A new data center firm has launched, with claims of a multi-gigawatt capacity pipeline.

LightHouse Data Centers has emerged from stealth and, alongside Wharton Digital, this week announced the launch of a new platform to develop, own, and operate hyperscale data centers across North America.

The companies said the platform is positioned to deliver in excess of 2GW of capacity, with LightHouse having around 300MW in near-term capacity.

“We are excited to join forces with Wharton to build a premier data center platform at a time of unprecedented demand,” said Nick Etscheid, co-founder and CEO of LightHouse. “Wharton immediately understood the scale of what we are building, and this partnership allows us to accelerate delivery of next-generation infrastructure precisely when the market needs it.”

Lighthouse said it is targeting markets in the US Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest, as well as targeted infill locations near major metropolitan areas, with “multiple” data center campuses planned for delivery in late 2026 and early 2027.

Wharton Digital is an investment vehicle of Wharton Equity Partners, a New York City-based real estate and private equity investment firm founded in 1987. Founded in 2024, Wharton Digital invests across real estate, private equity, and venture capital around data centers and related technologies.

As part of the transaction, Wharton has made an investment in LightHouse and contributed its powered land business and related properties to the platform. Terms of the investment weren’t shared.

The companies said the partnership combines LightHouse’s deep hyperscale development, leasing, and operational expertise with Wharton’s institutional capital and real estate experience.

On its website, LightHouse says it will offer turnkey build-to-suit services. It currently lists three projects in development, all three in the “southeast US.”

CLT01 will offer 48MW in 2026 and 288MW and full build-out. CLT02 will offer 16MW in 2026 and 38MW total. CHS01 will also offer 16MW in 2026, and 128MW total.

Wharton Digital’s website also listed plans for a 240MW campus in the Midwest. The image used for this two-story facility is the same as CLT01 on Lighthouse’s website.

Wharton’s website also lists plans for a 60MW facility along the I-85 corridor between the core markets of Charlotte and Atlanta in partnership with LightHouse Data Centers and real estate firm Lightstone Group. Set on 151-acres, the first 60MW phase is due live in 2026. Bitcoin miner and power provider Greenidge Generation sold a 152-acre site in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with 60MW of allocated capacity to Lightstone Group in early December.

The leadership team of Lighthouse have both had stints in data center roles at Amazon. LightHouse CEO Nick Etscheid was previously at 5C Data Centers and Amazon Web Services before that. Co-founder and chief development officer Benjamin Basson was also at both 5C and AWS.

Peter C. Lewis, founder of Wharton Digital, has been appointed chairman of LightHouse Data Centers.