DCD>Investment Forum
Investment Forum is an exclusive event that will analyse current and future investment, as well as, financing trends that enable the digital infrastructure sector. It will take place as part of the DCD>Connect Madrid 2024 event.
You will meet the most influential decision makers in the industry, share key learnings and measure the capital of the market. Bringing together CFOs and finance teams from data center operators looking to raise capital, alongside investors from major financial institutions, REITs, Institutional Investors, Infrastructure funds, private equity, sovereign wealth funds, brokers & advisory teams, that will explore the current and upcoming investment and financing trends underpinning the digital infrastructure sector.
We are at a time when sustainability has become the compass that marks the north of investments, so green financing will be one of the fundamental axes that will mark the discussions of this Investment Forum, in addition to knowing the evolution of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that are taking place and how they are changing the configuration of the current and future map of the data centre market.
AGENDA:
Investment Forum Host: Luis Socías, Managing Director, Invest in Madrid
9h15 - 09h30 Kick-Off and Welcome – Region of Madrid
- Daniel Rodríguez, Deputy Minister of economy and employment, Region of Madrid
9h30 - 09h45: Kick-Off and Welcome - Invest In Madrid - Madrid region, a value-driven investment
- Luis Socías, Managing Director, Invest in Madrid
9h45 - 10h15: Keynote - The market horizon: Macroeconomic trends, recent moves on the map, and future investments
In a context of increasing volatility, rising interest rates, supply chain delays, among other aspects, investment in digital infrastructures shows no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, it continues to attract the interest of a growing number of investors who are betting on this type of assets.
Given that we will continue to navigate in this scenario marked by uncertainty, this keynote will analyse the movements that are taking place on the industry landscape and how current market conditions could affect future investments.
- Miles Loo, Vice Chairman, Newmark
10h15 - 11h00: Panel - 'Green' financing of data centers: the lever to win in sustainability
The future of the data center industry is looking green. Sustainability has become a key element of a data center's life, from its conception to end of its life. In this panel, we explore the sustainable future of technology through green financing and how conscious investment can be the crucial lever to achieve sustainability in the data center world, where energy efficiency and eco-friendly practices become key drivers.
In addition to this, we will explore what innovative financial strategies not only generate profitability but also contribute to the well-being of the planet, while experts will thoroughly analyze the growing emphasis on ESG criteria in digital infrastructure financing.
- Moderator: Jaime Martínez, Managing Director for Economic and Industrial Promotion, Region of Madrid
- Luca Marini, CEO, Lio DC
- Jan-Michael Dierkes, Managing Director Luxembourg and Head of ESG, DTCP
- Paco González, Partner & CEO, Core Capital
- Sicco Boomsma, Managing Director TMT - EMEA Technology, ING
- Colm Shorten, Senior Director Data Center, JLL
11h00 - 11h30: Coffee - break
11h30 - 12h00: Keynote - How companies assess investment risks and opportunities: recent investments in digital infrastructure assets
Access to significant power, proximity to major population centres, appropriate zoning, and the availability of strong fibre connectivity are all salient considerations when trying to service data centre demand.
The explosion in demand for data centres has attracted the attention of investors of all types—growth capital, real estate, and, increasingly, infrastructure investors.
But new technologies, the proliferation of AI, more stringent regulation, sustainability requirements, and grid infrastructure reform makes for an ever-changing landscape to deliver in.
This session will explore how investors are navigating the risks and opportunities in today’s market, set against a backdrop of economic uncertainty.
- Lizzie Quacquarelli, Surveyor - Data Centres Investment and Development, Knight Frank
12h00 - 12h45: Panel - Investing in the digital revolution: challenges and strategies in uncharted territory
AI has become the undisputed protagonist of recent months and will continue to be so, accompanied by other technologies such as the metaverse, digital currencies, among others. All of them have a major impact on data centers, driving new needs and requirements to upgrade their infrastructures.
This panel will explore the impact of the evolving technology landscape on future investment approaches and strategies. Are these technological developments driving increased investment by investors? What challenges and risks do they face when betting on an industry in constant technological change?
- Moderator: Ignacio Azorín, Digital Strategy Director, Madrid Region Digital Office
- Fran González Menéndez, Partner, Analysys Mason
- Rémi Vallier, Senior Vice President, Macquarie Group
- Lottie Tollman, Partner - Data Centers EMEA, Cushman & Wakefield
12h45 - 13h00: Wrap-Up - Invest In Madrid
- Ignacio Azorín, Digital Strategy Director, Madrid Region Digital Office