an equity stake in BCC Sistemi Informatici. The collaboration aims to improve efficiency, security, and personalized services for BCC's 114 member banks and customers.

BCC Iccrea Group’s General Manager, Mauro Pastore, emphasized the partnership’s role in strengthening innovation and ensuring sustainable growth. Accenture’s Massimiliano Colangelo highlighted the integration of advanced technologies such as cloud computing and AI to transform BCC’s systems and improve operational efficiency.

The initiative reflects Accenture’s commitment to innovation in the banking sector and its long-standing presence in the Italian market.

Telstra and Accenture have announced a proposed global AI joint venture aimed at accelerating Telstra's data and AI initiatives. This seven-year partnership, subject to employee and union consultation, will focus on modernizing Telstra's data and AI platforms, developing intelligent AI ecosystems, and embedding responsible AI by design.

The joint venture will bring together specialists from Telstra and Accenture, leveraging Accenture's $3 billion AI investment. It will support Telstra's efforts to streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and enhance workforce efficiency. Key initiatives include the use of agentic AI to optimize business processes, specialized AI tools to enhance workforce productivity, and fostering AI fluency across Telstra's teams.

The joint venture will consolidate Telstra's vendor support, reducing its data and AI providers from 18 to two key partnerships: Quantium Telstra and the proposed Accenture joint venture. This streamlined approach aims to enhance strategic alignment, accountability, and operational efficiency.

Accenture will own 60% of the joint venture, with Telstra retaining 40% ownership and control over its data and AI strategy. The partnership reflects Telstra's commitment to leveraging AI for seamless connectivity and improved customer experiences, while Accenture's global expertise aims to propel Telstra's AI-driven transformation.