KKR launches $10 billion AI infrastructure company with Nvidia, Vistra

KKR announced the creation of Helix Digital Infrastructure, a new company backed by over $10 billion in committed capital from investors including Nvidia, Vistra, and the Kuwait Investment Authority. The venture aims to address bottlenecks in AI data-center development, such as power supply shortages and component scarcity, which have slowed Big Tech’s AI expansion. Helix will leverage Nvidia’s expertise in AI data-center design and Vistra’s power infrastructure to support large-scale projects. The company’s launch follows a broader trend of private equity firms investing in AI infrastructure, with Apollo and Blackstone recently committing $35 billion to expand AI capacity for Anthropic using Broadcom’s custom chips. KKR’s infrastructure platform, which manages over $100 billion in assets, will lead Helix, with former AWS CEO Adam Selipsky at the helm. Selipsky stepped down from AWS in May 2024 after doubling the division’s sales and operating profit since 2021. Helix will initially focus on securing founding commitments but can later add more institutional investors. The venture’s goal is to reduce complexity and unlock new capacity for digital infrastructure users, addressing growing demand for AI services. The partnership highlights the critical role of specialized funding and technical expertise in scaling AI-related data-center projects amid rising costs and supply constraints.