Innovation Race: Salesforce vs. SAP

In the ever-evolving tech landscape, innovation is the key to staying ahead. Over the past decade, Salesforce, Inc. and SAP SE have been at the forefront of this race, investing heavily in research and development (R&D) to maintain their competitive edge. From 2014 to 2023, SAP SE consistently outspent Salesforce in R&D, with a peak investment of approximately $6.3 billion in 2023, marking a 171% increase from 2014. Meanwhile, Salesforce's R&D spending surged by over 710% during the same period, reaching around $5.1 billion in 2023. This rapid growth underscores Salesforce's commitment to innovation, despite SAP's larger absolute spending. The data for 2024 is incomplete, but the trend suggests a continued focus on R&D by both companies. As these tech giants push the boundaries of innovation, the question remains: who will lead the next wave of technological breakthroughs?