SoftBank to Acquire DigitalBridge in $4 Billion Deal to Boost AI Infrastructure

SoftBank Group has announced a major acquisition that strengthens its push into artificial intelligence and the infrastructure required to support it, marking another step in reshaping its global investment portfolio, as per news reports. 

Deal Rationale and Infrastructure Focus 

Under the transaction, SoftBank Group will acquire DigitalBridge Group in a deal valued at $4 billion. The acquisition broadens SoftBank’s footprint in digital infrastructure assets that underpin large-scale computing and data-intensive applications.  

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son has been increasing exposure to areas linked to artificial intelligence, driven by rising demand for computing capacity that supports advanced AI workloads. 

DigitalBridge Platform and Management 

DigitalBridge invests across datacenters, cell towers, fibre networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure, with portfolio companies including Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge.  

The firm was founded in 1991 as Colony Capital and shifted its focus from real estate to digital infrastructure under chief executive Marc Ganzi, rebranding as DigitalBridge in 2021. Following the acquisition, Ganzi will continue to lead the business, which will operate as a separately managed platform.  

As of September 30, DigitalBridge managed assets worth around $108 billion, positioning it among the largest dedicated investors in the digital infrastructure ecosystem. 

AI Investments and Computing Expansion 

The acquisition aligns with SoftBank’s broader strategy to place itself at the centre of what Son has described as a once-in-a-generation technological shift.  

Alongside OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based tech investor MGX, SoftBank is committing billions of dollars to the Stargate initiative, a large-scale computing and infrastructure programme aimed at supporting advanced AI development.  

The partners said in September that they plan to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico and Ohio, with a combined power capacity of about 7 GW when fully operational. 

Read More: NPCI Expands Beyond Payments with New Digital Infrastructure Unit! 

Conclusion 

By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank is deepening its presence in the infrastructure layers critical to artificial intelligence, reinforcing its strategy of backing platforms and assets that enable the next phase of large-scale AI deployment. 

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