$40 Billion AI Data Center Acquisition: A New Era
A consortium led by BlackRock, Nvidia, and Microsoft acquires Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion, marking a major expansion in AI infrastructure.
BlackRock, Nvidia, and Partners Acquire Aligned Data Centers
A consortium led by BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), Nvidia, Microsoft, and MGX has acquired Aligned Data Centers for approximately $40 billion. Announced on October 15, 2025, this landmark deal is one of the largest in the AI data center sector, marking a strategic expansion of next-generation cloud and AI infrastructure globally.
Transaction Overview and Strategic Partners
The acquiring group, known as the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), features key players:
- BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) – a major global infrastructure investment firm.
- MGX – a leading infrastructure investor.
- Microsoft and Nvidia – technology giants providing AI hardware and cloud services.
- Financial backing from sovereign wealth funds such as the Kuwait Investment Authority and Temasek.
Aligned Data Centers, previously owned by Macquarie Asset Management, will now accelerate its growth in AI and cloud data center markets under new ownership.
Aligned Data Centers: A Leader in AI-Optimized Infrastructure
Founded less than a decade ago, Aligned Data Centers has become a leading data center company with:
- 50 data campuses in key Tier 1 digital gateway regions.
- Over 5 gigawatts (GW) of operational and planned capacity.
- Locations in strategic markets including Northern Virginia, Chicago, Dallas, Ohio, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, São Paulo (Brazil), Querétaro (Mexico), and Santiago (Chile).
Aligned specializes in designing, building, and operating state-of-the-art data centers optimized for hyperscalers, neocloud providers, and enterprise innovators, focusing on sustainable and adaptive digital infrastructure.
Industry Impact and AI Infrastructure Growth
This $40 billion acquisition highlights the growing competition and investment in AI infrastructure. Data centers are crucial for supporting AI workloads, requiring high computing power, low latency, and massive data throughput.
The consortium aims to:
- Expand AI data center capacity to support rapid AI application growth.
- Accelerate innovation in cloud infrastructure for AI workloads.
- Promote sustainable infrastructure development across the Americas.
- Solidify leadership in AI-driven economic growth through strategic investments.
This deal reflects the trend of financial firms partnering with technology companies to support the AI revolution's infrastructure.
Context and Future Outlook
The demand for AI-capable data centers is surging as enterprises, governments, and cloud providers deploy advanced AI models. Nvidia’s GPUs are essential for AI processing, while Microsoft’s Azure is a key AI application distribution channel. BlackRock’s financial expertise ensures long-term capital support.
Aligned’s presence in the Americas positions it to serve major AI markets, including U.S. hyperscalers and Latin American enterprises. The deal aligns with increasing AI adoption and the need for efficient data center ecosystems capable of powering large-scale AI models.
Visuals
- Logos of BlackRock, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Aligned Data Centers.
- Images of Aligned Data Centers’ campuses showcasing sustainable facilities.
- Infographics illustrating the consortium structure and geographic footprint.
This acquisition sets a precedent for future collaborations between financial investors and AI technology leaders, emphasizing the strategic importance of data centers as the backbone of AI innovation and economic transformation.
