SoftBank Closes In on AI Infrastructure Control with $4B DigitalBridge Purchase

SoftBank Group is closing in on greater control of artificial intelligence infrastructure through a $4 billion purchase of DigitalBridge Group, both companies confirmed. The acquisition represents billionaire Masayoshi Son’s ongoing effort to position SoftBank as a dominant force in the infrastructure layer supporting AI technologies.
The deal significantly expands SoftBank’s footprint in digital infrastructure, which delivers the computing, networking, and storage capabilities essential for AI applications. Son has been reshaping SoftBank’s investment strategy around artificial intelligence, recognizing it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The extraordinary increase in demand for computing resources to power AI systems has made infrastructure assets increasingly strategic, which DigitalBridge’s portfolio addresses comprehensively.
DigitalBridge specializes in digital infrastructure investments encompassing datacenters, cell tower networks, fiber systems, small-cell infrastructure, and edge computing facilities. The company’s holdings include industry-recognized businesses such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. Beginning as Colony Capital in 1991 as a real estate investment firm, the company transformed under Marc Ganzi’s leadership, systematically exiting traditional property investments and adopting the DigitalBridge brand in 2021.
Marc Ganzi will retain his position as CEO following the acquisition, with DigitalBridge maintaining its operational independence as a separately managed platform. The financial magnitude is considerable: DigitalBridge managed around $108 billion in assets at the end of September, establishing it as one of the largest dedicated digital infrastructure investors globally. This gives SoftBank immediate access to substantial assets and specialized expertise.
Beyond DigitalBridge, SoftBank’s AI infrastructure investments include other major initiatives. The company is a core partner in the Stargate project, collaborating with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, an Abu Dhabi-based technology investor. This venture involves billions of dollars in investments to construct large-scale computing infrastructure specifically designed for advanced AI development. Plans include five computing facilities in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio with approximately 7 gigawatts of total power capacity.