Every so often, a transaction comes along that serves as a material indicator of broader industry shift, and the recent announcement regarding Aligned Data Centers is one such example. Beyond the scale of the transaction, the deal underscores a strategic evolution in how global artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure is being financed, developed, and operated.
InterGlobix MagazineFounder and Editor-in-Chief Jasmine Bedi recently caught up with Aligned CEO Andrew Schaap to discuss the factors and market dynamics behind the company’s acquisition announcement—and what that means for both the company and digital infrastructure moving forward.
The scale of the impending acquisition of Aligned by the AI Infrastructure Project (AIP), MGX, and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) has dominated the headlines recently. Beyond the 40 billion USD valuation, what do you believe this partnership signals to the broader global infrastructure market?
As the largest data center acquisition to date, this deal represents an important moment for the entire industry. It moves the conversation beyond just “data centers” and into the realm of critical global infrastructure like energy or transportation.
You know, the common story right now is about consolidation—we’ve seen many companies get folded into massive, existing portfolios. But our transaction reflects a notably different approach.
This transaction is AIP’s very first investment in the space. Rather than joining an existing platform, we are working together to anchor one. They chose Aligned as a foundational partner to set the standard for what AI infrastructure looks like globally.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Schapp is a data center, IT, private equity, and real estate executive with over 25 years of complex transactional experience and multi-disciplinary senior leadership. As CEO of Aligned, Schaap is focused on accelerating business growth by delivering data center solutions through industry-leading technology and adaptive infrastructure. During his tenure, he has propelled Aligned to an impressive 87.6x growth, successfully led the company’s first international acquisition (ODATA) and strategic investment (QScale), as well as several historic capital raises and, most recently, the largest digital infrastructure acquisition in history.
Under Andrew’s leadership, Aligned has evolved into one of the largest and fastest-growing data center companies globally. He is also a founder and board member of DC Delta, a mentor for the Great Minds in STEM association, an Advisory Council member of SMU Lyle School of Engineering, and one of the global industry leaders honored in the inaugural InterGlobix Magazine Titans List.
