CVC DIF Invests in German AI Data Center Firm firstcolo

CVC DIF, the infrastructure investment arm of global private markets firm CVC, has secured a substantial majority stake in firstcolo GmbH, a German digital infrastructure provider. This strategic acquisition, made through CVC DIF Value Add IV, signals a significant push into Germany's rapidly expanding data center market, particularly focusing on high-performance computing and artificial intelligence workloads. The transaction, which sees CUBE Infrastructure as the seller, is anticipated to conclude by the close of September 2026, pending standard regulatory approvals.

The investment is set to accelerate the development of firstcolo's ambitious FRA7 project in Rosbach vor der Höhe, near Frankfurt. This new facility is engineered to be a cutting-edge, AI-ready data center, designed to accommodate demanding computational needs. With a planned total capacity of 24 MW and an IT load capacity of up to 16 MW, FRA7 will feature infrastructure capable of supporting high-density racks, delivering up to 200 kW per rack. This advanced setup is crucial for powering intensive GPU clusters, AI training, and inference operations, as well as other compute-heavy applications.

firstcolo, established in 2007, brings a decade and a half of experience in operating data centers and providing digital infrastructure services within the Frankfurt metropolitan area. The company currently manages two facilities and serves over 350 clients with a comprehensive suite of colocation, dedicated hardware, cloud, connectivity, and managed services. Their operational ethos emphasizes highly available, certified infrastructure coupled with direct technical support and personalized client relationships.

The FRA7 project is a cornerstone of firstcolo's growth strategy, emphasizing energy efficiency with a target Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) below 1.2. The facility's design incorporates advanced liquid cooling solutions, robust power systems, and scalable connectivity, positioning it to meet the stringent requirements of next-generation computing. Furthermore, firstcolo has proactively secured the site, necessary permits, and power supply through a turnkey construction model. A key element of its sustainability strategy involves a partnership with regional energy provider OVAG, ensuring energy supply and facilitating the reuse of waste heat for local district heating networks.

The founders of firstcolo, Jerome Evans (CEO) and Nicolaj Kamensek (COO), will continue to lead the company's operational and strategic direction, retaining significant equity stakes. They will work alongside CFO Dennis Bergfeld and the existing management team to guide firstcolo through this new expansion phase. Evans highlighted the partnership with CVC DIF as a validation of the company's achievements and a crucial step towards realizing their vision of becoming a leading German colocation provider, capable of supporting advanced AI and cloud workloads with reliable, long-term predictable infrastructure.

This investment aligns with broader market trends favoring specialized, high-performance data centers capable of handling the exponential growth in data processing driven by AI and machine learning. The Frankfurt region, a major European digital hub, continues to attract significant investment in digital infrastructure, underscoring its strategic importance. CVC DIF's commitment to energy-efficient and AI-ready facilities like FRA7 positions firstcolo to capitalize on this demand, potentially serving as a blueprint for future developments in other key German markets.