Bain Capital Launches hscale, a New Hyperscale Data Centre Platform

Bain Capital has officially launched hscale, a new hyperscale data centre platform designed to meet the growing infrastructure demands driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

The announcement marks a major step in Bain Capital’s digital infrastructure strategy, following its acquisition of AQ Compute in October 2024. hscale is set to become a key player in the hyperscale data centre space, led by a leadership team with experience in delivering nearly 7 gigawatts of capacity across EMEA and the Asia-Pacific region.

Oliver Schiebel, formerly of Mainova WebHouse, will serve as CEO, leading a team of seasoned industry professionals. hscale aims to provide flexible, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure tailored specifically to the complex and fast-evolving needs of hyperscale clients — including major AI and cloud service providers.

“Our vision with hscale is to build the fastest route to market for hyperscalers — combining cleaner energy, high-capacity infrastructure and outstanding service,” said Schiebel. “Backed by Bain Capital’s global investment strength and operational know-how, we are developing digital infrastructure that is future-proof, sustainable and built for scale.”

Bain Capital’s strategic partner in the venture is Aquila Group, which previously owned AQ Compute and retains a 20% stake in hscale. Aquila Group, along with its renewable energy arm Aquila Clean Energy, will support the platform with low-carbon energy solutions and additional capital investment. This collaboration is designed to strengthen hscale’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials and support its long-term growth.

Michael Huber, Principal at Bain Capital, confirmed that the firm plans to invest several billion euros in the coming years. The investment will support a development pipeline of over 1 gigawatt across key European cities including Frankfurt, London, Milan, Madrid, Oslo, Barcelona, and Zaragoza. Over 100 megawatts of capacity are already under construction, allowing hscale to serve clients with immediate infrastructure needs.

hscale will make its official debut as a Gold Sponsor at the Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes this June. Chief Technology Officer Abed Jishi is set to speak on a panel on June 5, where he will share the company’s technology roadmap and strategic outlook.

With demand for hyperscale capacity accelerating and sustainability playing an increasingly central role in infrastructure decisions, hscale enters the market with a compelling value proposition: AI-ready, future-focused data centres backed by the financial power of Bain Capital and the green expertise of Aquila Group.