San Diego AI Powerhouse Targets $6 Billion Merger with Rival
The Merger of Two Giants in Sales Enablement
San Diego-based AI company Seismic has made headlines by announcing its merger with Highspot, a long-time competitor in the sales enablement space. This strategic move aims to integrate their platforms, which leverage artificial intelligence analytics to help businesses operate more efficiently and effectively.
Both companies have achieved valuations exceeding $3 billion and will continue to operate under the Seismic brand, led by Rob Tarkoff, who has been the CEO of Seismic for the past four months. Robert Wahbe, the founder and CEO of Highspot, will join the board of directors. Tarkoff emphasized the growing need for technologies that align sales strategy with execution, especially in today’s dynamic market environment.
Seismic has not provided specific details about the merger, including its implications for San Diego, potential layoffs, or the structure of the deal. However, the collaboration between these two industry leaders is expected to create a more streamlined approach to sales enablement.
Understanding Revenue Enablement Tools
Revenue enablement tools are designed to provide businesses with insights on how to grow and optimize their operations. While both companies dominate this space, they each offer slightly different functionalities. Seismic can be likened to "Google for work," allowing sales teams to ask questions about products and accounts, as well as analyze their performance. On the other hand, Highspot functions as a sales coach, using AI to monitor customer interactions and content, then offering guidance on next steps.
Robert Looney, a sales and revenue enablement consultant based in Oregon, expressed his surprise at the merger, noting that the combination could significantly benefit users. He pointed out that while there may be overlapping areas, merging the two platforms could reduce complexity and friction for sales teams already managing multiple tools.
Looney, who spent nearly 20 years at Intel in a leadership role, has experience with both systems. He highlighted the potential for consolidation to simplify decision-making for sellers, making it easier to navigate the vast array of available tools.
Expanding Customer Base and Market Reach
Seismic currently serves over 2,000 enterprise customers, including notable names such as Uber, UPS, IBM, Illumina, and Oracle. Highspot's client list includes DocuSign, Workday, Siemens, and Adobe. This merger is expected to strengthen their combined market presence and enhance their ability to meet the evolving needs of their clients.
The global sales enablement platform market is projected to reach $12.78 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. With increased demand comes greater investment, although both companies have kept their financial details private.
Highspot recently achieved a valuation of $3.65 billion, according to PitchBook data from 2022. Their most recent investment, announced in February 2025, was led by Ritual Capital and West Coast Equity Partners for an undisclosed amount, marking a significant milestone in their growth journey.
Seismic, valued at $3 billion, was founded in 2010 by five individuals in Solana Beach working out of a basement. By 2018, it had become the most valuable tech startup in San Diego, achieving a valuation of $1 billion and earning the title of unicorn.
Strategic Growth and Expansion
Since its inception, Seismic has aggressively raised venture capital, expanded its local workforce, acquired other fast-growing tech companies, and established over 10 offices worldwide. Permira, a European private equity fund, has remained the controlling shareholder of the company following the merger.
This merger represents a significant step forward for both companies, combining their strengths to create a more powerful and cohesive solution for businesses seeking to enhance their sales strategies. As the market continues to evolve, the integration of Seismic and Highspot is poised to set new standards in the sales enablement industry.
