Meta in talks to raise $29B to fund AI infrastructure

Meta Platforms is reportedly in discussions with private equity firms and infrastructure funds to raise up to $29 billion to support the construction of AI-focused data centres, according to a Financial Times report published on 27 June 2025.

Investment model seeks to offset infrastructure costs

The report stated that Meta aims to use an increasingly popular financial structure wherein investors fund the building of data centres and lease them back to the tech company. This move is seen as a way for Meta to reduce its upfront capital expenditure while maintaining access to essential AI infrastructure.

The company has allegedly approached several large investors and infrastructure funds, including private equity major KKR. However, the discussions remain at an early stage, with no confirmed deal or binding agreement yet in place, as per the reports.

Focus on AI infrastructure amid soaring demand

This potential investment drive comes as Meta significantly increases its spending on artificial intelligence development. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made AI a central focus of Meta’s future, especially with the company's recent launches in generative AI products such as Meta AI, integrated across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

To support these developments, Meta has been scaling its data centre infrastructure and acquiring specialised hardware, including Nvidia's high-performance GPUs. The capital-intensive nature of such efforts has prompted tech companies to seek alternative financing models, including third-party funding of physical infrastructure.

Precedents in the industry

The model Meta is exploring mirrors a broader trend among major technology firms. Earlier this year, Amazon Web Services entered into a similar arrangement with private equity partners to finance some of its data centre expansion. Microsoft and Google are also reportedly examining such strategies to manage the rising costs of AI-related infrastructure buildout.

Total global data centre investments surpassed $200 billion in 2024, with generative AI cited as a primary driver. Leasing models allow companies to preserve liquidity while still expanding capabilities, which has become particularly crucial amid macroeconomic pressures.

Meta’s AI ambitions and financial outlook

Meta’s capital expenditures are projected to reach between $35 billion and $40 billion in 2025, according to its Q1 earnings call. Much of this is earmarked for AI infrastructure, including custom chips and expanded data centre operations. The move to involve external funding sources may ease investor concerns about margins while enabling Meta to accelerate its AI roadmap.