# Databricks acquires Row Zero, plans more deals

> Data platform Databricks bought spreadsheet startup Row Zero and signalled an aggressive acquisition strategy for 2026.
- Title: Databricks acquires Row Zero, plans more deals · TechCrunch
- Summary: Data platform Databricks bought spreadsheet startup Row Zero and signalled an aggressive acquisition strategy for 2026. Databricks acquired spreadsheet…
- Keywords: databricks, row zero, acquisition, spreadsheet, ai agents, genie, ali ghodsi, technology, startups, acquires, Row, Zero
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/24/databricks-buys-row-zero-and-is-scouting-for-more-startups-to-acquire
- Author: Julie Bort
- Published: 2026-09-24T17:07:55+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: databricks, row zero, acquisition, spreadsheet, ai agents, genie, ali ghodsi, technology, startups
## Databricks buys Row Zero
Data platform Databricks announced on Thursday that it has acquired Row Zero, an early-stage cloud spreadsheet startup that can scale beyond one million live spreadsheet rows.
## Why Databricks wanted it
Databricks' finance team discovered Row Zero could integrate with Genie, the company's AI agent that lets users ask natural-language questions about data, such as analyzing profit margins or sales prospect status.
## The strategic fit
By combining spreadsheets with AI agents and business intelligence, enterprises can manipulate secure data in familiar spreadsheet format rather than transferring it to insecure shared spreadsheets or learning new software.

> Spreadsheets are one such interface that every business analyst loves. So it makes a lot of sense to intermarry Business Intelligence (BI), Agents, and Spreadsheets!
## Row Zero's background
Row Zero was founded by former AWS and Tableau engineers. The startup raised ten million dollars in May twenty twenty-five at an estimated forty million dollar valuation, according to PitchBook.
## Databricks on an acquisition spree
Databricks closed five billion dollars in funding in August and hit seven billion dollars in annualized revenue run rate. CEO Ali Ghodsi told TechCrunch the company intends to do many more acquisitions like this in the future.

> We intend to do many more acquisitions like this in the future.
## Recent acquisition history
In twenty twenty-six, Databricks bought Quotient AI and SiftD.ai in March, Panther in June, and Electric in August. The company is actively shopping for more startups to acquire.
## Key takeaway

Databricks acquired spreadsheet startup Row Zero to integrate cloud spreadsheets with its AI agent Genie, and CEO Ali Ghodsi said the company plans many more acquisitions.