The Bunker Gets Expansion Funding

thebunker

The entrance to an ultra-secure data center operated by The Bunker in Kent, UK.

The Bunker in Kent, UK continues to be on the vanguard of the market for ultra-secure “military grade” data centers housed in nuke-proof subterranean fortresses. The company announced this week that it has completed its fourth round of financing, raising £1million ($1.6 million US) of new funds from existing shareholders. The funds will be used to continue upgrading the company's facilities at its Ash and Newbury Data Centres.

The Bunker, which has hosted clients in underground facilities since 1994, last year announced plans to expand with a 12,000 square meter (130,000 square foot) data center on its existing campus in Sandwich, Kent. As with the company’s two existing data centers, The Bunker 2 offers space for companies that need to be in the London market but are wary of the risk of disaster or terrorism.

“I am delighted with the outcome of this latest round of financing," said Peregrine Newton, CEO of the Bunker. "The management team see this as another positive endorsement of the progress of the company. The Bunker is now a very profitable business and these funds will allow us to accelerate our upgrade plans and continue expansion. It is tremendous to have such a supportive shareholder base behind us and to be able to draw on such a deep pool of expertise in finance, technology and business growth and development.”

The expansion by The Bunker reflects the growing niche for underground “nuke-proof” data storage facilities housed in former military facilities, mines or limestone caves. These subterranean fortresses have strong appeal for tenants seeking ultra-secure hosting that will survive any eventuality – including a nuclear blast.

This trend has given new life to aging military bunkers in the US, UK and Canada. Although security is usually the primary motivation for customers, underground facilities offer advantages to the data center operator. Chief among them is cooling, as these subterranean facilities typically have a natural temperature of 60 degrees or lower.