SoftBank Group has sealed a $4 billion agreement to acquire DigitalBridge Group, adding a major digital infrastructure investment platform to its expanding portfolio of AI-related assets. The transaction, confirmed by both organizations, reflects SoftBank’s systematic approach to building a commanding position in the infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence development.
The deal gives SoftBank substantial new exposure to the digital infrastructure sector at a time when demand for AI computing resources is reaching unprecedented levels. Masayoshi Son, the billionaire entrepreneur behind SoftBank, has made capturing the AI opportunity a central strategic priority for the conglomerate. By acquiring DigitalBridge, SoftBank gains access to a mature platform with deep expertise in the infrastructure assets that enable AI applications to function.
DigitalBridge’s investment focus encompasses the full spectrum of digital infrastructure including large-scale datacenters, cellular tower networks, high-speed fiber optic systems, small-cell wireless infrastructure, and edge computing facilities. The firm’s portfolio companies include recognized industry leaders such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. Founded in 1991 as Colony Capital with a focus on traditional real estate investments, the company executed a dramatic strategic shift under CEO Marc Ganzi, exiting legacy real estate holdings and rebranding as DigitalBridge in 2021 to reflect its new digital infrastructure focus.
The acquisition terms preserve DigitalBridge’s operational independence, with Ganzi remaining in his role as CEO and the firm continuing as a separately managed platform. The financial scale of the acquisition is significant, with DigitalBridge overseeing approximately $108 billion in assets as of September 30. This positions the firm as one of the largest institutional investors focused exclusively on digital infrastructure, providing SoftBank with both scale and specialized knowledge in the sector.
SoftBank’s investment in AI infrastructure extends across multiple initiatives beyond the DigitalBridge acquisition. The company has partnered with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, a technology investment firm based in Abu Dhabi, on the ambitious Stargate project. This initiative involves deploying billions of dollars to create large-scale computing infrastructure specifically engineered for advanced artificial intelligence applications. The project roadmap includes five new computing facilities spread across Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio, collectively designed to provide around 7 gigawatts of power capacity.