How Applied Digital’s $5 Billion Power Play Is Shaking Up the Data Center Race for 2025
Applied Digital accelerates hyperscale domination with record-breaking investments and 400MW data center expansion set for 2025.
- $5 billion in new funding secured by Applied Digital in Q3 2025
- 400+ megawatts of IT capacity expected at Ellendale campus
- 67.1% YTD surge in APLD shares (2025), beating industry trends
- 3 new buildings set to power next-gen AI workloads by end of 2025
Applied Digital (APLD) is turning heads with an unprecedented string of wins in 2025, setting the stage for a new era in high-performance computing infrastructure. The company’s bold expansion plan, anchored by the ambitious Ellendale campus, is supercharged by blockbuster investments and a laser focus on hyperscale workloads shaped for the AI age.
Thanks to a transformative $5 billion commitment from global heavyweight Macquarie Asset Management and $375 million in new financing from SMBC, APLD’s infrastructure dreams now have sky-high momentum. The Ellendale campus, the epicenter of this surge, is on pace to become one of the nation’s most powerful data center complexes—built from the ground up for the world’s biggest cloud providers and AI innovators.
APLD’s first Ellendale building will deliver a mighty 100-megawatt IT load, scheduled to go live by the end of 2025. Construction on a second and third phase—each set for 150 megawatts—is rapidly advancing, with supply chain and energy needs already locked in. The total campus capacity is poised to shatter records, easily crossing the 400-megawatt mark in its initial deployment.
The company isn’t just building infrastructure; it’s building trust. Management reports active discussions with all major hyperscale and cloud tenants, signifying the surging demand for robust and scalable digital backbones in the AI revolution.
Other industry titans are taking bold steps of their own. CoreWeave recently bagged over $1 billion to expand its GPU-optimized cloud data centers, racing to power the world’s hunger for AI workloads. Meanwhile, Equinix secured a place in hyperscale history, joining forces with heavyweight investors to pump $15 billion into its U.S. xScale data centers—adding a staggering 1.5 gigawatts to keep pace with cloud and AI needs.
With competitors ramping up, APLD’s year-to-date stock rally of 67.1% stands in sharp contrast to a broader industry slump, underscoring investor confidence in its focused strategy.
Q&A: What Makes APLD’s Expansion So Game-Changing?
Q: How does the Ellendale campus differ from traditional data centers?
A: Unlike legacy facilities, Ellendale is engineered for hyperscale—the backbone needs of next-gen cloud and AI clients. Robust power, optimized cooling, and seamless scalability define its architecture.
Q: Why did Macquarie and SMBC commit such vast sums?
A: Top institutional confidence signals APLD’s vision and track record make it a prime contender as global demand for AI and cloud infrastructure soars.
Q: Who are the main rivals in this race?
A: CoreWeave and Equinix. Both are pouring billions into novel data centers that serve today’s most advanced computing needs.
How to Capitalize on the 2025 Data Center Boom
– Stay alert for hyperscale expansion news: Monitor financial updates and project milestones from leaders like CoreWeave and Equinix.
– Watch for APLD’s next moves: The company is exploring alternative strategies for its Cloud Services arm, including a possible REIT transition—potentially unlocking new growth channels.
– Track market performance: With APLD’s shares outpacing the sector, smart investors are keeping a sharp eye on quarterly results and strategic announcements.
What’s Next for APLD?
With active construction, rock-solid funding, and major tenants in the pipeline, APLD is positioned to redefine what it means to power the AI economy. The company’s pivot toward hyperscale infrastructure and institutional partnerships signals a seismic shift in industry dynamics.
Ready to catch the next wave in digital infrastructure?
Check out these action items to stay ahead:
- Follow APLD’s progress on campus construction and major funding rounds
- Monitor updates from CoreWeave and Equinix for competitive insights
- Track tenant signings and deployment schedules for Ellendale and similar developments
- Stay updated on evolution toward a REIT structure for potential investment opportunities
The race to power tomorrow’s AI is on—don’t blink or you’ll miss the next big shift.
