BlackRock, Nvidia-Backed Consortium Acquires Aligned Data Centers in $40 Billion AI Infrastructure Deal
A consortium including BlackRock, Microsoft, and Nvidia has struck a $40 billion deal to acquire Aligned Data Centers, one of the world’s largest data center operators with nearly 80 facilities. This landmark acquisition aims to secure critical computing capacity needed for artificial intelligence development.
Key Takeaways
- Investor group acquires Aligned Data Centers in $40 billion deal
- Consortium includes BlackRock, Microsoft, Nvidia, MGX, and xAI
- Aligned operates 50 campuses across US and Latin America
- Deal represents first major move by AI Infrastructure Partnership
Major AI Infrastructure Investment
The purchase of US-based Aligned Data Centers from Australian Macquarie Asset Management marks the first major deal for the AI Infrastructure Partnership formed last year. The consortium includes Abu Dhabi-based fund MGX and Elon Musk’s startup xAI among its backers.
“With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI,” said BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who also serves as chairman of the AI Infrastructure Partnership.
AI Infrastructure Spending Boom
This acquisition represents the latest in a series of major deals driven by the artificial intelligence boom. Major technology companies including Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta, Microsoft and CoreWeave are projected to spend $400 billion on AI infrastructure this year, according to Morgan Stanley estimates.
The scale of investment required is staggering. OpenAI recently struck deals with chipmakers Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom that may cost over $1 trillion to secure approximately 26 gigawatts of computing capacity – enough to power roughly 20 million US homes.
Aligned’s Strategic Position
Privately-held Aligned Data Centers currently possesses over 5 gigawatts of operational and planned capacity spread across 50 campuses in the United States and Latin America. Founded in 2013, the company has emerged as a significant beneficiary of the AI infrastructure spending surge, raising $12 billion in equity and debt earlier this year.
Joe Tigay, portfolio manager at Nvidia shareholder Equity Armor Investments, emphasized the growing investor interest in data center assets. “They’re looking at rapid expansion to meet AI demand and optimize for it,” he stated.
Investment Consortium Details
The buying consortium, which also includes Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore’s Temasek as backers, has an initial target of deploying $30 billion in equity capital. This could potentially reach $100 billion when including debt financing. The group has not disclosed individual partner contributions or the specific equity value of Wednesday’s deal.
Hendi Susanto, portfolio manager at Nvidia investor Gabelli Funds, commented on the strategic significance: “All the major parties in that consortium are showing the strength of the AI ecosystem.”
Aligned will maintain its Dallas, Texas headquarters under CEO Andrew Schaap when the transaction closes in the first half of 2026, according to the investor group’s statement.
