SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LightSource, an AI-powered sourcing platform built for enterprise procurement, announced today that it has been named to The Hackett Group’s 2026 50 to Watch as part of its annual assessment of the global procurement technology market. The program recognizes emerging, leading and enduring solution providers shaping the procurement technology market.
The lists are compiled by The Hackett Group’s Solution Intelligence analysts, formerly the Spend Matters™ analyst team. Selection is informed by year-round market monitoring, detailed briefings, product demonstrations and direct engagement with procurement technology providers. Vendor evaluation follows a rigorous, data-driven approach based on criteria, including technology capability, solution maturity, innovation, customer adoption and overall market impact.
“LightSource is an AI-native sourcing platform that is purpose-built to address direct materials procurement, especially the complexity of part- and BoM-driven sourcing,” said Bertrand Maltaverne, Lead Analyst, Upstream Procurement, The Hackett GroupⓇ. “LightSource empowers sourcing teams with data and insights rather than replacing human decision-making. Its focused innovation, modern architecture and traction in complex manufacturing categories earn LightSource its place among the 50 to Watch.”
For the 2025–2026 lists, The Hackett Group® evaluated approximately 220 procurement technology vendors globally. Eligibility for inclusion was based on participation in product demonstrations, enabling a consistent and objective assessment across all vendors evaluated. This year’s evaluation reflects a rapidly evolving procurement technology landscape, with AI-enabled capabilities now widely embedded across platforms and solution categories. As organizations seek measurable outcomes from technology investments, differentiation is increasingly driven by how effectively providers translate innovation into practical, scalable results.
“We are honored to be recognized by The Hackett GroupⓇ on its 50 to Watch list of procurement providers,” said Spencer Penn, CEO and Co-Founder of LightSource. “LightSource was founded to close a critical gap in procurement technology for Direct Materials. Even though Direct accounts for the majority of external spend, it remains the most underserved area in the procuretech space. We’re changing that.”
Find the full lists and more information about The Hackett Group’s procurement technology assessment program here.
About LightSource
LightSource is the only direct materials sourcing platform, designed for enterprise procurement professionals and their suppliers, that automates the entire sourcing process – from supplier discovery to award – enabling buyers to achieve significant efficiency gains, better sourcing outcomes through AI-powered insights, and improved collaboration, while also providing suppliers with a user-friendly platform to win new business. For more information, visit lightsource.ai
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