I’m an entrepreneur, digital strategist, and passionate advocate for the future of Europe’s digital infrastructure. As the founder and CEO of firstcolo GmbH, I’ve been developing and operating high-performance data centers in the heart of Europe since 2007 – with a clear focus on energy efficiency, scalable technologies, and regulatory compliance.
With over 20 years of industry experience, I bring not only technical and economic expertise but also a deep understanding of the political and societal dynamics shaping our digital future. I’m driven by questions like: What does Europe need to achieve true digital sovereignty? How can we align the AI boom with climate protection? And why are data centers at the very core of this transformation?
My perspective is grounded in real-world experience, strategic foresight, and the firm belief that infrastructure policy and technology policy go hand in hand. As an active business angel and contributor to tech and business media, I also focus on emerging topics such as AI-powered cloud management, smart cities, and the role of data centers as sustainable economic engines.
I regularly speak at technology conferences, business forums, and policy panels – both as a panelist and moderator. I take pride in making complex infrastructure topics accessible, relevant, and forward-looking, while always staying rooted in practical reality.
Company: firstcolo GmbH
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Jerome Evans: My name is Jerome Evans – I’m an entrepreneur, visionary, and CEO of firstcolo, a leading provider of cloud services and colocation data centers in Germany. I started my first company at age 15 and founded firstcolo to deliver secure, high-performance infrastructure solutions that power Europe’s digital future. With over 80 employees and a new AI-ready, greenfield data center underway, we’re committed to combining technological excellence with sustainability and purpose.
What inspired you to prioritize sustainability as a core pillar of your business, and how do you ensure it’s more than just a buzzword in your strategy?
Jerome Evans: Sustainability isn’t a marketing trend for us – it’s a business imperative. As data centers consume increasing amounts of energy, I believe we have a duty to minimize our environmental footprint. At firstcolo, sustainability is embedded into every decision, from site planning to lifecycle management. Our strategy includes using 100% renewable energy, designing for waste heat recovery, and building infrastructure with a PUE under 1.2. It’s not about slogans – it’s about measurable action.
What’s one specific sustainability initiative in your company that has delivered both environmental impact and measurable financial returns?
Jerome Evans: One standout initiative is the integration of heat reuse and liquid cooling technologies at our upcoming flagship data center. We’re not only partnering with the local municipality to feed excess heat into the district heating network, but also implementing liquid cooling systems to manage the increasing density and energy demand of AI and HPC workloads. Compared to traditional air cooling, liquid cooling is significantly more energy-efficient, reducing both electricity consumption and operating costs. Together, these technologies create a double dividend: they lower our environmental footprint and optimize long-term ROI – proving that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.
How do you navigate pushback from stakeholders such as investors or board members who prioritize short-term profits over long-term sustainability goals?
Jerome Evans: By being transparent and strategic. I view investors as long-term partners – and many are now aware that sustainability drives resilience and value. I share data, risk scenarios, and case studies that demonstrate how energy efficiency, compliance, and ESG leadership translate into competitive advantage. Long-term thinking isn’t a luxury – it’s smart business in a transforming market.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve faced in embedding sustainable practices into your operations, and how did you overcome it?
Jerome Evans: Infrastructure bottlenecks – especially energy availability and permitting delays – have been our biggest challenges. When we were told that sufficient power capacity in Frankfurt (Germany) would take ten years, we made a bold move: building our new data center just outside the city. Strategic location choices, early stakeholder engagement, and persistence helped us turn a roadblock into an opportunity.
Looking ahead, what emerging sustainability trend or innovation do you believe will reshape your industry, and how is your company preparing to lead in that space?
Jerome Evans: I see AI as both a challenge and a catalyst. The massive compute demands of AI call for radically more efficient infrastructure. That’s why we’re investing in high-density racks, liquid cooling, and real-time monitoring systems. At the same time, we’re contributing to shaping Europe’s AI infrastructure landscape with scalable, green, and sovereign data center solutions. The future is sustainable – or it won’t be at all.
