SoftBank Group’s $4 billion deal to acquire DigitalBridge Group signals a major bet on artificial intelligence infrastructure by the Japanese investment conglomerate. The transaction announcement reflects founder Masayoshi Son’s strategic focus on controlling the physical and network infrastructure that supports AI development and deployment.
This acquisition dramatically expands SoftBank’s exposure to digital infrastructure assets, which deliver the computing, storage, and connectivity capabilities that AI systems require. Son has been vocal about positioning SoftBank to capitalize on artificial intelligence, viewing it as a once-in-a-generation technological breakthrough. The explosive demand for computing resources to power AI applications has made infrastructure investments increasingly strategic, which DigitalBridge’s portfolio directly captures.
DigitalBridge’s investment activities span essential digital infrastructure including datacenters, cell tower networks, fiber systems, small-cell infrastructure, and edge computing facilities. The portfolio encompasses industry-leading companies such as Vantage Data Centers, Zayo, Switch, and AtlasEdge. The company’s transformation from its 1991 founding as real estate investor Colony Capital to its current form occurred under CEO Marc Ganzi’s leadership, involving the comprehensive divestiture of traditional property assets and the 2021 rebrand to DigitalBridge.
Following the transaction, Ganzi will remain as CEO with DigitalBridge operating as an independently managed platform within SoftBank. The scale of the acquisition is significant: DigitalBridge had approximately $108 billion in assets under management as of September 30, making it one of the premier dedicated investors in digital infrastructure globally. This established platform gives SoftBank immediate scale and specialized knowledge.
SoftBank’s involvement in AI infrastructure includes multiple major initiatives. The company is a founding partner in the Stargate project, working with OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX, a technology investment firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Stargate represents a multi-billion-dollar commitment to building large-scale computing infrastructure optimized for advanced AI development. Plans include five computing sites in Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio with approximately 7 gigawatts of combined power capacity.
SoftBank’s $4 Billion DigitalBridge Deal Signals Major AI Infrastructure Bet
