SoftBank close to acquiring DigitalBridge, a data center investment firm, says Bloomberg

• DigitalBridge manages $108 billion in assets across data centers, cell towers, and fiber networks, including Vantage Data Centers and Switch
• CEO Marc Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform under SoftBank ownership
• The companies are jointly investing in the Stargate project with OpenAI and Oracle to build five AI computing sites across Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio

SoftBank Acquires DigitalBridge for $4 Billion to Expand AI Infrastructure Portfolio

SoftBank Group announced the acquisition of digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge Group for $4 billion, paying $16 per share. The deal represents SoftBank's strategic move to deepen its artificial intelligence portfolio and capitalize on surging AI computing capacity demand.

DigitalBridge, managing approximately $108 billion in assets as of September 30, is one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital ecosystem. The firm's portfolio includes investments in data centers, cell towers, fiber networks, small-cell systems, and edge infrastructure, with holdings in companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge.

CEO Marc Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform under SoftBank ownership. The company, originally founded in 1991 as real estate-focused Colony Capital, pivoted to digital infrastructure and rebranded as DigitalBridge in 2021.

The acquisition aligns with SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son's vision to expand the company's AI infrastructure capabilities. DigitalBridge is already involved in the Stargate project alongside OpenAI, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, investing billions in large-scale computing infrastructure for advanced AI development. This project includes plans for five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio, with a combined power capacity of approximately seven gigawatts when operational.

While the deal marks a significant milestone in addressing critical infrastructure needs for AI development, industry observers note that SoftBank remains far from controlling 10% of the global hardware- and software-as-a-service market. The acquisition strengthens SoftBank's position in the rapidly growing digital infrastructure sector as demand for AI computing capacity continues to accelerate.