DigitalBridge Group is falling to SoftBank Group in a $4 billion transaction that highlights consolidation in the artificial intelligence infrastructure sector. The deal announcement reflects founder Masayoshi Son’s ongoing effort to establish SoftBank as the dominant investor in infrastructure supporting AI development.
This acquisition dramatically increases SoftBank’s presence in digital infrastructure, which forms the essential physical foundation for AI technology deployment. Son has been directing SoftBank’s strategy toward artificial intelligence, recognizing the once-in-a-generation value creation opportunity. The explosive growth in demand for computing power to train and operate AI applications has made infrastructure assets highly valuable, which DigitalBridge’s specialized portfolio directly addresses.
DigitalBridge’s investment activities span critical digital infrastructure including datacenter facilities, telecommunications tower networks, fiber optic systems, small-cell infrastructure, and edge computing platforms. The portfolio features industry-leading companies like Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. Founded in 1991 as Colony Capital with a traditional real estate focus, the firm transformed completely under CEO Marc Ganzi’s leadership, exiting legacy property investments and adopting the DigitalBridge brand in 2021.
Marc Ganzi will remain at the helm as CEO following the transaction, with DigitalBridge continuing to function as a separately managed platform. The scale of what SoftBank is acquiring is substantial: DigitalBridge had around $108 billion in assets under management as of the end of September, making it one of the world’s largest dedicated investors in digital infrastructure. This established platform gives SoftBank immediate access to substantial assets and industry expertise.
SoftBank’s AI infrastructure commitment extends across multiple fronts. The company is a founding partner in the Stargate project, working with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, an investment firm based in Abu Dhabi. Stargate represents a multi-billion-dollar investment in large-scale computing infrastructure optimized for advanced AI development. Current plans include five new computing sites in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio designed for approximately 7 gigawatts of combined power capacity.