SoftBank Group is acquiring DigitalBridge Group for $4 billion, advancing the Japanese investment firm’s vision of controlling key infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence development. The transaction, announced by both organizations, marks another significant step in founder Masayoshi Son’s strategy to position SoftBank at the heart of the AI revolution.
Through this deal, SoftBank obtains substantially increased exposure to digital infrastructure assets that provide the foundational capabilities for AI systems. Son has articulated a clear strategic focus on artificial intelligence, characterizing it as the most significant technological transformation in a generation. The massive growth in demand for computing power to support AI applications has created valuable opportunities in infrastructure investment, which DigitalBridge’s portfolio directly captures.
DigitalBridge’s investment focus spans critical digital infrastructure sectors including datacenter facilities, telecommunications tower networks, fiber optic systems, small-cell infrastructure, and edge computing platforms. The portfolio features prominent companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. Founded in 1991 as Colony Capital with a concentration on traditional real estate, the firm underwent a complete strategic transformation under CEO Marc Ganzi, divesting legacy property investments and rebranding as DigitalBridge in 2021.
Following the acquisition, Ganzi will continue leading DigitalBridge as CEO, with the business functioning as a separately managed platform. The scale of the transaction is noteworthy: DigitalBridge oversaw approximately $108 billion in assets as of September 30, positioning it among the largest investors focused exclusively on digital infrastructure worldwide. This established platform provides SoftBank with immediate credibility and reach across the sector.
SoftBank’s commitment to AI infrastructure is evident across its portfolio. The company is a principal backer of the Stargate project, partnering with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, a technology investment firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi. This ambitious initiative involves multi-billion-dollar investments in large-scale computing infrastructure purpose-built for advanced AI development. Current plans include five computing centers in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio with a combined power capacity of about 7 gigawatts.