$4B Deal Transfers DigitalBridge’s AI Infrastructure Assets to SoftBank

A $4 billion deal is transferring DigitalBridge Group’s artificial intelligence infrastructure assets to SoftBank Group, the companies jointly announced. The transaction underscores billionaire Masayoshi Son’s determination to build a commanding position in the infrastructure supporting AI development and deployment.
This acquisition provides SoftBank with significantly increased exposure to digital infrastructure, which supplies the critical computing, networking, and storage capabilities for AI systems. Son has been systematically focusing SoftBank’s capital on artificial intelligence, recognizing the unprecedented value creation opportunity. The surging demand for computing resources to support AI applications has created substantial opportunities in infrastructure sectors, which DigitalBridge’s portfolio directly addresses.
DigitalBridge specializes in digital infrastructure investments spanning datacenters, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems, and edge infrastructure. The portfolio features prominent companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. Beginning as Colony Capital in 1991 as a real estate investment firm, the company underwent a complete strategic transformation led by CEO Marc Ganzi, divesting traditional property holdings and rebranding as DigitalBridge in 2021.
Marc Ganzi will continue serving as CEO following the transfer, with DigitalBridge maintaining operational independence as a separately managed platform. The scale of what SoftBank is acquiring is considerable: DigitalBridge managed around $108 billion in assets as of September 30, making it one of the premier dedicated investors in digital infrastructure globally. This established platform gives SoftBank immediate scale and credibility in a rapidly growing sector.
SoftBank’s AI infrastructure strategy encompasses additional major projects. The company is a founding partner in the Stargate project, working alongside OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, an investment firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Stargate represents a multi-billion-dollar commitment to building large-scale computing infrastructure optimized for advanced AI development. Current plans include five new computing sites in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio with approximately 7 gigawatts of combined power capacity.