DigitalBridge Acquires Yondr Group to Meet Global AI Demands

A strategic investment from DigitalBridge sees it acquire Yondr Group (Yondr), a global developer and operator of hyperscale data centres. 

The acquisition has taken place via one of its managed investment funds, the DigitalBridge Fund, and is designed to meet an unprecedented appetite for artificial intelligence (AI) across the data centre industry. 

Yondr has been establishing itself as a key player in digital infrastructure in recent years, as it continues its commitment to address the complex data centre capacity demands of world-leading technology giants. It does this by developing and operating sustainable data centres around the world. 

The deal is expected to close in early 2025, subject to closing conditions.

Enhancing the DigitalBridge data centre portfolio

The data centre industry as a whole remains in an in-between state, as it wrestles to balance sustainability with innovation. As a result, there are plenty of new energy-related challenges as leading operators seek to lower their overall carbon footprint and emissions output.

With sustainability remaining a critical focus for data centres, companies like Yondr are starting to adopt a more future-proof approach. The company has already established itself as a key player with its diverse portfolio of campuses designed to meet soaring demands for advanced data processing capabilities. 

The company has only continued to expand, with new 2024 sites in locations like Malaysia to bolster connectivity and improve its use of renewables. 

As rapid digital transformation prompts greater shifts to cloud solutions and greater AI use, Yondr holds more than 420 megawatts (MW) of capacity committed to hyperscalers. This is in addition to land that can support a total potential capacity of more than one gigawatt (1GW).

With this in mind, the DigitalBridge Fund’s strategic investment hopes to drive greater development of cutting-edge sustainable data centres. This will be backed by long-term stable revenue streams from investment-grade clients, the company says.

"Yondr’s assets and strong relationships with leading hyperscale clients align with DigitalBridge’s vision to support the future of digital infrastructure," says Jon Mauck, Senior Managing Director at DigitalBridge. 

"Yondr enhances our existing data centre portfolio and strengthens our ability to support hyperscalers. Together, we are well-positioned to capitalise on the increasing demand for hyperscale data centres – fueled by AI, cloud computing, and the ongoing digital transformation across industries."

A faster journey to Net Zero

Yondr will continue to operate as an independent company within the DigitalBridge portfolio. It will be able to leverage DigitalBridge’s support and expertise in digital infrastructure, whilst enhancing its own ability to serve its clients, whilst continuing to globally expand.

The company has committed to developing hyperscale data centres, particularly in locations in Japan, using renewable energy to contribute to a more decarbonised society. As the climate crisis continues to emerge as a critical issue, Yondr has been a prevalent part of shifting its data centres towards alternative energy sources.

The company also has a waterless vision, aiming to not rely on local water supplies at all. Placing sustainability at the centre of this data centre design enables the company to better deliver critical IT capacity, whilst prioritising significant innovation.

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