SoftBank to buy DigitalBridge in US$4 billion deal to bolster AI infrastructure push

[BENGALURU] SoftBank will acquire digital infrastructure investor DigitalBridge in a deal valued at US$4 billion, the companies said on Monday (Dec 29), as the Japanese investment firm looks to deepen its artificial intelligence (AI)-related portfolio.

The acquisition would expand SoftBank’s exposure to digital infrastructure, as the Japanese conglomerate is positioning its portfolio to focus on AI.

DigitalBridge shares rose about 9.8 per cent to US$15.30 on Monday, following a 45 per cent rise earlier this month after the acquisition talks were first reported.

The US$16 per share offer represents a 15 per cent premium over DigitalBridge’s closing price on Dec 26, and values the company at US$2.9 billion, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026.

SoftBank’s billionaire founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to capitalise on surging demand for the computing capacity that underpins AI applications.

DigitalBridge invests in digital infrastructure sectors such as data centres, cell towers, fibre networks, small-cell systems and edge infrastructure, with a portfolio including companies such as Vantage Data Centres, Zayo, Switch and AtlasEdge.

Founded in 1991 as real estate-focused Colony Capital, the firm pivoted under CEO Marc Ganzi into digital infrastructure, and rebranded as DigitalBridge in 2021 after shedding most of its legacy property assets.

Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as a separately managed platform, the companies said.

As at Sep 30, DigitalBridge managed around US$108 billion in assets, making it one of the largest dedicated investors in the digital ecosystem.

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SoftBank has ramped up investment in AI, as it seeks to position itself at the centre of what Son has called a once-in-a-generation technological shift.

The company, along with OpenAI, Oracle and Abu Dhabi-based tech investor MGX, is investing billions of dollars in the Stargate project, a large-scale computing and infrastructure initiative aimed at supporting advanced AI development.

OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank said in September they plan to build five new computing sites across Texas, New Mexico and Ohio, which are expected to have a combined power capacity of about 7 gigawatts when in operation. REUTERS