Gnomon Capital Buys Croatian Data Center

Gnomon Capital has finalized its acquisition of DC North, a significant Croatian data center facility, marking a strategic expansion for the private equity firm into the burgeoning digital infrastructure sector of Central and Eastern Europe. The deal, which saw the official transfer of shares on May 27, 2026, underscores a growing investor confidence in the region's capacity for advanced technological operations.

The acquired asset, often referred to as Croatia's 'Fort-Knox' due to its robust security protocols, is located in Varaždin, northern Croatia. This facility represents the country's largest carrier-neutral data center, a critical feature for attracting diverse network providers and ensuring competitive connectivity options for its clients. Its operational capacity stands at 4MW, with 21,500 square feet dedicated to IT infrastructure, distributed across six distinct IT rooms, each outfitted with 104 server racks.

This strategic positioning is further enhanced by its location at the nexus of three redundant fiber optic routes. This network convergence is paramount for guaranteeing high availability and resilience, essential attributes for any modern data center operator aiming to serve demanding enterprise and cloud service clients. The facility commenced operations in late 2023, initially developed by cloud operator Cratis and manufacturing firm Muraplast.

The acquisition aligns with a broader trend of increased private equity interest in digital infrastructure across emerging European markets. Investors are increasingly recognizing the long-term value proposition of data centers, driven by escalating data consumption, cloud adoption, and the ongoing digital transformation initiatives across industries. The demand for secure, reliable, and well-connected data storage and processing capabilities continues to climb, with the European data center market projected for substantial growth in the coming years.

Gnomon Capital's move to acquire DC North positions the firm to capitalize on these market dynamics. The carrier-neutral model of the facility provides a flexible platform for future expansion and service enhancement. This strategic investment is expected to unlock further value creation opportunities, potentially through upgrades, capacity expansion, or by attracting new tenants and services to the Croatian market.

The Croatian data center market, while smaller than Western European counterparts, offers attractive entry points with significant growth potential. Factors such as favorable operational costs, a skilled workforce, and increasing government support for digital initiatives contribute to its appeal. Gnomon Capital's acquisition of DC North is a clear indicator of the firm's foresight in identifying and investing in key digital infrastructure assets within these promising geographies.