Snowflake is poised to enhance its PostgreSQL database services through the acquisition of Crunchy Data, a notable provider of open-source PostgreSQL technology, products, and support services. This strategic move aims to bolster Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud platform, introducing Snowflake Postgres, an “AI-ready, enterprise-grade and developer-friendly” PostgreSQL database.
With this acquisition, developers will gain access to the full capabilities of PostgreSQL, integrated with the governance, security, and operational standards essential for developing and managing mission-critical AI applications. The announcement coincides with the upcoming Snowflake Summit 2025, where industry leaders will gather in San Francisco.
Vivek Raghunathan, Snowflake’s senior vice president of engineering, articulated the company’s vision: “Our goal is to provide the most trusted and comprehensive data and AI platform. The acquisition of Crunchy Data is a significant step towards making Snowflake the ultimate destination for enterprise data and AI solutions.” He emphasized the vast market opportunity, estimated at 0 billion, and the pressing need for PostgreSQL integration within the Snowflake AI Data Cloud.
PostgreSQL has gained popularity as an open-source database for developing data-intensive applications, including those leveraging AI technologies. It is maintained by the PostgreSQL Global Development Group and is available under a free and open-source software license. Many commercial databases, such as EDB Postgres AI and Amazon Web Services’ Relational Database Service, are built on PostgreSQL, which is utilized by nearly half of all developers, according to the 2024 Stack Overflow developer survey.
Founded in 2012 and based in Charleston, S.C., Crunchy Data offers a diverse product portfolio, including Crunchy Bridge, a fully managed PostgreSQL database on major cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Their offerings also include self-managed editions tailored for various deployment scenarios, such as Crunchy Postgres for Kubernetes and Crunchy Hardened Postgres, designed for advanced security needs. Recently, Crunchy Data introduced the Crunchy Data Warehouse, further expanding its capabilities.
Paul Laurence, co-founder of Crunchy Data, expressed the company’s commitment to becoming the preferred Postgres solution for enterprises, highlighting their focus on stringent security and compliance, which has earned them trust among clients in regulated industries, including federal agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
Snowflake has identified several competitive advantages in Crunchy Data’s offerings, including essential performance metrics, robust scaling capabilities, and a user-friendly interface. The company also noted Crunchy Data’s proven success in FedRAMP compliant environments as a valuable asset in this acquisition.
Integrating Crunchy Data’s Technology
Upon completion of the acquisition, Snowflake plans to integrate Crunchy Data’s technology into its Snowflake Postgres offering, streamlining the entire lifecycle of building, deploying, and operating enterprise PostgreSQL workloads. Snowflake Postgres is expected to enter private preview shortly.
Chris Burchett, senior vice president of generative AI at Blue Yonder, highlighted the significance of this integration for their supply chain data management solutions, stating that the inclusion of PostgreSQL technology within the Snowflake ecosystem will enhance development efforts and customer benefits.
Dan Mahoney, CEO of LandingAI, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the potential impact of direct access to a PostgreSQL database within Snowflake. He noted that this integration is crucial for simplifying the development and deployment of AI applications on the Snowflake platform.
Snowflake’s Postgres offerings are seen as a significant advancement in supporting transactional data, building on the foundation laid by Unistore, which merges transactional and analytical data within a single database. Snowflake Postgres is positioned to complement Unistore by providing an enterprise-ready solution for applications requiring PostgreSQL compatibility.
While the terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, a report from CNBC suggested a price tag of approximately 0 million. The completion of the deal is contingent upon obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and meeting customary closing conditions. Snowflake has also committed to supporting the existing Crunchy Data customer base and fostering a strong relationship with the Postgres community.
