Databricks has acquired Seattle-based spreadsheet developer Row Zero, expanding its Genie AI assistant with a familiar interface for enterprise users to analyze large datasets. The acquisition will allow business teams to work with live corporate data through spreadsheets while maintaining the governance controls of the Databricks platform.

Founded in 2021 by former AWS engineers Breck Fresen and Nick End, Row Zero developed a cloud-based spreadsheet capable of handling massive datasets that can overwhelm traditional spreadsheet applications. The startup raised $10 million in Series A funding in May 2025, at an estimated valuation of $40 million, according to PitchBook.

The acquisition expands Databricks’ effort to make its AI platform accessible to professionals who lack specialized data science skills. It also gives Databricks another route into the daily workflows of finance, operations and sales teams.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Spreadsheets and AI Agents

Databricks’ Genie allows employees to query corporate data using natural language. A finance manager, for instance, can ask Genie to investigate changes in profit margins.

Adding Row Zero gives these users another way to work with the results. Rather than relying only on conversational AI, employees can manipulate data through spreadsheet formulas, pivot tables and other data tools.

The Row Zero spreadsheet can process billions of rows, according to Databricks, while supporting direct connections to enterprise data platforms. It also offers familiar functionality for users of Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.

Employees often export information from centralized databases into spreadsheets, creating copies that can be difficult to secure and update. Row Zero allows users to analyze enterprise data through spreadsheets while keeping centralized access controls and reducing the need to export data into separate files.

Its integration with Databricks will use Genie Ontology, Unity Catalog and Unity Gateway to support data access controls and governance. Admins can track user activity and enforce permissions while employees perform spreadsheet analysis.

These controls are particularly relevant for AI agents that access corporate information and perform tasks for employees. Agents can interact directly with spreadsheets, allowing employees to examine calculations and verify results through an interface they already understand.

The purchase follows several Databricks acquisitions in 2026 as the company aggressively expands its AI and data management tools. In March, Databricks acquired Quotient AI, which develops technology for evaluating and improving AI agents, and SiftD.ai, an interactive notebook startup.

The company purchased AI security operations vendor Panther in June and database developer Electric in August. Electric develops PGlite, a lightweight PostgreSQL database designed for applications that can include locally operating AI agents.

Databricks has the financial resources to support this expansion. In August, the company announced a $5 billion funding round led by Coatue, bringing its valuation to $190 billion. The company also reported a $7 billion annualized revenue run rate, representing growth of more than 80% year over year.