Zenium

Capitalizing on a growing demand for high-power, high-quality data centers

The Zenium logo

Founded in late 2013 by the management team and Newlight, Zenium Technology Partners (“Zenium”) was a de novo wholesale data center platform. Through a combination of strategic greenfield and brownfield investments, Zenium became a leading European wholesale data center operator with five assets across the United Kingdom, Germany and Turkey. In 2017, Zenium’s data center in Turkey was sold to Equinix and the remaining European business was sold to CyrusOne in 2018.

Investment Facts

Newlight was much more than an investor in Zenium. They were our true partners from Day 1, assisting in every aspect of the Zenium business build – from developing the initial strategy, executing acquisitions, raising incremental capital, securing large customer contracts, to ultimately driving the successful two-part exit.

Zenium’s Founder & CEO on Newlight as an on-the-ground partner.

Background and Newlight Value Add

In a world of ever-increasing data consumption, Newlight partnered with Zenium to capitalize on the significant demand from hyperscale cloud providers and large enterprises for high-quality, high power density, well-connected data centers in strategic locations.

Operational Assistance & Governance

Newlight provided substantial senior and junior-level personnel support in setting up operational processes, including monthly and quarterly reporting, budgeting, market analyses, controls, and compliance. Newlight underwrote each individual asset alongside management and drove analytics related to buildout costs, lease terms and capital pacing.

Business Development

Newlight applied its extensive experience in data centers and telecom infrastructure to develop analytical frameworks for evaluating new acquisition and development opportunities. The firm was closely involved with management in the diligence, negotiation, and execution of acquisitions, as well as ongoing management of the platform and sales negotiations with key customers.

Capital Raising and Structuring

Newlight supported Zenium’s rapid expansion through targeted financing activity. Newlight attracted a large international financial institution that invests in developing countries as a strategic co-investor in Turkey, enabling management to leverage Newlight's local network and experience. Newlight also led the process for Zenium’s debt financings, including a debt commitment from a syndicate of banks for a greenfield development in Germany.

The Case Studies are not necessarily representative of all past or current Newlight portfolio companies but were selected to illustrate Newlight's management approach and are intended for potential portfolio company executives. Certain statements about Newlight made by portfolio company executives herein are intended to illustrate Newlight’s business relationship with such persons, including with respect to Newlight’s facilities as a business partner, rather than Newlight’s capabilities or expertise with respect to investment advisory services. Portfolio company executives were not compensated in connection with their participation, although they generally receive compensation and investment opportunities in connection with their portfolio company roles, and in certain cases are also owners of portfolio company securities and/or investors in Newlight-sponsored vehicles. Such compensation and investments subject participants to potential conflicts of interest in making the statements herein. Newlight does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completements of the information contained herein and it should not be assumed that investments made in the future will be comparable in quality of performance to the investments described herein. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. See the “Case Studies” section of the Disclosures page for important information about these Case Studies.
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