Bain Eyes $10B Data Center Sale Amid AI Boom

Bain Capital is reportedly initiating the sale process for a substantial stake, potentially up to 70%, in its Bridge Data Centers (BDC) business. The private equity firm is exploring options as demand for AI infrastructure escalates. Citigroup and JPMorgan have been engaged to manage the sale, distributing preliminary marketing materials to interested investors.

This potential divestment by Bain, an investor in BDC since 2017, occurs amidst a record-breaking surge in tech sector dealmaking, significantly boosted by the race for AI-ready assets. Data centers are increasingly viewed as critical infrastructure for the AI revolution, offering stable cash flows.

BDC, based in Singapore, operates major data-center campuses in Malaysia, Thailand, and India. The company secured $2.8 billion in debt financing last year and has announced plans to invest up to 5 billion Singapore dollars in Malaysia for AI-powered digital infrastructure, aiming for significant regional capacity growth by 2030.

In recent years, Bain has been active in reshaping its data center holdings, including the approximately $4 billion sale of its China business from WinTriX DC Group in January 2026. The firm had previously merged BDC with Chindata in 2019 before taking Chindata private in 2024 for $3.16 billion.

Despite strong investor interest, concerns linger regarding the sustainability of high valuations and potential geopolitical risks. Diversification of geographies and tenants is highlighted as crucial for operators.

ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, serves as a key tenant for BDC's Malaysian hyperscale data center. Chinese technology firms are increasingly utilizing data centers in countries like Malaysia to access advanced AI chips.