Kao Data, a specialist developer and operator of high-performance data centres, has secured an investment boost.
Infrastructure investment firm Infratil and Legal & General Capital have increased their equity stakes in the company.
Infratil will now hold a majority stake of 53%, Legal & General Capital will hold 32%, and Goldacre NO脡 Group, Kao Data鈥檚 founding investors, will hold 15%.
Since 2021, Infratil Ltd and Legal & General Capital have together invested in Kao Data, growing the company from a single data centre developer/operator to a multi-site platform.聽
Earlier this year Kao Data unveiled plans for a new 40 megawatt (MW) data centre in Greater Manchester, a development that represents an investment of 拢350 million and aims to create a leading infrastructure hub to support the city region鈥檚 growing technology, AI, and scientific research ecosystems.
The new shareholdings will provide streamlined ownership and additional funding for Kao Data鈥檚 growth – accelerating its plans to scale across the United Kingdom, including the North West, and underpinning its mission to provide customers with world-class and sustainable, high-performance data centre infrastructure.
鈥淚ncreasing our shareholding in Kao Data is in line with our strategy of investing in 鈥檌deas that matter鈥� and continues our active support to scale the platform through contributing our extensive data centre experience,鈥� said Vincent Gerritsen, head of UK & Europe for Morrison & Co, Infratil鈥檚 manager.
鈥淲ith the expanding presence of artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on key technological and digital thematics at a global scale, increasing Infratil鈥檚 Kao Data stake demonstrates our confidence in the sector鈥檚 prospects.鈥�
David Bloom, partner, Goldacre NO脡 Group and chairman, Kao Data, commented: 鈥淭his moment marks an important next step in the Kao Data journey. With Infratil and L&G raising their stakes in the business, we are well-positioned for the growth opportunities presented by the data centre market, including the exploration of opportunities across Europe.聽
鈥淭he founder investors had a clear vision for this business, and their continued presence as shareholders gives confidence about our ability to realise the potential of Kao Data.鈥�