Importantly, this equity infusion represents half of a planned USD 1.2 billion financing package. In addition, Neysa plans to raise another USD 600 million in debt funding, leveraging the strength of Blackstone’s equity commitment. According to a joint statement issued by Blackstone and the company, the combined financing will significantly bolster Neysa’s long-term growth strategy.

Moreover, Blackstone’s investment is expected to translate into a majority ownership stake in the Mumbai-headquartered startup. Alongside Blackstone, the equity round also attracted participation from prominent investors such as Teachers’ Venture Growth, TVS Capital Funds, 360 ONE Assets, and existing backer Nexus Venture Partners.

Founded in 2023 by Sharad Sanghi and Anindya Das, Neysa operates in the GPU-led cloud and AI infrastructure segment. Specifically, the company provides high-performance compute capacity and advanced software tools that help enterprises, startups, government bodies, and other organisations build, deploy, and scale artificial intelligence applications efficiently.

Furthermore, Neysa’s platform delivers mission-critical AI cloud services, supported by specialised capacity management and orchestration tools designed for large-scale AI model deployment. Consequently, the startup positions itself as a robust alternative to global hyperscaler clouds, particularly for workloads that require localised, scalable AI infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the company plans to deploy the fresh capital to expand GPU capacity, broaden the rollout of AI compute infrastructure, and accelerate product innovation. At the same time, Neysa intends to significantly scale its GPU installations, drawing strategic advantage from Blackstone’s global relationships, operational expertise, and ecosystem access.

Blackstone’s landmark investment not only propels Neysa into the unicorn club but also underscores a broader shift toward AI-first infrastructure development in India. With substantial capital, strategic backing, and accelerating demand, Neysa now stands well-positioned to play a defining role in shaping India’s AI cloud ecosystem at scale.

Blackstone is negotiating to buy out Neysa, while Lightspeed, similar to SoftBank, is exploring a $40–50 million minority investment in the Z47 and Nexus Venture Partners-backed company.

“Blackstone wants to buy a majority stake in Neysa, while SoftBank and Lightspeed are discussing a minority investment that is expected to value the company at around $250-300 million,” said one of the persons, who did not wish to be identified. “These are all early-stage negotiations.”

This potential $250–300 million valuation represents a major jump for the startup, which previously held a valuation of around $76 million during its October 2024 funding round.

Neysa marks the second entrepreneurial venture of Sharad Sanghi, who earlier founded Netmagic, one of India’s oldest data centre services providers.

Mumbai-based Neysa, founded in 2023 by Sanghi and former senior Netmagic executive Anindya Das, delivers compute power and software tools that help businesses—from large enterprises to startups and even governments—build, run, and manage artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The company secured $50 million across two funding rounds in 2024 from Nexus Venture Partners, Z47, Blume Ventures, and NTTVC.

“Indian founders are going all-in on the application layer of AI, but very few are taking on the infrastructure layer because of its capital-intensive nature… It needs land, power, and deep technical talent, and that’s not an easy mix for most startups,” said a technology investor. “That’s why we’re seeing many entrepreneurs from India building software and enterprise tools instead. Neysa’s founding team, though, has already built at that scale with Netmagic, which makes them stand out in the sense that they actually know how to pull off AI infrastructure in India.”

Neysa did not respond to queries until press time. Emails sent to Lightspeed and SoftBank also went unanswered. Blackstone declined to comment.

Nevertheless, ongoing negotiations for a stake in Neysa highlight rising investor interest in Indian alternatives to hyperscalers.

Earlier, reports noted that global hyperscalers and domestic conglomerates plan to invest more than $50 billion over the next five to seven years in India’s data centre sector, raising capacity to about 9 GW from around 1.5 GW currently. Moreover, a CBRE report indicated that India’s operational data centre capacity reached 1.5 GW as of September, with nearly 260 MW added between January and September.

This growth includes planned investments from Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Meta, along with major Indian players such as Adani, Bharti Airtel, Reliance Industries, TCS, and L&T.

If the Neysa transaction materializes, it will mark Masayoshi Son-led SoftBank’s first India investment under its renewed strategy of supporting large AI-driven IT and infrastructure services companies.

For Blackstone, which manages approximately $50 billion in India, a buyout would further strengthen its expansion in the country’s data-centre infrastructure space. The firm launched Lumina Cloudinfra in 2022, and the platform has continued to scale rapidly in India’s fast-growing data centre and digital infrastructure sector. Additionally, Australian data centre operator AirTrunk, also owned by Blackstone, recently announced plans to build its next facility in India to serve accelerating AI-driven demand.

However, the company did not reveal the lender’s identity.

Moreover, the capital raise includes a proportional follow-on equity infusion from CloudExtel’s existing shareholders, and this infusion will directly support its planned expansion initiatives, according to the company’s statement.

CloudExtel will deploy the debt to finance its upcoming Data Centre Interconnect (DCI) network initiative, which aims to deliver high-capacity, low-latency, and redundant connectivity between data centers—critical infrastructure for AI workloads, cloud computing, and digital content distribution.

Furthermore, the company will launch the network in Mumbai first, and it will later extend the rollout to major metro regions such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Pune.

Additionally, CloudExtel Co-Founder and CEO Kunal Bajaj stated, “These funds will help us scale more rapidly, deepen our infrastructure presence, and continue driving impact through collaboration and technology-led efficiency. Our upcoming Data Center Interconnect network in Mumbai, and subsequent rollout in other cities, will further strengthen our competitive positioning and ability to deliver integrated solutions for India’s digital future.”

CloudExtel positions itself as a full-stack Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) provider, and it offers next-generation digital infrastructure solutions, including small cell hosting, fibre connectivity, FTTH, and shared RAN services.

Besides this, the company—backed by Macquarie Capital and Advencap—has deployed more than 6,500 small cells across 500 cities, laid over 12,000 km of fibre, and enabled FTTH connectivity for more than one million homes.

In a regulatory filing on Saturday, the company revealed that its subsidiary, Anant Raj Cloud Pvt Ltd (ARCPL), has signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to develop data center infrastructure along with an IT park in the state. Additionally, the investment will focus on data centre and cloud service development.

According to the company, the MoU aims to enable the creation of a data centre–IT park within a defined timeline.

“ARCPL will make a direct investment of approximately Rs 4,500 crore, to be executed in two phases,” Anant Raj said. The agreement outlines a phased investment approach for the development of the integrated facility.

The project will create around 8,500 direct jobs and 7,500 indirect jobs. APEDB will actively support the project’s execution by coordinating with central authorities, while limiting its role to promoting and enabling investments in the state.

Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, witnessed the formalization of the MoU on Friday.

This planned investment comes in addition to the company’s 307 MW of data centre capacity currently under development. At present, Anant Raj operates 28 MW of IT load at its Manesar and Panchkula campuses and is targeting a total capacity of 307 MW by 2031–32 across Manesar, Panchkula, and Rai in Haryana.

In June 2024, Anant Raj partnered with Orange Business, a French IT and telecom services company, to provide managed cloud services in India, further strengthening its technological capabilities.

The company also reiterated that it is on track to reach an installed IT load capacity of 117 MW by FY28. Established in 1969, Anant Raj has completed 9.96 million sq ft of residential and commercial development and owns nearly 320 acres of debt-free land in the Delhi-NCR region.

For the first half of FY26, Anant Raj reported ₹1,223.20 crore in revenue and ₹264.08 crore in profit after tax, further demonstrating its strong financial performance.

The US-based alternative asset manager is evaluating a majority stake, while SoftBank is considering a minority investment, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the talks remain confidential.

Founded in 2023 by Sharad Sanghi and Anindya Das, Neysa Networks provides cloud-computing infrastructure that enables companies to run artificial intelligence (AI) models on demand. The startup has already raised about $50 million from investors such as Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners India) and Nexus Venture Partners, according to details available on its website.

While Blackstone declined to comment on the matter, representatives for SoftBank and Neysa did not respond to requests for comment. Insiders noted that the potential deal could value Neysa at under $300 million, although any incoming investor would likely need to infuse additional capital to support the company’s ambitious expansion plans.

The growing investor interest reflects a global surge in funding for data centers and cloud infrastructure, driven by the booming demand for AI services. Investors worldwide are channeling billions into capital-intensive data ecosystems to power next-generation AI models. However, some experts continue to question whether the sector might be overbuilding capacity ahead of proven, long-term profitability.

If finalized, the deal would mark SoftBank’s first new investment in India in over three years, signaling a potential renewed focus on the country’s fast-growing AI and digital ecosystem. For Blackstone, a transaction with Neysa would further strengthen its digital infrastructure portfolio in India, complementing its existing real estate and infrastructure investments.

In 2024, Amit Dixit, Blackstone’s Head of Private Equity in Asia, had emphasized that data centers remain a key area of growth. The firm already backs Lumina CloudInfra in India and AirTrunk, the Australian data center operator it acquired, which has announced plans to build its next facility in India.

The interest in Neysa comes amid a wave of global data center partnerships. In 2023, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Digital Realty teamed up with Reliance Industries Ltd., while Google and Adani Enterprises Ltd. revealed plans just last month to invest $15 billion in Indian data centers, underscoring the massive momentum in the country’s digital infrastructure landscape.

The U.S.-based company will use the funds to purchase Yondr Group’s hyperscale campus in Johor’s Sedenak Tech Park. Once operational, the site will provide over 300 megawatts of IT capacity, boosting Vantage’s total capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to 1 gigawatt. The investment reflects the growing demand for digital infrastructure, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence and cloud computing, the company said.

“This significant investment marks a pivotal milestone in our APAC growth journey,” said Jeremy Deutsch, president of Vantage Data Centers, APAC.

“With the support of GIC and ADIA, we are positioned as one of the largest providers of sustainable AI and cloud digital infrastructure in the region.”

“Adding the Johor campus to our portfolio will bring our APAC footprint to 1 GW of capacity. This acquisition enables Vantage APAC to continue to deliver scale and speed for our customers,” he added.

GIC and ADIA already invest in Vantage, and DigitalBridge, a global digital infrastructure investment firm, backs the company as well.

“As a leading global data center developer and operator, Vantage is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for data center capacity in the APAC region.”

“We look forward to contributing to its ongoing expansion and success,” he added.

Founded in 2010, Vantage Data Centers operates hyperscale campuses—large-scale data centers—across five continents, according to its website. Vantage will finalize the investment and the Johor campus acquisition in the fourth quarter.

Khadem AlRemeithi, executive director of the infrastructure department at ADIA, said that more importantly, this expansion of the firm’s existing relationship with Vantage—one of the world’s leading developers and operators of hyperscale data centers—closely aligns with their strategy of investing in infrastructure that not only drives growth but also enables digitalization.

“This new commitment supports the growth of Vantage’s APAC platform at a time when advances in AI and cloud computing are driving regional demand for data center capacity,” he added.

Jon Mauck, senior managing director and head of data centers at DigitalBridge, said Vantage is entering an exciting moment as it accelerates its expansion across APAC.

“GIC and ADIA have been trusted, long-term partners, and their continued support underscores confidence in Vantage’s ability to execute at scale in high-demand markets,” he added.

Vantage Data Centers’ $1.6 billion investment, backed by GIC and ADIA, not only strengthens its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region but also highlights the surging demand for hyperscale digital infrastructure. With the upcoming acquisition of Yondr’s Johor campus, the company will significantly expand its capacity and play a pivotal role in supporting the region’s rapidly growing AI and cloud computing needs.

The round also saw participation from Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, NextEquity Partners, Prosperity7 Ventures, and existing investors including Eight Roads, Cisco chairman and CEO John Chambers, and Sorenson Capital, the company announced on July 31.

Saket Modi, Viditkumar Baxi, and Rahul Tyagi founded Safe Security in 2012 and incubated it at IIT-Bombay, running the company as a bootstrapped startup for its first four years.

Modi, a computer science graduate, along with his team, had earlier contributed to the security assessment of the BHIM app, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

The cybersecurity startup enables organizations to quantify, prioritize, and mitigate cyber risks across their entire digital ecosystem by leveraging autonomous AI agents.

Its product portfolio focuses on three core areas: Cyber Risk Quantification (CRQ), Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM), and Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). The company claims to be the first to offer fully autonomous solutions in both TPRM and CTEM, further strengthening its leadership in the CRQ domain.

With the newly raised capital, Safe Security aims to accelerate the development of “CyberAGI”—a next-generation cybersecurity superintelligence powered by Agentic AI-native reasoning models, reinforcing its commitment to redefining cyber risk management through cutting-edge innovation.

The cybersecurity startup has also introduced what it claims is the world’s first fully autonomous Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) solution, integrated within its broader Cyber Risk Singularity platform. This launch marks a significant step in the company’s mission to deliver proactive, AI-driven cyber risk management, enabling organizations to continuously identify and address vulnerabilities across their digital infrastructure with minimal human intervention.

“This is a defining moment in our pursuit of CyberAGI,” said Modi, co-founder and CEO of Safe. “When we launched our platform in 2020, we carefully selected a market that would be the foundation of cyber risk management—Cyber Risk Quantification. Not only did we shape the category, we’ve become its undisputed leader.”

In 2023, Safe Security applied its autonomous AI-driven approach to Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM), and is now extending the same methodology to Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) as the next frontier in cyber risk mitigation, the company said.

According to the cybersecurity startup, over 50% of its customers have already adopted the TPRM module, reflecting strong market validation for its AI-native cybersecurity solutions.

Nishant Rao, founding partner, Avataar Ventures, said the firm saw Safe not as another detection tool but as a “strategic intelligence layer” across the cybersecurity stack.

“Most cybersecurity sub-sectors we’ve evaluated are either overcrowded or limited to tactical, widget-like solutions. But cybersecurity today is a boardroom and CEO-level priority, and that’s not changing anytime soon,” Rao said.

“The company has shown consistent 120%+ year-on-year growth since its launch,” he said.

Safe Security claims to have recorded triple-digit revenue growth for three consecutive years and has raised over $170 million in funding to date. The cybersecurity startup’s growing customer base includes major global enterprises such as Google, Fidelity, T-Mobile, Chevron, and IHG, underscoring its strong market traction and credibility in the cybersecurity space.

Distinguished Speakers Include:

• John Mankarios – Vice President Information Technology, QInvest

• Amr Metwally – Director of Clinical Simulation & Innovation, Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center

• Magdy Mansour – GM IT, Doha Cables 

• Ugur Sanal Inal – Information Technology Director, QTerminals

• Bilal Rao – Head of IT and OT Cybersecurity, RKH Qitarat

• Farhan Chaudhry – VP Cyber Security, Governance, Risk and Compliance & Aircraft Cyber Security, Qatar Airways Group

• Rashid Al-Obaidli – Head of Information Security, Media Broadcast Company

Supporting Partners:

• Arab Association for Cyber Security

• CREST

• Women In Cyber Security Middle East

Strategic Regional Media Partners:

• Fadaat Media, Al Araby Al Jadeed, Alaraby2

Cybersecurity Strategic Sponsors: (to name a few)

• Mannai Corporation

• F5

• Fortra

• Cisco

• Tenable

• Google Cloud Security 

CYSEC QATAR will offer a dynamic blend of thought-provoking sessions, keynotes, technical presentations and business networking opportunities. Attendees will explore the latest cybersecurity innovations and technologies through exhibitions and live demos from industry-leading sponsors, including TFG, CommVault, Amiviz, Intercede, Picus, Tenable, Google Cloud Security, Phishrod, Exabeam, Cyble, Atos, Eviden, Paratus, Secpod, Immersive Labs, Threatlocker, and Cofense.

The summit will also have the CYSEC Capture The Flag Championship Hosted by Cisco and Mannai Networking & ELV. This special session will be a high-energy, interactive competition that puts participants’ cybersecurity skills to the test in real-time hacking scenarios and cryptographic challenges. With challenges designed for various skill levels, participants will collaborate, learn, and showcase their expertise in a thrilling environment. 

A crucial part of the event is the most awaited CYSEC AWARDS, celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership in cybersecurity. This ceremony will honor the industry’s most groundbreaking solutions, initiatives, and thought leaders who are shaping Qatar’s cybersecurity landscape. 

The highlight of the evening is the SHELEADS HONORARY AWARDS, celebrating women driving technology and innovation in Qatar. Honorees include Barbara Zimmer, Director of Digital Experiences & Products at Visit Qatar; Dr. Noora Fetais, Founding President of the Arab Association for Cybersecurity and founder of Qatar Women in Cyber Security; Archana Shetty, Vice President – IT Project Management at QNB; and Sarah Abdulrahman A H Al Mawlawi, Director of Corporate Information Security at Ooredoo Qatar, to name a few.

With over 6 hours dedicated to networking, the summit will foster meaningful connections and collaborations among professionals, driving the future of cybersecurity in the region. It will serve as a vital platform for exchanging ideas, creating partnerships, and strengthening digital security strategies to safeguard Qatar’s digital future.

For more information about CYSEC QATAR 2025, including speaker details and registration, visit the official website: https://www.cysecqatar.com/