The Tech Capital sat down with Douglas Loewe, the CEO of Kao Data, for an exclusive interview at Kickstart 2024 in Amsterdam. This conversation delves into the future expansion plans and investment landscape of Kao Data across the UK and Europe, shedding light on the increasing demand for AI and intensive computing, as well as the potential opportunities and challenges in the data centre industry.

Loewe was asked about his initial experience as the CEO of Kao Data, being roughly 2 months into the role. He shared his insights on the progress and challenges he has encountered, providing a glimpse into his early tenure and the strategic direction he envisions for Kao Data.

The discussion then shifted to Kao Data’s vision for future expansion across the UK and Europe, particularly in meeting the escalating demand for AI and intensive computing. Loewe elaborated on the company’s ambitious plans and strategies to cater to this growing need, outlining their vision for expansion and technological advancement.

Given Loewe’s background at Macquarie Group, The Tech Capital inquired about the current investor sentiment in Europe regarding data centre investments. The conversation then delved into the chief executive’s perception of the investment landscape in Europe, accompanied by an analysis of potential opportunities and challenges foreseen for the data centre industry.

The interview further explored Kao Data’s expansion into “next tier markets” such as Manchester, unraveling the opportunities these markets present for the group’s scaling into mainland Europe.

Lastly, the conversation touched upon the growth opportunities anticipated for data centers surrounding the Mediterranean mesh, particularly in relation to subsea cable termination points.