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 NOÉ Group, Kao Data’s 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.
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 £350 million and aims to create a leading infrastructure hub to support the city region’s growing technology, AI, and scientific research ecosystems.
The new shareholdings will provide streamlined ownership and additional funding for Kao Data’s 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.
“Increasing our shareholding in Kao Data is in line with our strategy of investing in ’ideas that matter’ and continues our active support to scale the platform through contributing our extensive data centre experience,” said Vincent Gerritsen, head of UK & Europe for Morrison & Co, Infratil’s manager.
“With the expanding presence of artificial intelligence and its transformative impact on key technological and digital thematics at a global scale, increasing Infratil’s Kao Data stake demonstrates our confidence in the sector’s prospects.”
David Bloom, partner, Goldacre NOÉ Group and chairman, Kao Data, commented: “This 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.
“The 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.”