Helix Digital to Fix Fragmented Data Centre Infrastructure

Global investment firm KKR has started a new data centre infrastructure company called Helix Digital Infrastructure to deploy AI compute facilities with more than US$10bn in committed capital. 

The company brings together data centre construction, energy supply and network connectivity under one commercial structure.

Adam Selipsky, CEO of Helix, joined from AWS where he spent 15 years scaling cloud operations. Writing on LinkedIn, Adam described the infrastructure gap he observed during his tenure:

“In my 15 years helping build a US$100bn revenue business and scale cloud infrastructure with AWS, I saw firsthand what happens when demand for compute outpaces the physical infrastructure behind it.”

Solving that exact bottleneck is where Helix plans to disrupt the market. 

Infrastructure fragmentation limits deployment

Conventional procurement separates real estate, power contracts and fibre installation into distinct processes. This fragmentation could slow the build-out of AI training and inference capacity. Helix positions itself as a unified provider for hyperscale customers requiring all three components at once.

“Data centres, power and connectivity have all too often been built on separate tracks,” Adam says. “In the unprecedented infrastructure build-out of the AI era, that fragmentation has become an industry-wide bottleneck. This is slowing down the benefits of AI for enterprises, startups, governments, non-profits and citizens worldwide.”

The venture draws capital from the Kuwait Investment Authority, NVIDIA and Vistra alongside KKR’s balance sheet. 

According to KKR, the firm manages more than US$70bn across digital infrastructure and power assets. Helix remains open to additional institutional investors following the initial closing.

Power availability gates capacity expansion

Energy access remains the primary constraint for new data centre projects.

Vistra operates generation facilities across 18 US states and Washington, D.C. The power company joins Helix as its preferred electricity supplier.

“Power generation and grid interconnections are critical gating factors for AI infrastructure deployments,” says Jim Burke, President and CEO of Vistra.

“Helix brings together data centre development, infrastructure and power capabilities under a single umbrella, providing a one-stop shop for large load customers.

“By utilising Vistra’s existing fleet to deliver near-term power, Helix will accelerate delivery of power solutions through the use of existing assets while also bringing additionality with Vistra's best-in-class capabilities, including power generation development and power grid expertise.”

According to Vistra, the company has executed more than 5,000 megawatts of power purchase agreements with hyperscale operators. 

Jim notes the firm will apply its generation fleet and grid expertise to deliver the reliable energy AI workloads require.

NVIDIA platform integration optimises efficiency

NVIDIA will deploy its DSX platform across Helix facilities. The hardware manufacturer focuses its involvement on maximising tokens per watt and reducing time to first token for customer deployments.

“Useful AI has arrived, and demand for AI factories is extraordinary,” says Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA.

“AI is driving the largest infrastructure buildout in modern history.

“With the NVIDIA DSX platform and the Helix strategic partnership, we are bringing together a proven AI factory blueprint, world-class infrastructure expertise from KKR and long-term capital to help AI cloud providers build the next generation of intelligence infrastructure.”

The DSX platform aims to lower total cost of ownership for compute infrastructure. 

NVIDIA’s technical architecture will inform facility design decisions across the Helix portfolio.

Sovereign capital backs execution model

The Kuwait Investment Authority manages the State’s General Reserve and Future Generations Fund. Established in 1953, the sovereign wealth fund views AI infrastructure as a multi-decade investment opportunity.

“We view AI infrastructure as one of the defining long-term investment opportunities globally, and Helix is purpose-built to address it,” says Sheikh Saoud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority.

“Helix reflects a differentiated model that combines proven leadership, integrated capabilities and long-term capital required to deliver the next generation of critical digital infrastructure at scale.”

Adam notes the integration of traditionally separate sectors could give cloud providers a repeatable expansion model. 

“Large users of digital infrastructure have an urgent need to reduce complexity and unlock new capacity,” he says. “Helix combines significant long-term capital with the capabilities and expertise to deliver holistic AI infrastructure solutions with speed and scale.

“Helix is further strengthened by strategic partnerships with NVIDIA and Vistra across technology and power, which we believe will enable the company to deliver the infrastructure that will underpin hyperscalers' AI strategies for years to come.”