
SoftBank-Backed SB Energy's Listing Hits Speed Bump as AI Investors Turn Cautious
SB Energy, the SoftBank Group (TYO:9984)-backed U.S. data-center developer, has delayed plans for a public listing originally targeted for this month as investors assess the company's proposed $50 billion valuation.The company still plans to pursue the listing, according to the Financial Times.SB Energy is also assessing the financing requirements for its pipeline of data-center projects.The company is in discussions with investors over a potential $4.9 billion debt offering linked to the planned listing. Early talks indicate investors are seeking yields of about 10%, according to the reports.SB Energy is focusing first on the listing and plans to explore additional debt financing afterward. Citi is leading the proposed debt offering, the FT reported.The company has yet to bring a data center online. Its filings show that fulfilling its existing contractual commitments could require $174 billion of future investment.Nvidia has increased its investment in SB Energy, agreeing to purchase an additional $1.5 billion of shares at the listing price alongside a previously funded $1.5 billion prepaid forward contract at a 10% discount to the IPO price. The investment brings Nvidia's total commitment to $3 billion, according to SB Energy's filings.The delay comes as other major AI companies have also pushed back plans to go public. OpenAI has said it does not plan to go public in 2026, while Anthropic remains on target for a planned listing in November.Holtec International, which plans to supply power to AI data centers, has also postponed its IPO by at least three months, according to the Financial Times.The developments come as investors reassess the pace of spending and demand across the AI sector.Investors are also assessing the outlook for data-center demand amid concerns about the pace of AI development, while developers face challenges including lengthy grid-connection processes, power availability, local regulations, water constraints, and insurance costs.SB Energy's planned listing comes as the company seeks to access public markets while pursuing a large pipeline of data-center projects that require significant future investment.


















