Former Amazon Web Services CEO Adam Selipsky is returning to the world of cloud infrastructure as co-founder and CEO of Helix Digital Infrastructure, a newly-launched company backed by more than $10 billion.
The company was unveiled Thursday by investment firm KKR, which is partnering with Nvidia, power producer Vistra, and the Kuwait Investment Authority to build infrastructure aimed at supporting the growing demand for artificial intelligence computing. Bloomberg first reported the news in April.
Selipsky brings deep experience in cloud computing and enterprise technology. He joined AWS in 2005, helped build the business during its early years, served as CEO of Seattle-based Tableau Software from 2016 to 2021, and then returned to lead AWS before stepping down last year. He joined KKR as a senior technology and AI strategy advisor last September.
Helix plans to develop and operate data centers and related infrastructure, including power generation, fiber connectivity and land development. The company is targeting large technology customers that are racing to expand AI capacity amid increasing constraints around electricity availability, grid access and data center construction.
“Large users of digital infrastructure have an urgent need to reduce complexity and unlock new capacity,” Selipsky said in a statement. “Helix combines significant long-term capital with the capabilities and expertise to deliver holistic AI infrastructure solutions with speed and scale.”
Appearing on CNBC on Thursday morning, Selipsky said the large hyperscalers that will become Helix’ customers need help and that it’s a “misnomer” that complex data center projects are easy to scale.
“It is hard, and it is becoming even harder with AI and the pace of the buildouts and the scale of the buildouts,” Selipsky said. “They absolutely have the capabilities to do a lot of these things in house, and they absolutely need reliable partners.” He said that over 25 percent of announced data center projects are not delivering, and that’s why he’s in the middle of bringing on seasoned operators who can deliver for customers.
KKR and the Kuwait Investment Authority are providing the initial capital backing for the venture. Nvidia is joining as a founding investor and strategic partner, while Vistra will serve as Helix’s preferred power provider.
Waldemar Szlezak, KKR’s global head of digital infrastructure, will serve as chief investment officer. The company said it plans to bring in additional institutional investors over time.
The launch comes as demand for AI computing continues to drive massive investment in data centers, power generation, and other infrastructure needed to support increasingly sophisticated AI systems. it also comes at a time of growing public concern over data center construction in many communities, including the City of Seattle which just instituted a one year emergency ban on major data centers.
We’ve reached out to Helix for additional comment, and we will update this post as we learn more.
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