flexential

overview

Flexential is a leading provider of secure, flexible data center colocation, cloud, connectivity, and data protection services. The company operates one of the largest nationwide portfolios of data centers with a focus on edge computing, hybrid IT infrastructure, and high-density AI workloads.

business model

Multi-tenant colocation and hybrid IT infrastructure provider serving enterprise, hyperscale, and AI/ML customers with a national footprint of owned and operated facilities

data center profile

global footprint

us portfolio (from database)

projects by state

specialization

primary focus: colocation, edge, enterprise, ai-ml

key differentiators:

• National footprint with edge computing capabilities

• High-density power delivery (80+ kW per cabinet)

• Direct liquid cooling infrastructure for AI workloads

• Owned vs. leased facilities strategy for operational control

• FlexAnywhere integrated platform (colocation, cloud, connectivity, data protection)

financial highlights

strategy

corporate strategy

Flexential positions itself as a bridge between traditional enterprise colocation and hyperscale infrastructure, focusing on high-growth secondary markets where it can offer competitive total cost of ownership compared to primary markets. The company emphasizes operational control through facility ownership, enabling long-term infrastructure investments and customization for high-density AI/ML workloads.

growth strategy

Aggressive expansion strategy focused on: (1) Transitioning from leased to owned facilities for greater operational control, (2) Developing high-density, liquid-cooled infrastructure to capture AI/ML workload demand, (3) Strategic partnerships with AI cloud providers like CoreWeave, (4) Expansion in high-growth markets like Atlanta, Denver, Portland, and Nashville, (5) Increasing capacity through both new construction and facility expansions to reach 325+ MW portfolio-wide.

power strategy

Focus on reliable grid power with utility partnerships in low-cost power markets; developing high-density power delivery capabilities (80+ kW per rack) to support AI/ML workloads

renewable commitment: Renewable energy options available through utility partners like Portland General Electric; emphasis on energy efficiency with ENERGY STAR certifications

major commitments

partnerships

power providers

technology partners

NVIDIA (GPU/AI hardware) : Infrastructure designed to support NVIDIA GPU clusters for CoreWeave deployments

Various cooling system vendors (Direct liquid cooling) : Next-generation liquid cooling technologies supporting 80+ kW per rack densities

financial partnerships

leadership

Ryan Mallory

Chief Executive Officer

Promoted from President & COO to CEO in October 2024

Succeeded Chris Downie as CEO; responsible for executing expansion strategy and capital deployment

Chris Downie

Former Chief Executive Officer

Led Flexential for 9 years through transformational growth period

Oversaw ViaWest acquisition ($1.675B), Flexential rebrand, and expansion from 16 to 40+ data centers

Veena Bricker

Chief People Officer

Key leadership role in talent acquisition and retention during rapid expansion

competitive position

Flexential occupies a strategic position between enterprise colocation providers and hyperscale operators, focusing on high-growth secondary markets with competitive total cost of ownership. The company is a leading multi-tenant colocation provider with emphasis on edge computing, hybrid IT, and increasingly high-density AI/ML infrastructure.

strengths

• Second-highest project count (21 projects) in 604-project database

• National footprint of 42 data centers across 19 markets

• Strategic focus on high-growth secondary markets with lower TCO

• High-density power capabilities (80+ kW per rack) for AI workloads

• Direct liquid cooling infrastructure deployment

opportunities

• Explosive demand for AI/ML infrastructure and high-density deployments

• Edge computing growth as latency-sensitive applications proliferate

• Expansion in high-growth secondary markets (Nashville, Atlanta, Salt Lake City)

• Strategic acquisitions to consolidate regional markets

• Partnerships with AI cloud providers seeking alternative to hyperscale facilities

threats

• Hyperscale operators building their own facilities

• Intense competition in colocation market

• Rising power and cooling costs

• Utility capacity constraints in growth markets

• Economic downturn reducing enterprise IT spending

projects

sources

• Flexential - Data Center Solutions and Facilities

• Flexential (2025)

• About Us | Flexential

• Flexential (2025)

• Leadership | Flexential

• Flexential (2025)

• Peak 10 + ViaWest becomes Flexential

• Data Center Dynamics (2018-01)

• Peak 10 Changes Name to Flexential Following ViaWest Acquisition

• Data Center Knowledge (2018)

• Flexential to Accelerate Expansion and Growth with Strategic Investment from Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners

• PR Newswire (2024-10)

• GI Partners Closes Continuation Vehicle and Strategic Investment from GI Data Infrastructure in Flexential

• GI Partners (2025-08)

• Flexential secures investment from GI Partners and Hamilton Lane-managed funds

• Data Center Dynamics (2025-08)

• Flexential Announces FlexAnywhere Platform Expansion with New State of the Art Data Center in Denver

• PR Newswire (2024-05-14)

• Flexential to build fifth data center in Denver, Colorado

• Data Center Dynamics (2024-05-14)