SoftBank Group will significantly expand its investment in the AI infrastructure field by acquiring AI infrastructure investor DigitalBridge for about $4 billion. The acquisition is part of a strategy to strengthen SoftBank's artificial superintelligence (ASI) platform vision by securing next-generation AI data centers and digital infrastructure.
DigitalBridge said on the 29th (local time) that SoftBank agreed to acquire all of its outstanding shares for $16 per share. The acquisition price reflects a premium of about 15% over the closing price on the 26th. The acquisition process is expected to be completed in the second half of next year.
DigitalBridge is a global asset manager that invests in AI and digital infrastructure assets such as data centers, fiber networks, and wireless base stations. Through this transaction, SoftBank will further strengthen its investment portfolio in the AI infrastructure institutional sector.
Masayoshi Son said, "As AI transforms industries around the world, there is a growing need for more computing, connectivity, power, and infrastructure," and added, "This acquisition will accelerate our vision to strengthen the foundation for next-generation AI data centers and move forward as a leading artificial superintelligence platform provider."
SoftBank plans to operate DigitalBridge as a separate platform led by Chief Executive Officer Mark Ganzi, as it has been, even after the acquisition.
Meanwhile, shares of DigitalBridge, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, traded in the $15 range, up more than 9% from the previous close at one point in the afternoon Eastern time.