Major Funding Round for Data Center Expansion
APAC data center operator DayOne is reportedly seeking to raise approximately $1 billion in a new funding round to fuel its expansion beyond the Asia-Pacific region, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company, which recently became an independent entity, is said to be tapping both new and existing investors for the Series C round.
The substantial funding round could potentially value the business between $4-5 billion, the report indicates. Company representatives confirmed to Reuters that DayOne was exploring equity fundraising opportunities, though specific terms remain undisclosed.
From Regional Player to Global Contender
DayOne represents the former international business unit of Chinese data center firm GDS, which completed its rebranding as an independent company earlier this year. This move toward independence marks a significant strategic shift for the operator as it positions itself for global competition.
The company’s current portfolio comprises more than 500MW of data center capacity already in service or under construction, with an additional 500MW allocated for future development across strategic locations including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan. Recent groundbreakings in Thailand and Singapore demonstrate the company’s continued commitment to regional growth even as it eyes international markets.
European Expansion Underway
DayOne has already made its first strategic move beyond Asian markets with the announcement of a major campus development in Lahti, Finland, located approximately 100km northeast of Helsinki. The €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) project will transform a former industrial site in Kiveriö into a state-of-the-art data center facility.
At full build-out, analysts suggest the Finnish project could deliver up to 128MW of IT load capacity, representing a significant foothold in the European market. This expansion aligns with broader industry developments toward distributed computing infrastructure across global markets.
Leadership Vision for Global Growth
In earlier statements to industry media, DayOne CEO Jamie Khoo expressed ambitious plans for international expansion. “We want to grow outside Asia one day,” Khoo stated, adding that “There are plans, and I hope we’ll be able to do it faster than some people think.”
The substantial funding round reportedly aims to accelerate this timeline, potentially enabling the company to explore additional markets in Europe or the United States. This expansion strategy comes amid significant recent technology investments across the digital infrastructure sector.
Strategic Positioning in Competitive Market
The data center operator’s push for global expansion arrives during a period of intense competition and growing demand for cloud infrastructure worldwide. Industry observers note that DayOne’s established presence across multiple Asian markets provides a strong foundation for international growth.
The company’s transition to independence and subsequent global ambitions reflect broader market trends toward specialized data center operators capturing specific regional opportunities while expanding their global footprint. This strategic direction appears timed to capitalize on increasing digital transformation demands across multiple continents.
As the digital infrastructure landscape evolves with related innovations in artificial intelligence and edge computing, established operators like DayOne are positioning themselves to meet growing capacity requirements. The reported funding round, if successful, would significantly accelerate the company’s ability to compete on the global stage against established international players.
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