Uber’s IPO will be early test for SoftBank’s massive venture fund
5 years, 8 months ago

Uber’s IPO will be early test for SoftBank’s massive venture fund

CNN  

New York CNN Business — In the second half of 2017, Uber was in a state of disarray. Uber’s IPO will be “the first real litmus test” for SoftBank’s investment strategy, said Kartik Hosanagar, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “It’s their first investment to go public and also one of their larger investments.” But Uber may prove to be just the first of several Vision Fund investments to go public this year. SoftBank and the Vision Fund have collectively invested billions of dollars in WeWork, which Son once said could be the “next Alibaba.” The Vision Fund scored an early win with Flipkart, India’s leading online retailer, which was acquired last year by Walmart in a deal that reportedly pegged SoftBank’s stake at $4 billion, a 60% return from what it invested. In an earnings presentation Thursday, Son said the company is “preparing for the establishment of SoftBank Vision Fund 2.” He expects many of the investors who participated in the first Vision Fund to back the new fund, but those plans may be complicated by scrutiny of Saudi Arabia over the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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History of this topic

Donald Trump hails $100 billion SoftBank investment in US—AI, jobs, and growth on the horizon
Top News
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Donald Trump hails $100 billion SoftBank investment in US—AI, jobs, and growth on the horizon

Live Mint  

President-elect Donald Trump, joined by SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son, announced on Monday that SoftBank would invest $100 billion in the United States over the next four years. At the announcement event held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump praised Son as a “visionary business leader” and highlighted the investment as a testament to global confidence in …

Trump, SoftBank CEO to announce $100 billion investment in US
Trending News
3 weeks, 3 days ago

Trump, SoftBank CEO to announce $100 billion investment in US

Live Mint  

PALM BEACH, Fla.—Donald Trump and SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son are set to jointly announce on Monday that the company is planning to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects over the next four years, according to a person involved in the event, as the president-elect seeks to project enthusiasm over his return to power. The $100 billion is double what …

SoftBank’s CEO to pledge $100 billion in U.S. investments
3 weeks, 3 days ago

SoftBank’s CEO to pledge $100 billion in U.S. investments

LA Times  

SoftBank Group Corp. Chief Executive Masayoshi Son is set to announce a plan to invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next four years during a visit with President-elect Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will give $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund after having previously donated to President Biden’s 2024 reelection …

'This is what I was born to do': Masayoshi Son's SoftBank to invest another $1.5 billion into OpenAI for AI development
1 month, 1 week ago

'This is what I was born to do': Masayoshi Son's SoftBank to invest another $1.5 billion into OpenAI for AI development

Hindustan Times  

SoftBank is planning to buy $1.5 billion worth of OpenAI stock as its CEO Masayoshi Son looks to position the Japanese group as an artificial intelligence leader. SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has also publicly expressed admiration for OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman and said he frequently talks to him Son is doing this with an ambitious AI plan of …

SostBank Vision Fund’s Rajeev Mishra steps down as co-chief of largest-ever VC fund
1 month, 4 weeks ago

SostBank Vision Fund’s Rajeev Mishra steps down as co-chief of largest-ever VC fund

Live Mint  

Rajeev Misra is formally stepping down as co-chief executive officer of SoftBank Group Corp.’s Vision Fund, bringing to a close a tumultuous tenure at the helm of what had been the largest-ever venture capital fund. Misra was instrumental in helping SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son set up the Vision Fund in 2017, helping him raise nearly $100 billion from Saudi Arabia, …

SoftBank posts $7.7 billion profit on India’s IPO market boom, rebound in tech valuations
1 month, 4 weeks ago

SoftBank posts $7.7 billion profit on India’s IPO market boom, rebound in tech valuations

Live Mint  

SoftBank Group Corp. swung to a quarterly profit on a series of successful Indian listings and a rebound in tech valuations that boosted the Vision Fund portfolio. The Vision Fund reported a gain of ¥373 billion, thanks to strong initial public offerings for Indian startups and valuation gains in Coupang Inc. and Didi Global Inc. A boom in India’s IPO …

SoftBank loses nearly $6 billion in quarter as investments suffer
1 year, 11 months ago

SoftBank loses nearly $6 billion in quarter as investments suffer

Live Mint  

TOKYO : SoftBank Group Corp.’s technology investment vehicles posted a loss of nearly $6 billion in the latest quarter, leading the company to reiterate its conservative approach. After posting a record loss equivalent to more than $20 billion in the April-to-June quarter, it reported an equally large profit in the quarter ending in September thanks to profits from unwinding its …

SoftBank Emerges as a Big Loser of the Tech Downturn. Again
2 years, 5 months ago

SoftBank Emerges as a Big Loser of the Tech Downturn. Again

Live Mint  

Early last year, Masayoshi Son addressed his staff on a video call. Son and his team plowed $38 billion from SoftBank’s latest giant fund into 183 companies last year, according to SoftBank’s filings. “When he believes something is the future he will literally take everything he has and bet it on that," said Gary Rieschel, who helped lead Mr. Son’s …

‘SoftBank could invest over $4 billion in India’
3 years, 7 months ago

‘SoftBank could invest over $4 billion in India’

Hindustan Times  

Masayoshi Son-led SoftBank Group Corp. could put more than $4 billion to work in India in 2021 across myriad technology bets, including software as a service, B2B marketplaces, e-commerce, health-tech and ed-tech. The investments will come from the Japanese company’s Vision Fund 2, which has an investment outlay of up to $30 billion for the current calendar year. We anticipate …

Interview: Softbank Vision Fund CEO Rajeev Misra on what’s in store for India
3 years, 7 months ago

Interview: Softbank Vision Fund CEO Rajeev Misra on what’s in store for India

Live Mint  

NEW DELHI : Masayoshi Son -led SoftBank Group Corp. could put more than $4 billion to work in India in 2021 across myriad technology bets, including software as a service, B2B marketplaces, e-commerce, health-tech and ed-tech. We anticipate investing a similar size in the remainder of this year," SoftBank Vision Fund CEO Rajeev Misra said in an interview from London. …

SoftBank warns of huge losses as Vision Fund value collapses
4 years, 8 months ago

SoftBank warns of huge losses as Vision Fund value collapses

CNN  

London CNN Business — SoftBank warned Monday that it expected to post its first operating loss in 15 years because of a collapse in the value of its flagship tech investments. The Vision Fund is expected to report losses amounting to 1.8 trillion yen due to “the deteriorating market environment,” the company said in a statement. Big losses on other …

Masa Son’s tech empire is being rocked by the pandemic. Don’t count him out just yet
4 years, 9 months ago

Masa Son’s tech empire is being rocked by the pandemic. Don’t count him out just yet

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — Japanese billionaireMasa Son cast himself as a bold, visionary investor betting on the future. Moody’s pushed the company’s credit further into junk status, citing its “aggressive financial strategy.” Selling SoftBank’s “highly-valued” stakes in established companies such as China’s Alibaba or US mobile provider Sprint, just as the market is getting roiled by the pandemic,woulddrive down …

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son considers new type of fund for startup investing
4 years, 10 months ago

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son considers new type of fund for startup investing

Live Mint  

SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son said he is considering a new type of fund for startup investing, showing his determination to keep cutting deals after missteps with WeWork and several other companies. “So before we officially launch SoftBank Vision Fund 2, maybe we start from a smaller scale and start from a shorter period in terms of investment as …

Vision Fund losses drag down SoftBank profits by 99%
4 years, 10 months ago

Vision Fund losses drag down SoftBank profits by 99%

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — SoftBank profits have been almost entirely wiped out, as the company continues to feel the pain from big losses in its massive tech fund. SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son’s closely watched $100 billion Vision Fund was the biggest driver of those losses. But WeWork’s failed IPO and Uber’s declining share price “have caused concern …

SoftBank Vision Fund bets sour and key staff are leaving, upping the scrutiny on Masayoshi Son
4 years, 10 months ago

SoftBank Vision Fund bets sour and key staff are leaving, upping the scrutiny on Masayoshi Son

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son wants to shape the future of technology for centuries to come, but that bold dream may be fading as his Vision Fund stumbles and investors press for much more focus on the present. The Financial Times reported last week that top US executive Michael Ronen was leaving the Vision …

SoftBank’s big bets have backfired. Now it’s under scrutiny from a legendary activist investor
4 years, 11 months ago

SoftBank’s big bets have backfired. Now it’s under scrutiny from a legendary activist investor

CNN  

New York CNN Business — SoftBank is under pressure from a legendary activist investor after a series of bets on money-losing startups backfired on the Japanese tech giant. New York-based Elliott Management revealed Thursday it has built a “substantial” stake in SoftBank, the firm run by billionaire Masa Son known for its $100 billion Vision Fund. Elliott, one of the …

Softbank’s Masayoshi Son, tech visionary or robber baron?
5 years ago

Softbank’s Masayoshi Son, tech visionary or robber baron?

Live Mint  

This is the year that brought a $100 billion venture capitalist to his knees. In January, SoftBank Group Corp.’s Masayoshi Son was riding high, writing billion-dollar checks to unicorns from office-sharing startup WeWork to autonomous-delivery vehicle designer Nuro. Over the past three years, Son has deployed his giant war chest aggressively, threatening to back a startup’s rival if founders refuse …

SoftBank’s troubles don’t end with Wag. Here are 5 more Vision Fund investments to watch closely
5 years ago

SoftBank’s troubles don’t end with Wag. Here are 5 more Vision Fund investments to watch closely

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — SoftBank’s decision to abandon its $300 million investment in dog-walking startup Wag has raised more questions about the strategy of its mega tech fund. The Vision Fund also has stakes in ride-hailing startups Didi, Grab and Ola, all of which “will likely face similar issues as Uber, with their economics likely remaining challenged until robo-taxis …

Committed to India in the long term, says SoftBank’s India head Sumer Juneja
5 years, 1 month ago

Committed to India in the long term, says SoftBank’s India head Sumer Juneja

Firstpost  

Masayoshi Son, CEO and Founder of SoftBank, during his India visit, said that he wants to bet on the future. We have an optimistic outlook, a fundamental belief in the country’s potential and remain committed to India in the long term,” Sumer Juneja, Partner and Head of India, SoftBank Investment Advisers, told Tech2. “SoftBank’s other investments in India might come …

Vision Fund: Masa Son isn’t giving up on his big tech dreams yet
5 years, 2 months ago

Vision Fund: Masa Son isn’t giving up on his big tech dreams yet

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — SoftBank just reported its first loss in more than a decade — all because of its big bets on splashy, money-losing tech startupssuch as WeWork and Uber. He said that he learned a “harsh lesson” from the collapse in WeWork’s valuation, and that Uber has had “issues.” Butthe billionaire businessmanalso made clear that he’s standing …

SoftBank urges portfolio firms to focus on profitability first, IPOs later
5 years, 2 months ago

SoftBank urges portfolio firms to focus on profitability first, IPOs later

Live Mint  

Humbled by recent experiences with its two major bets—Uber and WeWork—SoftBank chief executive Masayoshi Son is urging global and Indian companies in his portfolio to sharpen their focus on earning profits before venturing into the path of initial public offerings. “While we are profitable at a building level; we are continuing to make positive strides at the group level where …

SoftBank’s big tech ambitions in doubt after WeWork IPO debacle and Uber’s slump
5 years, 3 months ago

SoftBank’s big tech ambitions in doubt after WeWork IPO debacle and Uber’s slump

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has been shaking up the global tech industry and Silicon Valley, using his $100 billion Vision Fund to pour money into splashy startups like Uber, Slack and WeWork. Slack is also down 40% from a June high and down 25% from the reference price set when it went public.The SoftBank Vision …

SoftBank’s big tech bets are paying billions
5 years, 5 months ago

SoftBank’s big tech bets are paying billions

CNN  

Tokyo CNN Business — SoftBank’s massive tech fund is pulling in big profits. Operating income for the Vision Fund soared 66% to nearly 398 billion yen last quarter thanks to valuation gains on investments like Oyo, Slack and Doordash, SoftBan said in an earnings statement Wednesday. SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son launched the $100 billion Vision Fund in May 2017, with …

SoftBank to use proceeds from first Vision fund for the second
5 years, 5 months ago

SoftBank to use proceeds from first Vision fund for the second

Live Mint  

SoftBank Group Corp plans to use proceeds from its first Vision Fund to bankroll the $38 billion it has committed to the second, a person aware of the development said, in a show of unflinching confidence in its huge tech bets commanding sky-high valuations when sold. The Japanese investment firm, led by artificial intelligence advocate Masayoshi Son, on Friday said …

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son forms $108-billion Vision Fund 2 with Apple, Microsoft
5 years, 5 months ago

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son forms $108-billion Vision Fund 2 with Apple, Microsoft

Live Mint  

SoftBank Group Corp.’s founder Masayoshi Son launched a second Vision Fund, seeking to extend his reign as the world’s most influential technology investor. Apple Inc., Microsoft Corp., sovereign wealth fund of Kazakhstan and a number of Japanese finance companies are also expected to contribute capital, SoftBank said. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Mubadala Investment Co., key partners in the …

SoftBank fund says in no hurry to exit firms in India portfolio
5 years, 5 months ago

SoftBank fund says in no hurry to exit firms in India portfolio

Live Mint  

SoftBank Vision Fund, the late stage fund led by Japan’s Masayoshi Son and one of the biggest investors in Indian tech-enabled startups, said it is not in a hurry to list the companies it has invested in the country and would wait for the right opportunity. IPOs are an important one-time decision for the company, so we will take them …

SoftBank’s Son shines a spotlight on his Vision Fund proteges
5 years, 5 months ago

SoftBank’s Son shines a spotlight on his Vision Fund proteges

Live Mint  

Masayoshi Son likes to sketch out a grand vision for the future of artificial intelligence to justify his seemingly scattershot approach to investing. The founders of Southeast Asian ride-hailing giant Grab, indoor farming startup Plenty, Indian hotel chain OYO Rooms and payments service Paytm took the stage at an annual SoftBank conference to explain how AI helps them stay on …

SoftBank taps Goldman Sachs to begin new fund investor talks in July
5 years, 6 months ago

SoftBank taps Goldman Sachs to begin new fund investor talks in July

Live Mint  

SoftBank Group Corp. is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. to raise money for its second $100 billion technology investment fund and will begin formally soliciting investors in July, according to people familiar with the matter. While Son has made no secret of his intention to raise more capital after the first Vision Fund, there has been heated debate over …

SoftBank plans second Vision fund, reports profit surge on Uber gain
5 years, 8 months ago

SoftBank plans second Vision fund, reports profit surge on Uber gain

Live Mint  

Hours ahead of Uber Technologies Inc.’s market debut, the ride-hailing company’s biggest shareholder, Masayoshi Son’s SoftBank Group Corp., is already reaping rewards, if only on paper. Son has been remaking SoftBank Group from primarily a telecommunications operator into a technology investment firm, and his $100 billion Vision Fund has already emerged as a major contributor to earnings. The Vision Fund …

What Uber’s IPO tells us about SoftBank’s big ride-hailing bet
5 years, 8 months ago

What Uber’s IPO tells us about SoftBank’s big ride-hailing bet

Live Mint  

As Uber Technologies Inc. prepares for its mammoth initial public offering later this week, no one has more on the line in the ride-hailing business than Masayoshi Son. SoftBank’s stakes in Uber, China’s Didi Chuxing, Southeast Asia’s Grab and India’s Ola are worth between $22.1 billion and $26.5 billion, according to Chris Lane, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & …

SoftBank says it has made $3.8 billion off its Uber investment
5 years, 8 months ago

SoftBank says it has made $3.8 billion off its Uber investment

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — SoftBank CEO Masa Son’s big bets on Uber and other tech companies are poised to make the Japanesecompany a lot of money. SoftBank reported Thursday that the value of its investment in the ride hailing company has increased 418 billion yen.It invested more than $7 billion in Uber in 2017 through its Vision Fund. Son …

SoftBank’s Masa Son announces the formation of another mega tech fund
5 years, 8 months ago

SoftBank’s Masa Son announces the formation of another mega tech fund

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — Why have one $100 billion mega tech fund, when you can have two? “This is the first time that we are officially announcing that we are preparing for the establishment of SoftBank Vision Fund 2,” Son said at the company’s earnings presentation. The size and structuring of the new fund hasn’t been decided yet, he …

SoftBank mulls IPO of $100 billion Vision Fund: Source
5 years, 8 months ago

SoftBank mulls IPO of $100 billion Vision Fund: Source

Live Mint  

Japan's SoftBank Group Corp is considering an initial public offering of its $100 billion Vision Fund, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday. Softbank has spoken to half a dozen banks over the last month about a potential listing of the Vision Fund but has yet to start a formal process, the source said, adding he was not …

Inside SoftBank’s push to rule the road
5 years, 8 months ago

Inside SoftBank’s push to rule the road

Live Mint  

SoftBank Group Corp leader Masayoshi Son has much bigger ambitions for transportation than simply seeing his investment in Uber Technologies Inc turn into more than $13 billion when the company goes public next month. Key partners in Son's quest are Uber, the US ride services leader, and Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. Uber's planned initial public stock offering in May is …

SoftBank and Saudi Arabia are two big winners from the Uber IPO
5 years, 8 months ago

SoftBank and Saudi Arabia are two big winners from the Uber IPO

CNN  

London CNN Business — Uber’s IPO is generating plenty of excitement in Silicon Valley. They’re the main backers of the SoftBank Vision Fund, Uber’s largest shareholder with a 16.3% stake.Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund also owns a direct stake of 5.3%. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which invested in 2016,also has an Uber board seat occupied by itsmanaging director Yasir …

SoftBank, Toyota in talks to invest $1 billion in Uber’s self-driving unit
5 years, 9 months ago

SoftBank, Toyota in talks to invest $1 billion in Uber’s self-driving unit

Live Mint  

New York: A group of investors led by SoftBank Group Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp is in talks to invest $1 billion or more into Uber Technologies Inc.'s self-driving car unit, which would value the unit at $5 billion to $10 billion, said two people familiar with the talks. Japan's largest automaker Toyota injected $500 million into Uber last year …

SoftBank’s bet on Uber is paying off. Nvidia is another story
5 years, 11 months ago

SoftBank’s bet on Uber is paying off. Nvidia is another story

CNN  

Hong Kong CNN Business — Some of SoftBank CEO Masa Son’s big bets on tech companies are paying off for the company’s bottom line. The company said Wednesday that a sharp drop in the value of Nvidia, whose shares plunged toward the end of 2018, cost it 117 billion yen in the last three months of the year — even …

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