Version 1 becomes €500m behemoth with CreateFuture acquisition

The buyout adds 550 staff and strengthens the VAR’s AI offering

Version 1 has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase CreateFuture to strengthen its private sector presence and boost its AI capabilities.

The acquisition brings 550 employees working with clients in highly regulated industries, including iGaming, financial services and utilities, creating a combined entity of 4,250 employees with annual revenues of more than €500m (£433.1m).

It also complements Version 1’s private sector footprint and enhances its AI capabilities.

Edinburgh-HQ CreateFuture is a practitioner-led, AI-native partner to large enterprise clients, focused on iGaming and other sectors.

Together, the unified business will reportedly deliver AI-driven digital transformation programmes at scale across complex, regulated environments in both public and private sectors.

The Scottish firm’s leadership team will remain in place following the buyout.

“This acquisition is a strong strategic fit for Version 1, strengthening our capabilities and expanding the markets we serve,” said Roop Singh, CEO at Version 1.

“CreateFuture is an exceptional business, with high-calibre talent, deep client relationships and sector expertise that directly complements our own.

“This is a growth acquisition and reflects exactly where we are as a business – confident in our people, clear on our strategy and ready for what comes next.”

Euan Andrews, founder of CreateFuture, added: “[This acquisition] enables us to better serve our clients with enhanced capability and scale, while unlocking significant opportunities for our team members.”

This marks the organisation’s first M&A move since its takeover of UK-based Farsight Consulting in 2024.

The announcement comes as Version 1 has stepped up its focus on AI over the past year.

Last month, it launched a new Dublin HQ and AI Studio, alongside announcing 250 new roles across its operations.

The AI Studio is designed as a space to develop solutions to complex problems alongside customers across sectors.

It also follows a period of leadership changes for the Dublin-based company, as Roop Singh took the helm of Version 1 in June.

In an interview with CRN, he said his three-to-five-year plan is to ensure the organisation “remains strong and sustainable by investing in people, technology and innovation.”

Earlier this month, the firm also hired Sarita Sudera as chief commercial officer.

David Churchill joined as chief people officer in October.

The company’s UK arm ranks number 39 on CRN’s Top VARs list.