Accelerate Secures $780m for Expansion in Critical Real Estate Assets
Accelerate Infrastructure Opportunities, an investment powerhouse in real estate for digital, renewable, and transportation infrastructure, recently completed a landmark $780 million funding initiative.
This capital infusion is composed of a $630 million equity investment from CBRE Investment Management and a $150 million asset-backed securitization. These funds will support Accelerate’s mission to acquire and manage essential real estate assets, building a portfolio designed to deliver long-term, sustainable cash flow.
A Major Boost from CBRE Investment Management
Accelerate’s primary investor, CBRE Investment Management, significantly expanded its backing with an increased commitment totalling $630 million. This marks a pivotal moment for Accelerate, which has quickly made its mark in the infrastructure space. CBRE IM’s investment will enable Accelerate to acquire more properties and diversify its portfolio in the infrastructure sector, which spans digital networks, renewable energy, and transportation corridors. With the commitment of a global asset management leader like CBRE IM, Accelerate is poised to scale its operations significantly.
“We’re grateful to CBRE IM and its partners for their investments that allow us to continue to execute and scale our leading infrastructure real estate strategy,” said Brennan Potts, founder and CEO of Accelerate. “All our investors recognise the significant need for investment in infrastructure real estate to support the buildout of a connected and sustainable economy. Accelerate is here to help meet that need.”
Since forming its partnership with CBRE IM in December 2022, Accelerate has secured more than 200 sites across 38 states, spanning key infrastructure assets. By leveraging CBRE’s market insights and investment resources, Accelerate has quickly captured a substantial market share in multiple infrastructure sectors.
Rob Shaw, Managing Director at CBRE IM, stated: “Combining Accelerate’s high-performing, value-based team with the expertise and breadth of the CBRE platform has allowed Accelerate to quickly win market share across multiple infrastructure sectors and cement its leadership position. Accelerate’s proven track record, creative structuring, and long-term partnership focus position it as the partner of choice for landowners, brokers, and infrastructure companies.”
Breakthrough Asset-Backed Securitization
The other half of Accelerate’s capital raise comes from an inaugural asset-backed securitization (ABS) worth $150 million. This financing method, a first for Accelerate, was oversubscribed—a sign of strong investor confidence. Asset-backed securities enable companies like Accelerate to unlock the value of their real estate holdings, creating new capital streams and reducing reliance on traditional financing methods. DBRS Morningstar awarded an investment-grade A (low) rating to the ABS, a testament to the stability of Accelerate’s diversified asset portfolio.
“We are proud of the quality of our inaugural ABS issuance, which signals a strong endorsement of our strategy and the value and stability of our high-quality, diversified portfolio,” said Brandon O’Gara, president and CFO of Accelerate. “We believe that establishing Accelerate in the ABS market opens the door to future financing opportunities and allows us to provide a competitive cost of capital to our customers.”
Accelerate engaged TD Bank as the sole structuring agent and joint book runner, with Cantor Fitzgerald serving as a joint book runner. Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP provided legal counsel, while King & Spalding LLP represented the underwriter, ensuring a streamlined and legally sound transaction.
Building Infrastructure for a Connected Future
Founded with a clear mission to support the infrastructure underpinning a connected economy, Accelerate acquires and manages land essential to digital networks, renewable energy facilities, and transportation systems. The company’s approach is twofold: acquiring strategically important sites and generating stable cash flows for long-term resilience. By aggregating these assets, Accelerate effectively creates a managed portfolio that meets today’s demand for infrastructure and generates consistent revenue.
The importance of infrastructure real estate cannot be overstated. As the digital economy grows, so does the need for data centres, renewable energy facilities, and connected transport networks. Accelerate aims to be at the forefront of this shift, creating pathways for future-proof infrastructure that serves both urban and rural needs.
CBRE Investment Management
CBRE IM’s partnership with Accelerate exemplifies its commitment to sustainable infrastructure and real asset investment. With $148.3 billion in assets under management (AUM) as of September 2024, CBRE IM is a force in global real estate and infrastructure investing. Its portfolio encompasses a range of investment types, from commercial properties to critical infrastructure assets, and operates in over 20 countries. As a subsidiary of CBRE Group, Inc., CBRE IM leverages a vast network and in-depth market intelligence to deliver returns across diverse real asset categories.
“Our approach focuses on sustainable investment solutions across various real asset categories, geographies, risk profiles, and execution formats,” states CBRE IM’s website. “We strive to ensure our clients, people, and communities thrive.”
Accelerate’s Growth Strategy in Infrastructure Real Estate
Armed with this new capital, Accelerate plans to ramp up its acquisition strategy, focusing on properties integral to digital, renewable, and transportation networks. With a pipeline of opportunities, the company is well-positioned to capture valuable assets that offer long-term benefits.
The $780 million capital raise is a signal of investor confidence and the growing demand for real estate assets underlying infrastructure. Accelerate’s unique value proposition—combining land acquisition expertise with CBRE’s resources and insights—gives it a competitive edge in a crowded market.
Why Asset-Backed Securitisation Matters for the Industry
The success of Accelerate’s inaugural asset-backed securitisation is likely to have a ripple effect across the industry. ABS allows companies to tap into lower-cost capital, providing a financing model that aligns well with long-term infrastructure investments. For Accelerate, the ABS opens the door to a wider pool of investors while reducing its reliance on equity and debt markets. As the infrastructure investment landscape becomes more competitive, securitisation may become a vital tool for asset managers and real estate firms alike.
By securing investment-grade ratings for its ABS, Accelerate not only strengthens its capital structure but also lays the groundwork for future financing rounds. The successful ABS issuance is expected to set a precedent for similar firms looking to finance their growth in a sustainable, cost-effective manner.
Positive Outlook for Infrastructure Real Estate
Accelerate’s recent capital raise highlights a promising future for infrastructure real estate. As demand for digital and renewable infrastructure continues to grow, companies like Accelerate are positioned to bridge the gap between investment needs and infrastructure supply.
With backing from a global asset management leader and the support of innovative financing methods, Accelerate is charting a path toward a more connected, resilient economy.
