Cool Vector

The Fiber Optic Future With John Siegel of Columbia Capital

John Siegel, a Partner at private equity firm Columbia Capital, offers a deep dive into the physical assets necessary to power an AI-driven internet, including the fiber optic cables that connect the growing population of data centers around the world, and the nations jockeying for position to build digital infrastructure hubs.
In a wide-ranging conversation, John shares his views on the demand drivers of information sharing, including not only AI but the massive proliferation of devices that connect to the internet. He details the data center build-out across Asia and explains why governments are so eager to develop hubs like his home base in Northern Virginia.
A long-time telecom investor and "qualified bull," John also shares his analysis of a wave of bankruptcies in the early 2000s (which lost billions for private equity investors) and what lessons these might have for the current digital infrastructure build-out.
 
About Cool Vector
Cool Vector is a video-podcast created to chart the rise of data centers and the digital infrastructure asset class. On a regular basis, the podcast will convene expert conversations about the investment opportunities and macro themes driving the build-out of digital infrastructure, including private capital dynamics, performance expectations, energy demand, geopolitical influences, sustainability opportunities, development and construction, technology and community impact.
Cool Vector is hosted by financial journalist David Snow, a long-time chronicler of the alternative investment market. This interview should not be considered investment advice or a solicitation to invest, and the views and opinions expressed herein are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.
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Watch this interview on the Cool Vector YouTube channel: YouTube

How Energy Became 'Existential' to Data Centers

Digital infrastructure has a voracious appetite for energy, but the electric utility industry is filled with apprehension and lacks 'muscle memory' to 'build big things,' according to Brian Janous, co-founder of sustainable energy specialist Cloverleaf Infrastructure, as well as the former head of data center energy for Microsoft.
In a wide-ranging interview with Cool Vector, Janous describes how his mandate at Microsoft went from relative obscurity to a top-order concern among the company's leadership. He discusses how data center sites are identified, evaluated and the importance of finding a willing counter-party in the local utility.
Janous also discusses the importance of community engagement, the risks of project delays and regulatory lags, the dominace of solar as a form of renewable energy for data centers, and the criticality of long-term power purchase agreements.
 
About Cool Vector
Cool Vector is a video-podcast created to chart the rise of data centers and the digital infrastructure asset class. On a regular basis, the podcast convenes expert conversations about the investment opportunities and macro themes driving the build-out of digital infrastructure, including private capital dynamics, performance expectations, energy demand, geopolitical influences, sustainability opportunities, development and construction, technology and community impact.
Cool Vector is hosted by financial journalist David Snow, a long-time chronicler of the alternative investment market.
 
Watch Full Episodes of Cool Vector on YouTube and Spotify.

Cool Vector: A New Video-Podcast About Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure

Financial journalist David Snow introduces Cool Vector, a new video-podcast that will chart the rise of data centers and the digital infrastructure asset class.
On a regular basis, Cool Vector will convene expert conversations about the role that institutional investment capital will play in the build-out of digital infrastructure around the world, and focus on the overlapping long-term trends of digitalization, the rise of private capital, changing energy demand, changing land and real estate use, innovation in sustainability, national security, and many other topics.
Full video episodes of Cool Vector will live on the Cool Vector YouTube channel as well as the major podcasting platforms like Spotify. Clips of each episode will be promoted on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
The Cool Vector video-podcast homepage is here: https://coolvectormedia.com/