Oliver Curtis’ Firmus Secures $10 Billion from Blackstone to Build AI Factories
Australian Financial Review
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 9 Feb 2026
- Priority Score
- 2
- Australian
- Yes
- Created
- 9 Feb 2026, 01:15 am
Description
The AI data centre provider co-founded by Oliver Curtis has secured the huge debt facility to build its so-called AI factories across Australia.
Summary
The article reports on Firmus, co-founded by Oliver Curtis, securing a $10 billion debt facility from Blackstone to establish AI factories in Australia. This significant deal highlights the investment into AI infrastructure within the country, marking it as one of Australia's largest private debt financings. While it addresses the expansion of AI capabilities, the article does not directly focus on existential or catastrophic AI risks but signifies a notable industrial development in the AI sector with potential implications for national AI policy and economic growth. The involvement of Blackstone and Coatue underscores the global interest in Australia's tech industry.
Body
TechnologyData centresPrint articlePaul SmithTechnology editorFeb 9, 2026 – 11.27amFirmus, the artificial intelligence data centre provider co-founded by Oliver Curtis, has secured a huge $US10 billion ($14.2 billion) debt facility led by private equity giant Blackstone to fund its ambitious plans to build so-called AI factories across Australia.The deal is one of Australia’s largest private debt financings, and was first flagged by The Australian Financial Review. It was also supported by leading global investment firm Coatue.Loading...Paul Smith edits the technology coverage and has been a leading writer on the sector for 20 years. He covers big tech, business use of tech, the fast-growing Australian tech industry and start-ups, telecommunications and national innovation policy. Connect with Paul on Twitter. Email Paul at psmith@afr.comSaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy linkCopiedEmailLinkedInTwitterFacebookCopy linkCopiedShare via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? LoginLicense articleFollow the topics, people and companies that matter to you.Find out moreRead MoreData centresFundingAINvidiaFetching latest articles