Bain Capital launches hscale with billions Europe DC builds

Bain Capital has announced the launch of hscale, a hyperscale data centre platform targeting rapid expansion across EMEA, supported by significant multi-billion euro investment and collaboration with Aquila Group.

hscale is led by Chief Executive Officer Oliver Schiebel, formerly CEO of Mainova WebHouse. The leadership team at hscale has collectively delivered 6.85 gigawatts of data centre capacity across EMEA and APAC regions. The new company is focused on developing replicable and scalable digital infrastructure designed to support the growing demands of cloud and AI services.

Bain Capital began establishing its digital infrastructure presence in EMEA by acquiring AQ Compute in October 2024. hscale is positioned as the next phase in this strategy, drawing on Bain Capital's previous experience with data centre investments in Asia and the United States. The initiative seeks to address the growing needs of hyperscale customers throughout key metropolitan areas within the region.

The current hscale footprint includes more than 100 megawatts of capacity under construction and a pipeline exceeding 1 gigawatt in cities such as Milan, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Oslo, Barcelona, and Zaragoza. The company expects to deliver near-term solutions tailored to hyperscaler requirements, with a specific emphasis on sustainability and scalability.

Aquila Group, the previous owner of AQ Compute, retains a 20 percent stake in hscale. The partnership is designed to leverage Aquila Group's expertise in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. hscale reports that, together with Aquila Group and its subsidiary Aquila Clean Energy, it will deploy low-carbon technologies and renewable energy solutions for hyperscaler clients. Aquila Group is also expected to provide substantial investment to support hscale's growth plans.

Oliver Schiebel, Chief Executive Officer at hscale, said: "hscale is set to leverage the robust capabilities and strategic assets of our heritage firm, aligning them with the innovative strategies and global expertise of Bain Capital. With access to cleaner energy projects, we will develop future-proof, scalable digital infrastructure tailored to the evolving needs of hyperscalers, driven by the rapid growth of AI and cloud services. Our friendly, honest and timely customer service sets hscale apart, allowing our customers the quickest journey to market."

Michael Huber, a Principal at Bain Capital, stated: "With a planned multi-billion Euro investment over the coming years, hscale is poised for rapid expansion. Our strategic pipeline includes over 1GW of projects in key locations such as Milan, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Oslo, Barcelona, and Zaragoza, with more than 100MW already under construction. This positions hscale to deliver near-term solutions that meet the specific requirements of our hyperscaler clients."

hscale's approach is to provide customer-focused and scalable data centre infrastructure that can keep pace with changing market needs, particularly regarding the increasing demands created by artificial intelligence and cloud-based services. The company also prioritises the integration of low-carbon and renewable energy solutions, supporting clients' ESG goals by designing facilities with features such as ultra-high-density cooling, liquid cooling and heat reuse.

The launch of hscale represents Bain Capital's ongoing commitment to expanding its digital infrastructure footprint in Europe, the Middle East and Africa by deploying capital and operational expertise into large-scale data centre development. The collaboration with Aquila Group is designed to ensure that sustainable practices remain central to the expansion plan.