Takeaways by Saasverse AI
- Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) | Acquisition | $40 Billion Valuation | Data Center Infrastructure
- Co-invested by Mubadala's AI-focused arm MGX, alongside existing backers Macquarie and BlackRock.
- Aligned operates 78 data centers across the U.S. and South America, positioning it as a key player in supporting AI and cloud infrastructure growth.
Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading infrastructure investment firm, is in advanced talks to acquire Aligned Data Centers in a deal valued at approximately $40 billion. If finalized, this transaction would be one of the largest data center acquisitions in history and a defining moment for the AI, SaaS, and cloud industries. Backed by Macquarie Asset Management, Aligned's acquisition also includes participation from MGX, Mubadala Investment Co.’s AI-focused investment arm. This deal underscores the growing strategic importance of data center infrastructure as the backbone for AI and cloud computing advancements.
Aligned Data Centers, headquartered in Plano, Texas, manages and develops 78 data centers spanning the U.S. and South America, with 50 additional data center campuses under development. The company secured over $12 billion in equity and debt financing earlier this year, with Macquarie Asset Management as a key investor. Notably, Aligned has been actively involved in government discussions on accelerating data center infrastructure development to meet the surging demand for AI and high-performance computing workloads.
This acquisition complements GIP’s portfolio, which already includes CyrusOne, a Dallas-based data center operator acquired in 2021 in partnership with KKR & Co. for $15 billion. The addition of Aligned significantly expands GIP’s presence in the global data center market, positioning it to capitalize on the exponential growth of AI, cloud computing, and edge computing applications. Mubadala’s MGX, which had previously invested in Aligned, further reinforces the strategic alignment of this deal with the global push toward AI-driven infrastructure.
The $40 billion valuation reflects Aligned’s rapid growth trajectory and its critical role in enabling enterprise digital transformation. The company’s scalable, energy-efficient infrastructure supports hyperscalers, cloud providers, and AI-driven workloads, making it a vital enabler of technological innovation.
“ This acquisition highlights the growing strategic value of data center assets in a world increasingly reliant on AI and cloud solutions. The $40 billion valuation reflects unprecedented demand for scalable and sustainable infrastructure to support the next wave of digital transformation. GIP’s move to consolidate its position as a leader in data center operations is a direct response to the market’s need for robust, AI-ready infrastructure, ” Saasverse Analyst comments.
Saasverse Insights
The acquisition of Aligned Data Centers by GIP and its partners signals a seismic shift in the data center industry, driven by the twin forces of AI proliferation and cloud adoption. As enterprises and hyperscalers accelerate their investments in AI, the demand for high-performance, energy-efficient data centers is surging. The deal not only represents a massive consolidation but also raises the competitive stakes for other data center operators.
Aligned’s focus on sustainability and its ability to scale rapidly align with broader trends in the cloud and AI ecosystems, where energy efficiency and operational flexibility are becoming key differentiators. With 78 operational data centers and 50 more in development, Aligned is well-positioned to support the growing computational demands of AI models, SaaS applications, and cloud-native enterprises.
This transaction also underscores the increasing role of sovereign wealth funds like Mubadala in shaping the AI and cloud infrastructure landscape. The involvement of MGX signals a strategic emphasis on aligning data center investments with AI development goals. However, as consolidation continues, smaller operators may face mounting challenges in competing with giants like GIP, KKR, and BlackRock-backed entities. The ripple effects of this deal will likely extend across the AI, SaaS, and cloud industries, reshaping the competitive dynamics of the infrastructure market.