AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda levels up end-of-year gifting with $65,000 employee bonuses
$65,000. That’s what AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda has in store for hundreds of his employees months after the company’s blockbuster $24 billion acquisition.
What is the best end-of-year gift you’ve received from your employer? A personalised 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 months after the company’s blockbuster $24 billion acquisition by US private equity group Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
According to the Australian Financial Review, Khuda – who was $1 billion dollars in green after the sale – will hand out bonuses totalling $22 million to more than 300 employees, in addition to AirTrunk’s existing profit-sharing arrangement with some of its senior executives.
Founded in 2015 by Khuda, the data centre business’ acquisition is one of the largest acquisitions of an Australian company and the biggest acquisition deal of 2024 so far.
SmartCompany understands the $65,000 bonus is aimed to recognise the employees’ hard work, determination and contribution to help make AirTrunk’s acquisition the largest ever data centre deal globally.
Members of the AirTrunk team were reportedly shocked, and delighted and had a feeling of being a part of the company’s success.
Khuda originally came to Australia as an 18-year-old from Bangladesh to study accounting at the University of Technology Sydney, before going on to secure his MBA in finance from the Manchester Business School in the UK and further studies in the US.
The news of AirTrunk’s acquisition was celebrated by the local South Asian community, with some calling Khuda a “beacon of light” and others commenting that the founder is “part of a virtuous cycle of South Asian Australian founders who has lifted other people in the tech ecosystem and is known to give back to the community”.
Khuda’s family set up the Khuda Family Foundation in 2020 with over $1 million earmarked to support women in STEM.
It’s been a big year for AirTrunk but Khuda has previously mentioned that he has big plans for the company, including reaching its next big goal – a valuation of $100 billion. The company is currently looking to expand its headcount and its presence in Asian countries.
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