Simpson Thacher is advising KKR in connection with its launch of Helix Digital Infrastructure, a new company designed to deliver integrated infrastructure at the speed and scale required for hyperscalers to meet accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) demand. As building AI infrastructure becomes increasingly complex, Helix will serve as a single coordination point for hyperscalers’ data centers, power, connectivity and related needs. Founded with anchor investments from investors including KKR, KIA, NVIDIA and Vistra, the Helix strategy has more than $10 billion in total long-duration capital commitments to date. NVIDIA will also serve as a strategic partner to support the deployment of NVIDIA DSX AI factory-aligned infrastructure with a view to maximizing tokens per watt, achieving lowest total cost of ownership and accelerating time to first token for investments pursued by Helix. Vistra, a leading integrated power generation and electricity company with operations across 18 states and Washington, D.C., will be the preferred power provider for Helix investments. Following the closing of the founding commitments, Helix is open to additional eligible institutional investors.
Helix will be positioned as a single, trusted strategic partner to hyperscalers, armed with a long-duration, multi-billion-dollar capital base, and with integrated development capabilities and coordinated execution across AI infrastructure. The company is led by Adam Selipsky, former CEO of Amazon Web Services, who brings first-hand experience scaling the world’s largest cloud business, and deep insight into hyperscaler infrastructure priorities. He is joined by a dedicated management team and Board. Waldemar Szlezak, KKR’s Global Head of Digital Infrastructure, will serve as Helix’s Chief Investment Officer. Helix will seek to invest in and manage assets critical to enabling AI, including hyperscale data center development and operations; baseload and flexible power generation; transmission and distribution infrastructure; and fiber and connectivity infrastructure, among other assets.
The Simpson Thacher team includes Breen Haire, Shamus Crosby, Mark Kunzman, Farzin Khoshravan and Sam Curry (Energy & Infrastructure); David Rubinsky, Jana Hymowitz and Daniella Villatoro (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Nancy Mehlman and Preston Irace (Tax); Lori Lesser and Tally Smitas (Intellectual Property).