Data4 secures EUR 3.3 billion in funding and appoints new Chief Investment Officer

Data4, a European data center operator and investor, has raised EUR 3.3 billion in funding to accelerate its expansion across Europe and strengthen its market position. The company has also appointed Alexander Oyaert as its new Chief Investment Officer (CIO).

Oyaert, who previously served as a strategic advisor to the Data4 Group’s management board, will now oversee all M&A and financing activities. He played a key role in securing the new financing, which includes EUR 1.1 billion allocated for greenfield investments and acquisitions. His appointment marks a crucial step in Data4’s strategic growth, particularly as it expands into new markets, including Poland, where it is developing a data center campus in Jawczyce, near Warsaw.

The newly secured capital will fuel Data4’s rapid expansion, allowing the company to scale operations across its core European markets. The Polish data center market is expected to triple in capacity and surpass 500 MW by 2030, with nearly half of that capacity dedicated to artificial intelligence services.

“We are already seeing the first results of Alexander’s work – securing this key funding to drive our expansion is a major achievement. The data center sector in Europe, including Poland, is growing dynamically, and this financing will allow us to expand our Warsaw campus and invest in future projects,” said Adam Ponichtera, Director of Data4 Poland.

With a finance degree from the University of St. Gallen and an engineering background from the Free University of Brussels, Oyaert brings a wealth of experience from leading financial firms, including Morgan Stanley and Brookfield Asset Management, where he served as Vice President in the Infrastructure Department.

“I am excited to support Data4 in continuing its success and strengthening its leadership position in the European data center market. With €3.3 billion in funding, we are well-positioned to drive growth in one of the fastest-growing sectors of real estate and critical infrastructure,” said Oyaert.

Beyond his business expertise, Oyaert also co-founded a non-profit organization focused on improving the quality of paramedic services in Belgium.

“We are delighted to welcome Alexander as our new CIO. His solid experience in the banking sector will help accelerate our expansion and develop innovative fundraising strategies,” added Olivier Micheli, CEO of Data4 Group.

Data4’s first Polish campus, located in Jawczyce near Warsaw, spans four hectares and will ultimately consist of four facilities with a total power allocation of 60 MW. The first data center, delivering 8 MW of power and covering 2,200 sqm, was commissioned in 2023.

With its latest round of financing, Data4 is set to reinforce its position as a key player in Europe’s data center sector, leveraging its strong financial backing and experienced leadership to drive future growth.