Nebius (NASDAQ:NBIS) shares gained 2.75% on Wednesday after the AI cloud infrastructure company introduced a new partnership model designed to expand its cloud platform through third-party data centre operators while limiting its own capital investment.
New model shifts infrastructure costs to partners
Under the programme, infrastructure partners will finance, own and operate the data centres and hardware used to support Nebius’ AI cloud platform.
Nebius will contribute its systems architecture, software platform and supply chain expertise before marketing the computing capacity through its own sales network.
Partners will retain ownership of the AI infrastructure assets, while Nebius will connect that capacity to its existing customer base.
Asset-light strategy supports growth
The company said the new approach requires minimal additional capital because partners are responsible for funding the physical infrastructure.
Nebius expects the model to generate revenue through a combination of licensing fees, revenue-sharing agreements, commissions and committed capacity arrangements.
The company also confirmed that it has already signed its first agreements under the new framework.
CEO highlights broader market opportunity
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Arkady Volozh said:
“Our software allows partners to reach a much wider customer base with much better margins than conventional wholesale bare-metal contracts. We’re inviting data center investors, regional partners and others with capacity or capital to contribute to join us in serving this demand.”
Consistent cloud services across partner network
Partner-operated facilities will be integrated into Nebius’ existing cloud capacity alongside its wholly owned and colocated data centres.
The company said customers will receive the same service quality regardless of whether workloads run on Nebius-owned infrastructure or partner facilities.
While Nebius will continue managing its cloud software platform and service standards, partners will be responsible for operating the data centres and maintaining the hardware.