Google buys cloud company Looker for $2.6 billion

Google is set to acquire Looker in what will be its new cloud chief’s first major acquisition in his tenure. Google said it will buy Looker for $2.6 billion in cash.

Former Oracle executive Thomas Kurian joined Google Cloud as its new CEO in November, replacing former CEO Diane Greene. Kurian indicated at a conference in February he is looking to invest and expand the business significantly, saying,  “You will see us accelerate the growth even faster than we have to date.”

The purchase of Looker will add a new analytics tool for Google Cloud’s customers. Google said the technology will help its customers analyze their data in a consistent way across different sources.

Google parent company Alphabet has already invested in Looker through its venture fund, Capital G. It will be Google’s biggest acquisition since it bought home automation company Nest, another Alphabet-funded company, for $3.2 billion in 2014.

This story is developing.

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