Diligent, a leader in AI-driven governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) software, has announced the acquisition of 3rdRisk, a Netherlands-based platform specializing in AI-native third-party risk management. The move reinforces Diligent’s standing as the only GRC provider recognized as a “Leader” by all five major analyst firms, including Gartner, IDC, Forrester, Chartis, and Verdantix. By integrating 3rdRisk’s capabilities, Diligent aims to enhance support for organizations managing increasingly complex vendor ecosystems.
Addressing the Fastest-Growing Segment in Risk and Compliance
Third-party risk management, particularly within IT vendor oversight, represents one of the most rapidly expanding areas in the GRC sector. Rising regulatory scrutiny, evolving cyber threats, and growing digital dependencies are driving organizations to seek more comprehensive visibility into their external risk landscape. 3rdRisk’s AI-powered platform provides near real-time insights into vendor performance, automates assessment workflows, and analyzes contracts and certifications, enabling teams to achieve audit readiness in weeks rather than quarters.
Combining AI Expertise for Holistic Risk Oversight
Scott Bridgen, General Manager of Risk and Audit at Diligent, emphasized the strategic benefits of the acquisition, stating that combining Diligent’s AI platform with 3rdRisk’s third-party risk management tools delivers a unified, board-level view of risk. “Organizations are facing increasing volume and complexity of risks across their vendor ecosystem,” Bridgen noted. “Together, we provide a solution that allows enterprises to govern with confidence and address critical vendor dependencies efficiently.”
Accelerating 3rdRisk’s Global Vision
Bram Ketting, co-founder and CEO of 3rdRisk, highlighted the alignment between the two companies. He explained that the acquisition allows 3rdRisk to scale its vision of transforming vendor risk management through AI, focusing on automating manual processes while preserving human judgment. “Joining Diligent accelerates our ability to deliver value globally while maintaining the product expertise our customers rely on,” Ketting said.
Extending Diligent’s AI Innovation
The acquisition builds on a year of AI-driven initiatives by Diligent, including GovernAI for governance workflows, AI Risk Essentials for enterprise risk management, AI-enhanced Diligent Entities for entity management, and ACL AI Studio for faster audit and compliance insights. Incorporating 3rdRisk’s platform into this ecosystem extends Diligent’s reach into third-party risk management and underscores its commitment to equipping professionals with AI-enhanced tools to clarify risk and strengthen governance.
Expert Advisors Support the Deal
The transaction involved financial and legal advisors on both sides. District Capital Partners and Goodwin Procter LLP advised Diligent, while WizeCap and deBreij supported 3rdRisk. The acquisition is expected to accelerate Diligent’s ability to offer a comprehensive, AI-driven approach to risk management for clients worldwide.
By integrating 3rdRisk’s AI-native third-party risk capabilities, Diligent strengthens its position at the forefront of governance, risk, and compliance software. The combined platform offers organizations a holistic view of internal and external risks, enabling faster, more informed decision-making. As digital dependencies continue to expand and regulatory demands increase, this acquisition positions Diligent to address the evolving needs of risk and compliance leaders globally.