KKR Launches Helix to Fund Next-Gen AI Infrastructure

Global investment firm KKR has unveiled a new data centre infrastructure platform, Helix Digital Infrastructure (Helix), launching with more than US$10bn in committed capital.

The company is focused on scaling the facilities, power generation and connectivity needed to support the rapid growth of AI-driven workloads.

Helix is supported by a group of founding investors, including the Kuwait Investment Authority, technology leader NVIDIA and integrated energy provider Vistra.

In a LinkedIn post announcing his new role, the incoming CEO shared the rationale behind his decision to join the venture.

“In my 15 years helping build a US$100bn revenue business and scale cloud infrastructure with Amazon Web Services (AWS), I saw firsthand what happens when demand for compute outpaces the physical infrastructure behind it,” says Adam Selipsky, CEO of Helix.

Addressing hyperscale bottlenecks

The financial intricacies involved in funding data centres and meeting their associated energy requirements continue to pose a significant challenge for the technology sector.
Traditionally, operators have treated real estate, power procurement and network connectivity as separate processes.

Helix aims to streamline this approach by acting as a unified coordination layer, enabling hyperscalers to secure all three components in tandem.

Addressing this issue, Adam explains: “Data centres, power and connectivity have all too often been built on separate tracks. 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.”

KKR is supporting its anchor investment via its balance sheet alongside other managed funds.

The firm also brings the backing of a broader digital infrastructure platform, with more than US$70bn already deployed across digital and energy assets.

With initial commitments now secured, Helix is positioned to welcome additional qualified institutional investors.

Securing data centre power

Energy availability continues to represent the primary constraint for new capacity.

Within the Helix model, Vistra will serve as the preferred power partner, supporting its infrastructure investments.

The company operates a broad portfolio of generation assets spanning 18 US states and Washington, DC.

“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. 

“Vistra has a proven track record in executing more than 5,000 megawatts of power purchase agreements with hyperscalers and looks forward to leveraging our leading and diverse generation fleet and operational expertise as Helix’s preferred power partner to help deliver the reliable, affordable energy these customers require.”

Integrating computing and capital

The technical architecture underpinning Helix-branded data centres will be delivered in collaboration with NVIDIA.

The chipmaker will act as a strategic partner, deploying its DSX platform to optimise tokens per watt, reduce total cost of ownership and accelerate time to first token across investments.

“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 initiative is also backed by sovereign capital. Founded in 1953, the Kuwait Investment Authority oversees the State’s General Reserve and Future Generations Fund.

“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.”

Coordinated execution strategy

Waldemar Szlezak, KKR’s Global Head of Digital Infrastructure, will serve as Chief Investment Officer of the new entity.

The leadership team will oversee a portfolio spanning baseload power generation, transmission infrastructure and fibre connectivity.

By bringing these traditionally siloed components together, the company aims to provide cloud providers with a scalable and repeatable framework for expanding their physical infrastructure footprint.

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

“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.”