Massive new investment positions Firmus and Nvidia to reshape Australia’s tech future with next-gen AI data centers

Australia’s AI data centers sector just received a major boost. Firmus Technologies, a fast-rising AI infrastructure startup, has closed a fresh $327 million funding round—backed once again by Nvidia and Sydney-based Ellerston Capital—bringing its valuation to $3.9 billion.

The investment momentum has been fast and fierce. Just three months ago, Firmus secured $215 million, with both rounds fueling its bold national infrastructure push, Project Southgate. The initiative aims to deliver 1.8 gigawatts of AI data center capacity across Australia by 2028, positioning the country as a serious contender in the global Australia tech landscape.

A Flagship Campus Built for Sustainability

The cornerstone of this project is Firmus’ flagship data center in Launceston, Tasmania, a massive $1.37 billion campus designed with innovation and sustainability at its core.

One standout feature: the facility will use zero water on days under 78.8°F, a threshold Launceston surpasses only about ten days a year. Add to that a rainwater collection and recycling system, and the result is a site expected to consume less than 1% of the water used by traditional cloud data centers—an impressive achievement in an era of growing environmental priorities.

Powering the Grid, Not Just the Cloud

Beyond its green footprint, Firmus is also helping strengthen the local electrical grid. The campus is equipped with advanced backup batteries from Eaton, enabling it to deliver frequency control ancillary services—essentially feeding power back into the grid during demand spikes.

This real-time stabilization is managed through Synert, Firmus’ in-house system, closely integrated with AI FactoryOS, the company’s customized data center management software. It’s an example of how firms like Firmus are reshaping what modern AI data centers can accomplish.

Fueled by Nvidia’s Most Powerful Chips

Inside the Tasmania site, performance is the priority. The center will house 36,000 Nvidia GB300 accelerators, each built with dual Blackwell Ultra GPUs, a 72-core CPU, and linked through the ultra-efficient NVLink-C2C interconnect, which is 25 times more power-efficient than PCIe.

This hardware muscle positions Firmus to support both Australian companies and a growing global customer base. Its recent entry into Nvidia’s DGX Cloud Lepton program further connects the company to international developers looking to rent high-performance compute through distributed operator networks.

A National Network on the Way

Tasmania is just the beginning. Firmus is planning additional facilities in Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Perth, creating a nationwide backbone for the next generation of AI adoption. With investment pouring in and demand for compute skyrocketing, Australia is quickly becoming a key player in global Australia tech growth.

Final Thoughts

Firmus’ rapid rise shows how powerful collaborations—especially with giants like Nvidia—can reshape a nation’s digital future. If you want more updates on breakthroughs in AI data centers and Australia’s evolving role in the tech world, make sure to follow, share, and drop your thoughts in the comments. Your engagement helps bring more stories like this to light.