Samsung SDS said on the 15th that it will pursue a strategic partnership with global investment firm KKR and seek to raise 1.2 trillion won.
Samsung SDS said it held a board meeting on the 15th and resolved to issue 1.2 trillion won ($820 million) in convertible bonds (CB) to partner with KKR.
The partnership is a strategic move to strengthen competitiveness and secure a global growth base in the IT services market being reshaped around artificial intelligence (AI). Samsung SDS plans to reinforce its position as a leading AX (AI transformation) company based on an "AI full stack" that spans AI infrastructure, platforms, and solutions.
Samsung SDS will expand investment to bolster AI infrastructure and AX business competitiveness, drawing on funds secured from KKR and its existing 6.4 trillion won in cash-like asset. It also plans to actively pursue new businesses such as physical AI and stablecoins, along with mergers and acquisitions (M&A), while securing global business footholds.
KKR plans to serve in a long-term advisory role over the next six years for Samsung SDS in areas including M&A, capital deployment, and identifying global growth opportunities.
Samsung SDS is accelerating the expansion of its AI infrastructure business, including efforts to establish the Haenam National AI Computing Center (target completion in 2028) and the Gumi AI data center (scheduled for completion in 2029). In tandem, it is advancing a data center design, build, and operate (DBO) business to step up its push into the domestic AI infrastructure market.
Lee June-hee, CEO of Samsung SDS, said, "Through this strategic partnership, we will actively review a wide range of growth opportunities by leveraging capabilities accumulated in the global capital markets," adding, "We will continue to enhance corporate value and strengthen our global growth base."