Summary:
- Bangladeshi-born entrepreneur Robin Khuda rewarded employees with a $22 million bonus after his company, AirTrunk, was acquired for $24 billion.
- Each of AirTrunk’s 330 employees received $65,000, with senior staff also getting profit shares as recognition for their contributions.
- AirTrunk, a leading hyperscale data center platform in the Asia-Pacific, serves tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
- Khuda, who overcame early financial struggles, remains CEO and aims to grow AirTrunk into a $100 billion enterprise.
Robin Khuda, a Bangladeshi-born entrepreneur residing in Australia, has made headlines for his extraordinary gesture of generosity toward employees following the acquisition of his company, AirTrunk, in a landmark $24 billion deal. The acquisition, led by U.S.-based private equity giant Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, marks one of the largest buyouts in Australia’s history and underscores the growing importance of data centers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Khuda, the founder and CEO of AirTrunk, announced a total bonus payout of $22 million to his 330 employees, with each receiving approximately $65,000. Senior employees were also granted shares in the company’s profits. This announcement was made on December 9, 2024, as a token of gratitude for their contributions to AirTrunk’s success. “This achievement would not have been possible without our dedicated team,” Khuda stated, emphasizing his commitment to rewarding their hard work.
AirTrunk, founded in 2015 in Sydney, has grown into the largest hyperscale data center platform in the Asia-Pacific region. Its 11 data centers span key markets such as Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Malaysia, and Singapore. The company provides critical digital infrastructure for global tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. AirTrunk’s innovative approach to scalable and sustainable data center solutions has positioned it as a leader in meeting the surging demands of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Khuda’s journey to this milestone is as inspiring as it is remarkable. Arriving in Australia at the age of 18 from Bangladesh, he pursued higher education in accounting and finance before venturing into entrepreneurship. Despite facing significant financial challenges during AirTrunk’s early days—including exhausting his savings and nearly declaring bankruptcy—Khuda persevered. His determination paid off when AirTrunk launched its first hyperscale data center in 2017.
The recent acquisition by Blackstone represents its largest investment in the Asia-Pacific region to date. The deal highlights the increasing demand for digital infrastructure amid the rapid growth of AI and cloud computing technologies. Blackstone COO Jon Gray described AirTrunk as “a vital step” in their strategy to lead global digital infrastructure investments.
Khuda will remain CEO of AirTrunk post-acquisition and has expressed his ambition to transform the company into a $100 billion enterprise. Reflecting on the journey so far, he remarked on his commitment to innovation and sustainability while fostering talent within the tech industry.
This is not Khuda’s first act of generosity toward his employees. Earlier this year, he organized an all-expenses-paid conference trip to Bali for his staff. Beyond business achievements, Khuda is also known for his philanthropic efforts through the Khuda Family Foundation, which supports STEM education and mental health initiatives.
The acquisition cements AirTrunk’s legacy as a transformative force in the tech industry while shining a spotlight on Khuda’s inspiring story of resilience and success.
Source: Kalbela
