Digital Realty CEO Andy Power emphasized that private fundraising has become essential for the data center REIT's success as capital requirements intensify. Speaking on The PERE Podcast, Power outlined why the company's multi-series, multi-region fundraising strategy matters for pursuing lucrative opportunities in the growing data center market.

The Austin-based REIT operates in an environment where digital transformation workflows have already embedded strong demand for data center capacity. Cloud computing needs are expanding at roughly one-third annually, creating sustained pressure on infrastructure providers to scale operations rapidly.

Artificial intelligence's emergence adds another layer of capital intensity to the equation. As businesses worldwide adopt AI-driven solutions, the demand for high-performance computing facilities and storage infrastructure continues rising. This technological shift requires substantial upfront investment in facilities, equipment, and connectivity.

Power's comments suggest Digital Realty views private capital markets as necessary to supplement traditional public REIT financing. The company's fundraising approach targets multiple regions simultaneously, indicating geographic diversification across data center markets. These capital raises will likely support expansion into new territories while meeting the escalating infrastructure demands of cloud and AI workloads.