DigitalBridge Bundle
Who Owns DigitalBridge Group, Inc.?
DigitalBridge Group, Inc., formerly Colony Capital, rebranded in June 2021 to focus exclusively on digital infrastructure. Founded in 1991 by Thomas Barrack, the firm is now led by CEO Marc Ganzi.
The company manages approximately $96 billion in assets as of December 31, 2024, with a market capitalization of about $2.12 billion as of August 19, 2025. Its investments span data centers, cell towers, and fiber networks.
Understanding the ownership of DigitalBridge is key to grasping its strategic direction and governance. This includes examining its evolution from its founding to the influence of institutional and public shareholders. A DigitalBridge PESTEL Analysis can offer further insights into its operational environment.
Who Founded DigitalBridge?
The foundational history of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. traces back to 1991 with the establishment of Colony Capital by Thomas Barrack. A distinct but ultimately intertwined lineage began in 2013 when Marc Ganzi and Ben Jenkins co-founded Digital Bridge Holdings, a firm dedicated to investing in mobile and internet connectivity companies.
| Founding of Colony Capital | 1991 |
| Founder of Colony Capital | Thomas Barrack |
| Founding of Digital Bridge Holdings | 2013 |
| Co-founders of Digital Bridge Holdings | Marc Ganzi and Ben Jenkins |
| Acquisition of Digital Bridge Holdings by Colony Capital | July 2019 |
| Acquisition Price | $325 million |
Colony Capital's Origins
Colony Capital was established in 1991 by Thomas Barrack. It initially operated as a diversified real estate investment firm with a broad spectrum of property investments.
Digital Bridge Holdings' Focus
Founded in 2013, Digital Bridge Holdings specialized in investing in and operating mobile and internet connectivity companies. This marked an early focus on digital infrastructure.
Strategic Acquisition
In July 2019, Colony Capital acquired Digital Bridge Holdings for $325 million. This acquisition was a pivotal moment, signaling Colony Capital's full pivot towards digital infrastructure.
Initial Capitalization
Digital Bridge Holdings was founded with approximately $2.5 billion in equity commitments. These commitments came from a group of institutional investors, providing its initial capital.
Leadership Transition
Following the acquisition, Marc Ganzi, the former CEO of Digital Bridge Holdings, joined Colony Capital as CEO-elect. This integration set the stage for the modern DigitalBridge Group.
Foundation for DigitalBridge Group
The merger combined Digital Bridge Holdings' digital infrastructure expertise with Colony Capital's capital formation capabilities. This strategic integration laid the groundwork for the current DigitalBridge Group, Inc.
The foundational history of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. is a narrative of strategic integration, beginning with Colony Capital's establishment in 1991 by Thomas Barrack, which initially focused on diversified real estate investments. A parallel and crucial development occurred in 2013 with the co-founding of Digital Bridge Holdings by Marc Ganzi and Ben Jenkins, specifically targeting investments in mobile and internet connectivity companies. This early focus on digital infrastructure proved prescient. The pivotal moment arrived in July 2019 when Colony Capital acquired Digital Bridge Holdings for $325 million, a transaction that not only brought Marc Ganzi into the leadership of Colony Capital as CEO-elect but also marked a definitive strategic shift towards digital infrastructure. While specific early ownership details for Colony Capital's founders are not publicly disclosed, Digital Bridge Holdings commenced operations with significant backing, reportedly securing around $2.5 billion in equity commitments from institutional investors. This acquisition and subsequent integration effectively merged Digital Bridge Holdings' specialized digital infrastructure assets and expertise with Colony Capital's established institutional capital formation capabilities, thereby creating the foundation for the modern DigitalBridge Group, Inc. and its focus on digital infrastructure ownership. This strategic move highlights the company's evolution and its commitment to the digital sector, a key aspect of its Growth Strategy of DigitalBridge.
Key Milestones in DigitalBridge's Formation
The evolution of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. is marked by key foundational events and strategic acquisitions that shaped its current identity and focus.
- Colony Capital, the precursor entity, was founded in 1991 by Thomas Barrack, initially operating as a diversified real estate investment firm.
- Digital Bridge Holdings, focused on digital infrastructure, was co-founded in 2013 by Marc Ganzi and Ben Jenkins.
- A significant strategic move occurred in July 2019 when Colony Capital acquired Digital Bridge Holdings for $325 million.
- This acquisition led to Marc Ganzi's integration into Colony Capital as CEO-elect, signaling a decisive pivot towards digital infrastructure.
- Digital Bridge Holdings began with substantial capital, reportedly around $2.5 billion in equity commitments from institutional investors.
- The merger integrated digital infrastructure expertise with institutional capital, forming the basis of the modern DigitalBridge Group.
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How Has DigitalBridge’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
The complete corporate rebranding from Colony Capital to DigitalBridge Group, Inc. on June 22, 2021, marked a significant shift, solidifying its focus on digital infrastructure investment. This transformation involved divesting non-digital assets, positioning the company as a global leader in this high-growth sector.
| Shareholder Type | Percentage of Ownership (as of April 2025) | Key Holders |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Investors | 93.27% | Vanguard Group Inc., Wafra Inc., BlackRock, Inc., Frontier Capital Management Co Llc, VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares, State Street Corp. |
| Insider Ownership | 0.33% | CEO Marc C. Ganzi (0.12%, 589,026 shares as of March 14, 2025) |
DigitalBridge Group, Inc. operates as a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker DBRG, indicating its status as a public company. The ownership structure is heavily dominated by institutional investors, who collectively held over 93% of the company's ordinary Class A shares as of April 2025. This substantial institutional stake underscores a strong market confidence in DigitalBridge's strategic direction within the digital infrastructure space. The company's transformation, including its rebranding and focus on digital assets, has been a key driver in attracting these significant investments, influencing its capital allocation and global expansion efforts. Understanding the Target Market of DigitalBridge is crucial to appreciating the rationale behind these ownership patterns.
DigitalBridge's Institutional Dominance
Institutional investors are the primary owners of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. This concentration of ownership reflects broad confidence in the company's digital infrastructure strategy.
- 93.27% of ordinary Class A shares held by institutions as of April 2025.
- Key institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group Inc. and BlackRock, Inc.
- Insider ownership is minimal, standing at 0.33%.
- CEO Marc C. Ganzi holds a direct stake of 0.12%.
- The ownership structure indicates a strong influence of large investment firms on company strategy.
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Who Sits on DigitalBridge’s Board?
The governance of DigitalBridge Group, Inc. is steered by its Board of Directors, a body tasked with strategic oversight and ensuring robust corporate practices. As of August 2025, key figures include CEO and Director Marc C. Ganzi, and Chair and Lead Independent Director Nancy A. Curtin. The board is further strengthened by independent directors such as Ian Schapiro, who joined in July 2024 and brings valuable experience from Oaktree Capital Management, alongside Gregory J. McCray, David M. Tolley, Dale Anne Reiss, James Keith Brown, Jeannie H. Diefenderfer, and Sháka Rasheed. George Parker also serves as an Independent Director.
| Director Name | Role | Affiliation/Key Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Marc C. Ganzi | CEO and Director | |
| Nancy A. Curtin | Chair and Lead Independent Director | |
| Ian Schapiro | Independent Director | Senior Advisor to Oaktree Capital Management |
| Gregory J. McCray | Independent Director | |
| David M. Tolley | Independent Director | |
| Dale Anne Reiss | Independent Director | |
| James Keith Brown | Independent Director | |
| Jeannie H. Diefenderfer | Independent Director | |
| Sháka Rasheed | Independent Director | |
| George Parker | Independent Director |
The company structure reflects a commitment to good governance, with a majority of independent directors overseeing management. Voting power for DigitalBridge's ordinary Class A shares operates on a standard one-share-one-vote principle, as indicated by the voting methods available to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2024. While specific details on dual-class shares or preferential voting rights are not publicly detailed, the influence of major institutional shareholders is substantial due to their significant equity positions. The Board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is instrumental in overseeing and implementing the company's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
Understanding DigitalBridge's Governance
DigitalBridge Group's board composition prioritizes independent oversight. The voting structure for its Class A shares follows a traditional model.
- Majority of independent directors ensures balanced decision-making.
- Standard one-share-one-vote system for Class A shares.
- Institutional investors hold significant voting power.
- ESG program oversight is a key board responsibility.
- Learn more about the Mission, Vision & Core Values of DigitalBridge.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped DigitalBridge’s Ownership Landscape?
Recent developments show a significant expansion in DigitalBridge Group, Inc.'s digital infrastructure assets, driven by strategic acquisitions and strong financial performance. Ownership trends indicate a substantial institutional investor base, reflecting confidence in the company's specialized strategy.
| Key Transaction | Date | Value | Impact |
| Acquisition of Yondr Group | July 1, 2025 | $5.8 billion | Enhanced data center capabilities with 420MW committed capacity |
| Zayo's acquisition of Crown Castle's Fiber Solutions | March 2025 | $4.25 billion | Expanded Zayo's fiber network by 90,000 route miles |
| Taking WideOpenWest (WOW!) private | August 2025 | $1.5 billion | Consolidation of presence in digital infrastructure |
DigitalBridge Group, Inc. has actively pursued growth over the past three to five years, notably through the acquisition of Yondr Group for $5.8 billion on July 1, 2025. This strategic move, in partnership with La Caisse, bolstered DigitalBridge's data center portfolio with Yondr's substantial capacity. Further strengthening its market position, DigitalBridge's portfolio company, Zayo, announced in March 2025 its intent to acquire Crown Castle's Fiber Solutions Business for $4.25 billion, significantly expanding its fiber network. Additionally, in August 2025, DigitalBridge and Crestview Partners agreed to a $1.5 billion transaction to take WideOpenWest (WOW!), Inc. private, underscoring a focused strategy on consolidating and expanding its digital infrastructure footprint. These developments align with the company's ongoing efforts in digital infrastructure ownership, as detailed in the Brief History of DigitalBridge.
Financial Performance Highlights
DigitalBridge reported strong financial results, including Q4 2024 earnings of $0.11 EPS on February 20, 2025. The company also achieved record fundraising of $9 billion in Q4 2024, exceeding its target by 28%.
Ownership Structure and Outlook
Institutional investors hold a significant portion of DigitalBridge, with ownership at 93.27% as of April 2025. Analysts maintain a positive outlook, with one firm raising its price target to $16.00 in August 2025.
Key Management and Partners
DigitalBridge's strategic initiatives are supported by key investment partners. The company's management team continues to drive its specialized digital infrastructure strategy.
Market Position and Growth Drivers
The company's focus on digital infrastructure ownership, including data centers and telecommunications, positions it to capitalize on increasing demand. This strategic focus is a key driver for DigitalBridge investors.
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