Critical Software Acquires IQ Inc.

Critical Software is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition of IQ Inc., a US-based technology and engineering services company headquartered in Pittsburgh.

IQ Inc. employs highly skilled engineers and is a well-known and highly respected leader in delivering solutions for the healthcare, medical devices, mobility, energy, robotics, aerospace, and defense sectors. Its strong reputation for engineering rigor and quality-driven delivery makes IQ Inc. a natural fit within the Critical Ecosystem. 

“We identified the need to further strengthen our commitment to the U.S. market. While we have been present in the country for more than 20 years, we believe this is the right time to take a new step in consolidating and growing our local presence through a strategic merger and acquisition with IQ Inc., which will accelerate our expansion and engineering capabilities in the country,” said João Carreira, CEO of Critical Software.

This acquisition strengthens Critical Software’s market presence, engineering capabilities, and technical expertise, and directly supports our strategic ambition to expand our workforce and operations internationally — particularly in the United States, a key market for mission- and safety-critical solutions. 

"Today feels a little like closing a chapter and opening an entirely new book," said IQ Inc. Founder Barbara VanKirk. "IQ Inc. was founded in 1994 with a small team and a big dream: to deliver engineering excellence and mission-critical solutions to clients we believe in. Over the years, we’ve grown, faced challenges, celebrated wins, and built incredible teams along the way." 

She continued: "Now, joining forces with Critical Software is another step in that journey. One that strengthens our footprint in the U.S and allows us to serve our clients even better. I’m proud, a little nostalgic, and incredibly excited for what comes next. Here’s to the next chapter!"

What This Means for Critical Software: 

• Continuity for clients and programs, with no disruption to ongoing work or commitments, while benefiting from expanded scale and reach. 
• Stronger delivery capacity in strategic markets, particularly in the United States, supported by the growth of our local engineering teams. 
• Broader and deeper technical capabilities across software development, quality engineering, systems integration, and data-driven solutions. 
• Greater ability to execute complex, regulated programs, leveraging proven engineering discipline, and combined domain expertise. 
• Increased collaboration across teams, focused on improving delivery outcomes, innovation, and long-term customer value. 

This marks another important milestone in Critical Software’s journey to build a truly global engineering organization. With a growing presence in the United States and beyond, the company continues to invest in exceptional people, trusted partnerships, and engineering excellence at scale — advancing technology that helps build a better and safer world.