Persistent Systems has collaborated with Databricks and the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) to strengthen the enterprise AI engineering talent pipeline. Announced on June 4, 2026, the initiative focuses on advancing AI-first execution through hands-on exposure to governed systems, scalable workflows, and production-grade enterprise architectures. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic AI learning and real-world implementation by equipping students with practical skills required for production-scale AI deployments.

AI Hackathon at the Core of the Initiative

Developed in collaboration with the MSOE AI Club, Persistent anchored a Databricks-powered AI Hackathon to scale AI delivery capabilities. The program provided students the opportunity to work directly with AI professionals, utilizing the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform and the Databricks University Alliance. Participants gained experience in modern analytics, Generative AI, and operational AI deployments, with a specific emphasis on operational scalability, governance, reliability, and engineering discipline.

Students worked across the AI lifecycle using several specific technologies during the initiative. The curriculum included practical application of Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Agent Bricks, and Databricks Workflows, allowing participants to develop skills in scalable AI pipelines, governed data environments, AI orchestration, and production-ready AI architectures. Persistent's senior architects and project leads mentored participants to integrate architectural thinking and governance frameworks into the learning process.

Strategic Partnership and Industry Expertise

The collaboration strengthens Persistent's engagement with MSOE, an institution recognized for applied AI and engineering education, and is part of Persistent's broader strategic partnership with Databricks. As a Global Systems Integrator partner, Persistent brings over 1,300 Databricks experts and 950+ certifications to the table, alongside proprietary accelerators such as the iAURA suite, to help enterprises modernize data foundations and scale AI adoption.

Leadership Perspectives

Sameer Dixit, Corporate Vice President and Head of Data, AI and Integration at Persistent, highlighted the strategic intent behind the move. He stated that the shift from isolated pilots to enterprise-wide operationalization demands engineers fluent in governed data and scalable platforms. Dixit noted that the initiative extends the company's hackathon DNA, referencing its flagship global annual hackathon 'Semicolons', into academia to sustain innovation.

Leadership from the partner organizations also emphasized the importance of integrating industry platforms with academic innovation. John Young, Global Managing Director – Partner Solution Architects at Databricks, pointed out that preparing talent to work in unified data and AI environments is critical. Derek Riley, PhD, Professor and Program Director of Computer Science at MSOE, added that the support from Persistent and Databricks has been transformative for the MSOE AI Club, providing students with the motivation and perspective needed to navigate a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Source: https://lodr-files.dhan.co/lodr-inputs/Company/INE262H01021/7da05bd98f104a81.pdf

Persistent Systems has announced the expansion of its Eastern European presence through the integration of a specialized team of more than 90 professionals from Concise, a Tallinn-headquartered software engineering and IT consulting company. The transaction, executed through the company's step-down subsidiary PerSys Estonia OÜ, involves a total consideration of EUR 5.6M and is expected to close within 4 to 8 weeks. This strategic move is designed to strengthen Persistent's nearshore delivery capabilities and enhance its ability to support AI-enabled enterprise operations and large-scale digital infrastructure modernization for clients globally.

Strategic Rationale and Expansion

The integration establishes strategic delivery centers in Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia, leveraging the country's advanced digital ecosystem and deep technology talent base. This expansion aims to bolster Persistent's capacity in AI-led product engineering, distributed systems, and cloud-native technologies. The acquired team brings specialized experience in supporting large-scale digital environments across mobility, logistics, smart infrastructure, and payments. The initiative also seeks to deepen the company's relationship with a strategic customer in the enterprise mobility segment by providing stronger regional engagement and governance alignment.

Transaction Structure

The acquisition follows a Business Purchase Agreement signed on May 28, 2026, and includes the purchase of assets, assumption of liabilities, and the transfer of select employees and contractors. The consideration structure features a cash payment, including a deferred component of EUR 1.5M payable over two years. The transaction is not a related party transaction, and no governmental or regulatory approvals are required. The acquired business generates an estimated annual revenue of EUR 11.6M.

Key Transaction Details