SoftBank Group is gaining access to major infrastructure companies including Vantage Data Centers, Switch, and Zayo through a $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge Group, both companies announced. The transaction reflects founder Masayoshi Son’s strategy of acquiring platforms that provide exposure to multiple best-in-class infrastructure operators supporting artificial intelligence.
Through this buy, SoftBank obtains indirect ownership and influence over digital infrastructure leaders that provide critical capabilities for AI applications. Son has been directing SoftBank’s strategy toward gaining access to premier infrastructure operators, recognizing that platform investments provide diversified exposure. The massive demand for computing resources to power AI systems benefits established operators like Vantage, Switch, and Zayo, which DigitalBridge’s portfolio encompasses.
DigitalBridge’s portfolio provides access to essential digital infrastructure through investments in companies including Vantage Data Centers, Switch, Zayo, and AtlasEdge, spanning datacenters, fiber networks, and other critical assets. These portfolio companies represent industry-leading operators in their respective sectors. DigitalBridge itself evolved from Colony Capital, founded in 1991 as a real estate investor, through CEO Marc Ganzi’s leadership transforming to focus on digital infrastructure and rebranding in 2021.
Following the acquisition, Ganzi will continue managing access to these premium assets as CEO, with DigitalBridge operating as a separately managed platform. The quality of access is substantial: DigitalBridge had approximately $108 billion in assets under management as of September 30, providing SoftBank with exposure to some of the best operators in digital infrastructure. This access to premier companies strengthens SoftBank’s AI infrastructure strategy.
SoftBank’s strategy of accessing premier infrastructure extends beyond DigitalBridge. The company is a core partner in the Stargate project, working with leading players OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, a technology investor headquartered in Abu Dhabi. This collaborative initiative involves billions of dollars in investments to build large-scale computing infrastructure purpose-built for advanced AI development. The project includes plans for five computing facilities in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio with approximately 7 gigawatts of total power capacity.