Nscale will deploy over 66,000 NVIDIA Rubin GPUs for Microsoft at Start Campus' Portugal site. The deal is one of the first large-scale commitments for NVIDIA's next-gen Rubin architecture.
Key facts
- 66,000+ NVIDIA Rubin GPUs for Microsoft.
- Deployment at Start Campus' 1.2 GW Sines, Portugal site.
- Rubin is NVIDIA's next-gen architecture, succeeding Blackwell.
- First publicly confirmed large-scale Rubin deployment.
- Financial terms and exact timeline undisclosed.
Nscale announced it will deliver over 66,000 NVIDIA Rubin GPUs to Microsoft at the Start Campus data center site in Sines, Portugal. The deployment will take place at the 1.2 GW campus, one of Europe's largest planned data center projects.
Rubin is NVIDIA's next-generation GPU architecture, succeeding Blackwell, with volume shipments expected in 2026. [According to Nscale's press release] The deal is one of the first publicly confirmed large-scale Rubin deployments, signaling Microsoft's aggressive push to secure next-gen GPU capacity outside the US.
Why this matters
This deal is notable not just for its size, but for its geography. Microsoft is routing a major portion of its next-gen AI compute to Portugal, a country with relatively low energy costs and a strong renewable energy grid. The Start Campus site aims to be powered by 100% renewable energy, a key consideration as hyperscalers face mounting pressure on carbon targets.
The move also reflects a broader trend: hyperscalers are diversifying data center locations to manage energy constraints and geopolitical risk. Microsoft's Kenya data center project recently stalled due to energy shortfalls [per Semafor], making Portugal's 1.2 GW capacity and stable grid a strategic hedge.
Competitive context
Nscale, a UK-based GPU cloud provider, is positioning itself as a specialist in large-scale AI deployments. This deal puts it in direct competition with CoreWeave, Lambda, and other GPU-as-a-service players. Microsoft's choice of Nscale over internal Azure deployment suggests the company is willing to use external partners to accelerate capacity, even as it builds its own AI infrastructure.
Financial terms were not disclosed. The companies did not specify a deployment timeline beyond "2026."
What to watch
Watch for NVIDIA's official Rubin launch timeline in 2026 and whether Microsoft announces additional Rubin deployments at other sites. Also monitor Nscale's next customer announcement — if it lands another hyperscaler, the company becomes a serious CoreWeave competitor.
