DigitalBridge Becomes Part of SoftBank’s AI Strategy in $4 Billion Deal

DigitalBridge Group is becoming part of SoftBank Group’s artificial intelligence strategy through a $4 billion acquisition deal announced by both companies. The transaction reflects billionaire Masayoshi Son’s ongoing effort to establish SoftBank as a central player in the infrastructure supporting AI development.
This acquisition significantly increases SoftBank’s presence in digital infrastructure, which forms the essential foundation for AI technology deployment. Son has been systematically positioning SoftBank’s investment portfolio around artificial intelligence, viewing it as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The explosive demand for computing capacity to support AI applications has created substantial investment opportunities in infrastructure, which DigitalBridge’s asset portfolio comprehensively addresses.
DigitalBridge focuses on digital infrastructure investments including datacenter properties, telecommunications towers, fiber optic networks, small-cell wireless systems, and edge computing infrastructure. The company’s portfolio includes industry-recognized businesses 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, exiting legacy property holdings and adopting the DigitalBridge brand in 2021.
Marc Ganzi will remain as CEO following the acquisition, with DigitalBridge continuing to operate as an independently managed platform. The financial scale is considerable: DigitalBridge had approximately $108 billion in assets under management as of the end of September, establishing it as one of the premier dedicated investors in digital infrastructure globally. This provides SoftBank with immediate scale and credibility in the sector.
Beyond DigitalBridge, SoftBank’s AI infrastructure commitment includes other major initiatives. The company is a principal partner in the Stargate project alongside OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, a technology investor based in Abu Dhabi. This collaborative effort involves multi-billion-dollar investments in large-scale computing infrastructure designed specifically for advanced AI development. The project includes plans for five computing centers in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio with approximately 7 gigawatts of total power capacity.