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  • February 14, 2025
AirTrunk employees shocked by ,000 holiday bonuses

AirTrunk employees shocked by $65,000 holiday bonuses

What is the best end-of-year gift you received from your employer? A personalized mug, a company t-shirt, a gift card… how about a $65,000 bonus?

That’s what AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda has in store for hundreds of his employees for months after the company’s successful $24 billion acquisition by U.S. private equity group Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.

According to the Australian Financial StatementKhuda – who was $1 billion in the green after the sale – will hand out bonuses totaling $22 million to more than 300 employees, in addition to AirTrunk’s existing profit-sharing arrangement with some of its senior executives.

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The acquisition of the data center company, founded in 2015 by Khuda, is one of the largest acquisitions of an Australian company and the largest acquisition deal of 2024 to date.

SmartCompany understands that the $65,000 bonus is intended to recognize the hard work, determination and contribution of employees in making the AirTrunk acquisition the largest ever data center deal globally.

Members of the AirTrunk team were reportedly shocked and elated and felt like they were part of the company’s success.

Khuda originally came to Australia from Bangladesh as an 18-year-old to study accounting at the University of Technology Sydney, before completing his MBA in finance at Manchester Business School in the UK and further studying in the US.

The news of The acquisition of AirTrunk was celebrated by the local South Asian communitywith some calling Khuda a “beacon of light” and others noting that the founder is “part of a virtuous cycle of South Asian Australian founders who have elevated other people in the tech ecosystem and are known to give back to the community” .

Khuda’s family launched the Khuda Family Foundation in 2020 with more than $1 million dedicated to supporting women in STEM.

It’s been a big year for AirTrunk, but Khuda has previously said he has big plans for the company, including reaching its next big goal: a $100 billion valuation. The company is currently looking to expand its workforce and presence in Asian countries.

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