Vertiv, Nvidia & iGenius Unite to Build AI Supercomputer

Colosseum marks a bold new direction in how sovereign AI capabilities are delivered.

Designed by iGenius, powered by Nvidia Grace Blackwell superchips and supported by Vertiv’s modular infrastructure systems, it is one of the world’s largest Nvidia DGX AI supercomputers.

Due to go live in Italy in 2025, this project is not only about high-performance computing – but about redefining how nations can assert control over data processing in regulated sectors.

This strategic deployment brings together three major players – Nvidia, iGenius and Vertiv – to reshape what sovereign AI looks like on the ground.

Built as a sovereign AI data centre, Colosseum aims to serve sectors with strict data controls, like finance and healthcare, while also meeting performance demands.

Uljan Sharka, CEO of iGenius, says: “Harnessing the power of Nvidia's cutting-edge accelerated computing and Vertiv's innovative infrastructure expertise, Colosseum stands as a testament to the transformative potential of sovereign AI.

“We’re demonstrating how modular systems and software-specific infrastructure enable a new era of mission-critical AI.”

AI-centric design with modular efficiency

Colosseum’s foundation rests on a modular approach to data centre infrastructure.

This is delivered through Vertiv’s 360AI reference architecture, a system purpose-built to accommodate the power and cooling demands of Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72.

Released in 2024, this chip architecture allows Colosseum to balance computational strength with energy efficiency.

Located in southern Italy, the site is chosen to meet local government criteria and support Europe’s data sovereignty ambitions.

As a DGX SuperPOD – a scalable AI data centre from Nvidia – Colosseum uses Nvidia Omniverse Blueprint technologies to refine AI factory operations.

The digital twin of Colosseum, developed in partnership with Nvidia, enables all three companies to collaborate in real time and simulate performance scenarios before deployment.

This hands-on testing through digital twin models accelerates design decisions, helping engineers cut down simulation cycles and improve infrastructure performance before physical rollout.

Karsten Winther, President of Vertiv, EMEA, explains: “The unit of compute is no longer the chip — it’s the system, the AI Factory,

“Through our collaboration with Nvidia and visionary AI player iGenius, we are proving the efficiency and system-level maturity of delivering the data centre as a unit of compute, unlocking rapid adoption of AI-native power and cooling infrastructure as a catalyst for AI at scale.”

Accelerating AI factory deployment

To prepare for fast-track builds, Vertiv has expanded its AI Hub reference design library to include its co-developed model for the Nvidia GB300 NVL72 system.

These reference designs anticipate rising rack power densities required by AI workloads and aim to streamline infrastructure planning for future AI factories.

This model of AI-focused infrastructure includes prefabricated modular data centre components.

Each module integrates power, cooling, management and monitoring, while scaling up to support 132kW per rack.

With this architecture, Colosseum is not just a single installation – it becomes a repeatable, scalable template for AI deployment.

With operational oversight via Nvidia Mission Control and synchronised building management through Vertiv Unify, Colosseum reflects a next-generation approach to AI data centres.

This alignment means not just quick deployment but a structure that can adapt to evolving AI needs.

“AI is reshaping the data centre landscape, demanding new levels of scale, efficiency and adaptability for global AI factories,” comments Charlie Boyle, Vice President of DGX platforms at Nvidia. 

“With physically-based digital twins enabled by Nvidia Omniverse technologies and Vertiv’s modular design for the iGenius DGX SuperPOD data centre, Colosseum sets a new standard for building supercomputers for the era of AI.”

A blueprint for global sovereign AI

Colosseum doesn’t just serve as a regional tech centre – it acts as a global prototype.

The partnership sees iGenius designing for scalability from the outset, making it a framework for future sovereign AI sites around the world.

The AI data centre is built to meet the operational and compliance needs of AI in sensitive sectors, while remaining agile enough to be deployed quickly and replicated elsewhere.

By combining modular engineering with chip-level innovation and digital twin modelling, this project presents a fully integrated AI infrastructure system.

From concept to operation, it reflects how advanced data centre design now prioritises adaptability, sustainability and control.

Vertiv’s modular systems make it possible to deploy at speed, without compromising on customisation or efficiency.

At the same time, Nvidia’s DGX platform and Omniverse tools add another layer of sophistication, allowing Colosseum to handle complex AI workflows while maintaining regional data governance.

“Colosseum is more than a data centre. It’s the template for scalable, repeatable, sovereign AI factories,” Vertiv says in its press release.

“By combining cloud-scale density, local data control and modular deployment, it signals the next phase of AI: where inference must be secure, fast, compliant and distributed.

“This is not a one-off project — it’s a reference point. iGenius is building a blueprint with Colosseum designed to be repeated globally, with Vertiv and Nvidia aligned on future platform support, including DGX GB300 systems and beyond. 

“The future of sovereign AI is no longer theoretical — it’s being built now.”

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