Nvidia-Backed Nscale Raises $2B at $14.6B Valuation to Expand Global AI Data Centers
British AI infrastructure company Nscale completes $2B Series C funding round led by Aker and 8090 Industries, reaching $14.6B valuation, aims to expand global AI data center footprint.
On March 9, 2026, British AI infrastructure startup Nscale announced the completion of a $2 billion Series C funding round, led by Norwegian energy giant Aker and 8090 Industries. This round values Nscale at $14.6 billion, signaling continued strong investor appetite for AI compute infrastructure.
The Nvidia-Endorsed Data Center Newcomer
Nscale is a UK-based AI infrastructure company specializing in building large-scale AI data centers. Founded in 2020 and led by founder Thomas McIlraith, the company has rapidly grown to become a key player in Europe's AI compute sector.
This funding round received backing from Nvidia. Nvidia participated through its investment arm, further solidifying Nscale's position in the AI data center supply chain. Nscale utilizes Nvidia's GPU technology to build its AI compute infrastructure, and the new funds will be used to procure more Nvidia chips and expand its global data center network.
Strategic Intent Behind the $2 Billion Raise
Nscale's Series C was co-led by Aker and 8090 Industries. Aker is Norway's largest industrial investment group, with previous focus on energy and maritime sectors. This investment in AI infrastructure shows traditional industrial giants are actively positioning in the digital economy.
"AI compute infrastructure is one of the highest growth potential sectors in the next decade," Aker said in a statement. "We are excited to participate in Nscale's growth journey and jointly advance AI technology development."
The funding will primarily be used for three purposes: expanding capacity at existing data centers, building new AI compute centers globally, and strengthening partnerships with chip suppliers like Nvidia.
Intensifying Competition in AI Data Center Space
Nscale's $14.6 billion valuation reflects strong market demand for AI compute infrastructure. Entering 2026, global AI data center construction has accelerated, with both tech giants and traditional enterprises racing to deploy AI compute resources.
Cloud computing giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon continue investing heavily in data centers. Meanwhile, emerging AI cloud service providers like CoreWeave and Lambda Labs are actively raising funds to capture market share. As a European representative in the AI infrastructure space, Nscale is positioning itself strongly in this global competition.
Industry analysts note that the AI compute shortage will be difficult to resolve in the short term, which will continue driving investment growth in related sectors. The timing and scale of Nscale's funding round position the company well to maintain its competitive edge.