The Fin Inside the AirTrunk deal: how to build a $24 billion business in nine years
Sep 11, 2024
Robin Khuda, founder of AirTrunk, discusses his journey in creating a $24 billion data center giant in just nine years, driven by the booming demand for cloud computing. He outlines the challenges of scaling the business and environmental concerns ahead. Khuda reflects on the pivotal moments from humble beginnings and the strategic partnerships that fueled growth. With an ambitious target of $100 billion, he contemplates the future of AirTrunk and the impact of significant acquisitions on the tech landscape, especially in Asia.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AirTrunk's Rise
- AirTrunk, founded by Robin Khuda in 2015, was sold to Blackstone for $23.5 billion.
- This is the biggest corporate deal in Australia in 2024, highlighting AirTrunk's rapid growth.
Khuda's Vision
- Robin Khuda's success stems from recognizing the shift in top US companies from traditional industries to tech giants.
- He identified a gap in the data center market for hyperscale facilities serving these tech companies.
Early struggles
- Khuda secured Microsoft as AirTrunk's first customer, a $500 million deal for data centers in Sydney and Melbourne.
- He faced funding challenges, even resorting to using his superannuation, before securing funding from Goldman Sachs and TPG.