Lindsey Li & Brielee Lu & Josh Hechtman & David Cowan — Bessemer Venture Partners - Roadmap: The AI data center stack - May 2026 logo

Lindsey Li & Brielee Lu & Josh Hechtman & David Cowan — Bessemer Venture Partners - Roadmap: The AI data center stack - May 2026

Free

The AI data center stack: Six areas of infrastructure opportunity

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Company
Bessemer Venture Partners

About Lindsey Li & Brielee Lu & Josh Hechtman & David Cowan — Bessemer Venture Partners - Roadmap: The AI data center stack - May 2026

Bessemer Venture Partners' roadmap provides a comprehensive analysis of the AI data center infrastructure opportunity, highlighting six key areas of investment: permitting and site selection, power generation, transmission and power conversion, software and orchestration, construction and maintenance, and cooling technologies. It discusses the current state of data center buildout (190 GW announced, 777 projects), the energy crisis driven by AI workloads, government actions like invoking the Defense Production Act, and the shift toward on-site power solutions. The report is intended for entrepreneurs, investors, and strategists looking to understand the enabling technology stack for AI data centers.

Key Features

Comprehensive analysis of AI data center infrastructure investment opportunity
Six identified opportunity areas: permitting/site selection, power generation, transmission/conversion, software/orchestration, construction/maintenance, cooling technologies
Covers current market data: 190 GW announced across 777 projects
Addresses grid connection delays (5-7 years vs. 12-18 month construction)
Discusses regulatory and policy landscape, including Defense Production Act invocation
Backed by Bessemer's venture capital experience and portfolio companies

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Comprehensive coverage of six critical infrastructure domains
  • Backed by Bessemer's decades of venture capital experience
  • Identifies specific investment opportunities with real market data
  • Addresses regulatory and policy aspects like the Defense Production Act
  • Includes portfolio examples and industry contacts
  • Free resource with no paywall
Cons
  • Focuses primarily on US market and Bessemer's investment perspective
  • Does not include detailed financial projections or valuations
  • Limited coverage of supply chain or geopolitical risks
  • May not address smaller-scale or edge data center trends
  • Not a technical implementation guide; strategic overview only

Best For

Venture capital investors evaluating AI infrastructure opportunitiesStartups building hardware or software for data centersEnergy and grid strategists planning for AI-driven demandData center operators seeking technology solutions for power and coolingPolicy makers understanding infrastructure bottlenecks