Windsurf Split Between Google and Cognition Reshapes AI Startup Acquisition Dynamics

Summary

Windsurf, a fast-growing AI developer tools company, underwent a split acquisition in mid-2025 after a failed OpenAI acquisition attempt. Google hired Windsurf's leadership team, while Cognition AI — maker of the autonomous coding agent Devin — acquired Windsurf's remaining assets including its codebase, brand, enterprise customers, contracts, and remaining employees around July 14, 2025. Financial terms of the Cognition deal were not disclosed. Cognition plans to integrate Windsurf's technolog