SWI Stoneweg Icona Group's Groundbreaking Move into AI Infrastructure with Major Investment in Polarise

SWI Stoneweg Icona Group Ventures into AI with Polarise Acquisition

In a strategically significant move, SWI Stoneweg Icona Group, listed on Euronext Amsterdam, has announced its acquisition of a majority stake in Polarise, a leading European partner of NVIDIA Cloud. This investment not only marks a pivotal expansion into the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure but also paves the way for creating a fully integrated AI infrastructure platform across Europe. The deal, valued at €0.5 billion, is expected to enhance SWI’s data center strategy and AI capabilities.

The Acquisition Details

The acquisition will bolster the SWI Group’s existing AiOnX data center platform, which currently boasts an impressive capacity of 2.3 GW. With this new investment, the SWI Group plans to integrate GPU-as-a-Service and AI-as-a-Service offerings through Polarise, thereby addressing the growing demand for high-performance computing in various sectors.

CEO Max-Hervé George expressed enthusiasm about joining forces with Polarise, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with a renowned player in the field of GPU and AI-as-a-Service, allowing us to expand our current data center investments to include crucial operational elements related to GPU computing and customer interface. Our ambition is to create the foremost digital infrastructure developer and operator in Europe."

Polarise, headquartered in Germany, is recognized for its robust digital infrastructure solutions that focus on building the underlying infrastructure necessary for AI applications, offering high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities through a mix of software and hardware services. As an established NVIDIA cloud partner and official service provider, Polarise is well-positioned to deliver critical AI computing services to both corporate clients and government entities, leveraging its 15 years of expertise in the industry.

Commitment to Future Growth

Alongside acquiring the strategic stake, SWI Group is committing an additional €1 billion for the development of Polarise's digital infrastructure strategy. This commitment highlights SWI’s belief in the structural growth of AI computing demand across Europe, necessitating well-capitalized and integrated platforms to meet the future requirements.

The partnership aims to capitalize on the combined knowledge and experience of both companies, seeking to deploy additional capabilities and accelerate the execution of new projects. This move is vital as Europe strives to keep pace in the global AI race, where speed and efficiency are critical.

Moreover, the capital infusion will enable Polarise to expand its offerings significantly, laying the groundwork for advanced AI factories powered by NVIDIA's latest GPUs. Polarise’s recent accomplishments, including the launch of the first industrial-scale AI factory in Germany in collaboration with Deutsche Telekom and NVIDIA, further cement its status as a leader in the digital infrastructure space.

Statements from Leadership

Michel Boutouil, founder and CEO of Polarise, stated, "The partnership with SWI Group will allow us to substantially accelerate our mission and reach new frontiers much more quickly—a precious time that Europe needs to reclaim in the global race for AI. Having such a robust financial commitment from a partner that keenly understands our ambitions, alongside a vast existing power network across strategic European sites, provides an excellent foundation to continue developing the digital infrastructure that Europe desperately needs."

Together, SWI Group, AiOnX, and Polarise are building an integrated European AI infrastructure platform that encompasses power, computing, and delivery.

Looking Ahead

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, collaborations like these will be integral in ensuring that Europe remains competitive. With SWI Group's and Polarise's combined dedication to leveraging the power of AI, this partnership represents a forward-looking approach to meeting the continent's technological needs. The continuous investment in AI infrastructure is crucial as industries worldwide increasingly integrate AI-driven solutions into their operations, making this partnership a critical milestone for Europe's tech ecosystem.

This transformative acquisition not only showcases SWI’s vision for the future of AI but also emphasizes the growing importance of strategic partnerships in fostering innovation and driving growth in the technology sector.