Aware Super and DigitalBridge Announce Partnership to invest in Renewable-Powered Data Centers
BOCA RATON, Fla. – July 13, 2023 – Aware Super and DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG) (“DigitalBridge”) today announced a partnership that will see Aware Super make a significant investment in Switch, a 100% renewable-powered data center platform, which a DigitalBridge-managed investment entity acquired last year.
Aware Super Head of Infrastructure Mark Hector said, “We are pleased to partner with DigitalBridge to invest in Switch as we grow our portfolio of digital infrastructure investments. Switch’s differentiated platform of high-quality data centers and 100% carbon-neutral footprint aligns with our purpose of delivering strong, risk-adjusted returns to our 1.1 million members and as a responsible owner and operator of real assets.”
Jon Mauck, Senior Managing Director at DigitalBridge, said, “Aware Super recognizes the role of digital infrastructure in the ongoing digitization of the global economy and we welcome the opportunity to partner with them to invest in Switch, one of the industry's fastest-growing and highest-quality data center portfolios.”
Kevin Smithen, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer at DigitalBridge, said, “As a renewables-powered digital infrastructure investment, Switch is at the forefront of innovation in the data center industry and we are delighted to partner with Aware Super as they further expand their portfolio into North America and Europe and increase exposure to high-quality digital infrastructure investments.”
The partnership follows the take-private of Switch in December 2022 in which investment vehicles affiliated with the investment management platform of DigitalBridge and an affiliate of IFM Investors acquired all outstanding common shares of Switch, Inc. for $34.25 per share in cash, or approximately $11 billion, including the repayment of outstanding debt.
About Aware Super
Aware Super is one of Australia’s top performing and largest industry super funds with A$160 billion FUM*. We always remember whose money it is and whose future we’re looking after. It’s why we invest to achieve strong risk-adjusted returns over the long term for more than 1.1 million members. As one of the top 50 institutional investors globally, we typically take an active management approach across alternative assets, including infrastructure, real estate and private equity, and additionally allocate to liquid markets.
*As at July 1, 2023
About DigitalBridge
DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) is a leading global alternative asset manager dedicated to investing in digital infrastructure. With a heritage of over 25 years investing in and operating businesses across the digital ecosystem including cell towers, data centers, fiber, small cells and edge infrastructure, the DigitalBridge team manages a $69 billion portfolio of digital infrastructure assets on behalf of its limited partners and shareholders. Headquartered in Boca Raton, DigitalBridge has key offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Luxembourg and Singapore. For more information, visit: www.digitalbridge.com.
About Switch
Switch is the independent leader in exascale data center ecosystems, edge data center designs, industry-leading telecommunications solutions, and next-generation technology innovation. Switch Founder and CEO Rob Roy has developed more than 700 issued and pending patent claims covering data center designs that have manifested into the company’s world-renowned data centers and technology solutions. Visit switch.com for more information.
Private Investors:
Kevin Smithen
Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer
(646) 883-2846
kevin.smithen@digitalbridge.com
Public Investors:
Severin White
Managing Director, Head of Public Investor Relations
(212) 547-2777
severin.white@digitalbridge.com
Media:
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
Jonathan Keehner / Aura Reinhard
(212) 355.4449
dbrg-jf@joelefrank.com
Sara Bradford
Aware Super
sara.bradford@aware.com.au