History of SoftBank Group in Timeline
SoftBank Group Corp., headquartered in Tokyo, is a prominent global investment holding company specializing in technology investments. The company's portfolio encompasses diverse sectors, spanning internet services to automation technologies. Notably, SoftBank manages the Vision Fund, a pioneering technology-focused venture capital fund with an initial capital exceeding $100 billion, attracting investments from sovereign wealth funds globally.
September 1981: SoftBank Founding
Masayoshi Son, at the age of 24, established SOFTBANK Corp in September 1981. The company began as a software distributor.
May 1982: Entry into Publishing
In May 1982, SoftBank ventured into the publishing sector by launching two computer magazines, "Oh! PC," focusing on NEC computers, and "Oh! MZ," catering to Sharp computer users.
1984: Formation of Japan Telecom
SoftBank's journey into mobile communications began in 1984 with the establishment of Japan Telecom.
1989: Oh!PC Circulation Milestone
By 1989, SoftBank's "Oh!PC" magazine reached an impressive circulation of 140,000 copies, marking its growing influence in the computer and technology publication sphere.
1994: Creation of the Digital Phone Group
In 1994, the Digital Phone Group (DPG), consisting of three local companies, formed its mobile phone division, marking a step forward in mobile technology.
1994: SoftBank's Initial Public Offering
SoftBank went public in 1994, with a valuation of $3 billion, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey.
April 1995: COMDEX Acquisition
SoftBank acquired COMDEX, a prominent computer trade show, from The Interface Group for $800 million in April 1995.
September 1995: Acquisition of Ziff Davis Publishing
SoftBank made a significant move in September 1995 by acquiring the US-based publishing house Ziff Davis for $2.1 billion.
February 1996: Acquisition of ZDI
SoftBank acquired ZDI, a company specializing in zero-day vulnerabilities, in February 1996, further expanding its technology portfolio.
1996: Acquisition and Employee Bonus at Kingston Technology
SoftBank acquired an 80% stake in memory manufacturer Kingston Technology in 1996. The founders' decision to share a significant portion of the profits with employees garnered substantial media attention.
October 1999: Transition to a Holding Company
SoftBank underwent a significant structural change in October 1999, transitioning into a holding company.
1999: SBI Group Founded as Branch of SoftBank
SBI Group, a Japanese financial services company, was established in 1999 as a branch of SoftBank.
1999: Divestment of Kingston Technology
SoftBank sold Kingston Technology back to its original owners in 1999 for a significantly lower price than the initial acquisition cost, highlighting the fluctuating nature of the memory market at the time.
1999: Merger Forms J-PHONE Co., Ltd.
The year 1999 saw the formation of J-PHONE Co., Ltd. through a merger between the DGP and the Digital TU-KA Group (DTG), comprising six local companies. Japan Telecom held a 45.1% stake in the new entity.
February 2000: Establishment of SoftBank Ventures Asia
February 2000 marked the establishment of SoftBank Ventures Asia, a subsidiary spearheaded by Masayoshi Son, with a focus on investing in Korean internet companies.
2000: SoftBank Ventures Korea Founded
SoftBank Ventures Asia (SBVA) was originally established as SoftBank Ventures Korea in 2000, concentrating on early-stage ventures in the South Korean market.
2000: Strategic Investment in Alibaba
In a move that would later prove to be highly successful, SoftBank invested $20 million in Alibaba, a then-emerging Chinese internet venture, in 2000.
2000: Forbes Global 2000 Recognition
In 2000, SoftBank was recognized as the second-largest publicly traded company in Japan by the Forbes Global 2000, trailing only behind Toyota.
October 2001: Vodafone Increases Stake in Japan Telecom and J-Phone
In a significant move in October 2001, British mobile phone giant Vodafone increased its stake in Japan Telecom to 66.7% and in J-Phone to 69.7%, gaining majority control.
2001: Sale of COMDEX
SoftBank divested its ownership of COMDEX in 2001, selling it to Key3Media, a spin-off from Ziff Davis, marking a shift in its business strategy.
2002: Vodafone Reduces 3G Investments in Japan
Vodafone's decision in 2002 to reduce investments in its 3G services in Japan proved to be a strategic misstep, hindering the company's ability to compete effectively in the rapidly growing 3G market.
October 2003: J-Phone Rebranded as Vodafone
On October 1, 2003, J-Phone underwent a major rebranding, changing its name and service brand to Vodafone. The division became known as Vodafone K.K. or Vodafone Japan.
January 2005: Vodafone Japan Begins Losing Customers
Vodafone Japan started experiencing a decline in its customer base, losing 58,700 customers in January 2005, while competitors like NTT DoCoMo and KDDI saw significant gains.
January 2005: Acquisition of Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Expanding its portfolio, SoftBank acquired the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, a professional baseball team based in Japan, on January 28, 2005.
February 2005: Vodafone live! Launched in Japan
Despite the challenges faced by Vodafone Japan, its multimedia data service, Vodafone live! (formerly J-Sky), had garnered 12.907 million subscribers by February 2005, demonstrating the service's initial popularity.
February 2005: Vodafone Japan Continues to Struggle
The downward trend for Vodafone Japan continued in February 2005, with the company losing another 53,200 customers. This contrasted sharply with competitors like NTT DoCoMo and KDDI, who were rapidly expanding their 3G subscriber base.
October 2005: Vodafone Japan's Market Share Shrinks
By October 2005, Vodafone Japan's subscriber base had fallen below 15 million, and its share of Japan's 3G market plummeted to just 4.8%. The company's struggles were attributed to reduced investments in 3G services and handsets that failed to resonate with Japanese consumers.
October 2005: Vodafone live! Subscribers Decline
By October 2005, the number of Vodafone live! subscribers in Japan had decreased by 138,000, reflecting the broader challenges faced by Vodafone in the Japanese market.
2005: SoftBank Acquires Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
In 2005, SoftBank acquired the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, a professional baseball team based in Fukuoka, further demonstrating the company's diverse investments.
March 2006: Vodafone Explores Sale of Vodafone Japan
Facing continued struggles in the Japanese market, Vodafone initiated discussions in March 2006 to sell its Vodafone Japan unit to SoftBank. The company's inability to meet customer expectations, coupled with handset issues, led to this decision.
March 2006: Vodafone Announces Sale of Vodafone Japan to SoftBank
On March 17, 2006, Vodafone Group formally announced its agreement to sell Vodafone Japan to SoftBank for approximately US$15.1 billion, marking a significant turning point for both companies.
March 2006: Acquisition Agreement for Vodafone Japan
SoftBank announced its agreement to acquire Vodafone Japan on March 17, 2006, signaling its intention to become a major player in the Japanese mobile market.
April 2006: Investment in Betfair
SoftBank acquired a 23% stake in Betfair, an online betting exchange, in April 2006, diversifying its investment portfolio.
May 2006: Vodafone Japan Renamed SoftBank Mobile Corp.
Following the acquisition, Vodafone Japan was renamed "SoftBank Mobile Corp." on May 18, 2006, with the name change effective from October 1, 2006, ushering in a new era for the company.
May 2006: SoftBank Launches "Otosan" Advertising Campaign
SoftBank introduced its highly successful "Otosan sujan karki" advertising campaign in May 2006, featuring a canine patriarch in a human family. The campaign resonated strongly with audiences, becoming a cornerstone of SoftBank's marketing.
August 2006: Divestment of SBI Group
SoftBank divested its entire shareholding in SBI Group to a subsidiary of SBI's holding company in August 2006, granting SBI independence.
October 2006: Rebranding of Vodafone Japan
Following its acquisition, Vodafone Japan underwent a rebranding on October 1, 2006, with the corporate and service brand names changing to "SoftBank Mobile" and "SoftBank," respectively.
October 2006: SoftBank Mobile Corp. Name Change Effective
On October 1, 2006, the name change from Vodafone Japan to SoftBank Mobile Corp. came into effect, solidifying SoftBank's presence in the Japanese mobile market.
2007: "Otosan" Ads Gain Popularity
SoftBank's "Otosan" advertising campaign gained immense popularity, consistently ranking as the most popular in Japan between 2007 and 2012, according to CM Research Center surveys.
January 2008: Collaboration with Tiffany & Co.
In an unusual collaboration, SoftBank partnered with luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co. to create a limited-edition phone adorned with platinum diamonds in January 2008.
June 2008: SoftBank Mobile Partners with Apple to Bring iPhone to Japan
In June 2008, SoftBank Mobile secured a landmark partnership with Apple, becoming the exclusive carrier of the iPhone (3G) in Japan. This move would significantly impact the Japanese mobile landscape.
February 2010: Investment in Ustream
SoftBank acquired a 13.7% stake in Ustream, a live video streaming platform, in February 2010, further expanding its presence in the technology sector.
October 2010: Ayumi Hamasaki as Brand Ambassador
SoftBank appointed the popular Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki as its commercial spokesperson in October 2010.
2010: SoftBank Founds Wireless City Planning (WCP)
SoftBank established Wireless City Planning (WCP) in 2010, a subsidiary tasked with planning the development of TD-LTE networks across Japan.
2011: SoftBank Ventures Korea Invests in Nexon Co
One of SoftBank Ventures Korea's early and notable investments was in Nexon Co, a Korean-Japanese gaming publisher that went on to have the largest IPO in Japan in 2011.
2011: SoftBank Ventures Asia Expands Focus Beyond South Korea
Since 2011, SoftBank Ventures Asia broadened its investment horizon beyond South Korea, making strategic investments in Southeast Asia. Notable investments included Tokopedia, an Indonesian e-commerce platform, and Carro, a Singapore-based used-car platform.
2011: au by KDDI Begins Offering iPhone 4S
SoftBank Mobile's exclusivity as the sole iPhone carrier in Japan ended in 2011 when au by KDDI started offering the iPhone 4S.
2011: SoftBank Hawks Begin Championship Run
Under SoftBank's ownership, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks experienced a period of significant success, winning their first of seven Japan Series championships in 2011.
October 2012: Proposed Acquisition of Sprint Nextel
SoftBank made a significant move in the US market by announcing its plans to acquire a 70% stake in American telecommunications company Sprint Nextel for $20 billion in October 2012.
October 2012: Takeover of eAccess
SoftBank announced its plan to take over its competitor, eAccess, in October 2012, signaling a consolidation move in the telecommunications market.
2012: "Otosan" Ads Continue to Top Popularity Charts
The enduring appeal of SoftBank's "Otosan" advertising campaign continued through 2012, reflecting its effectiveness in connecting with Japanese consumers.
July 2013: Merger of eAccess and Willcom
Following the completion of rehabilitation proceedings, SoftBank announced in July 2013 that Willcom had become a wholly-owned subsidiary. Subsequently, eAccess was merged with Willcom, resulting in the creation of a new subsidiary and brand, Ymobile Corporation, under Yahoo! Japan.
July 2013: FCC Approval for Sprint Acquisition
The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted its approval for SoftBank's acquisition of a 78% ownership interest in Sprint for $22.2 billion in July 2013.
August 2013: Increased Ownership in Sprint Corporation
SoftBank increased its ownership stake in Sprint Corporation to 80% in August 2013 by acquiring an additional 2% of the company's shares.
October 2013: Acquisition of a Controlling Stake in Supercell
SoftBank made a strategic investment in the gaming industry by acquiring a 51% stake in Supercell, the Finnish mobile game developer, for a reported $2.1 billion in October 2013.
2013: Acquisition of Aldebaran Robotics
SoftBank ventured further into the robotics field in 2013 by acquiring a controlling stake in Aldebaran Robotics, a French company. The acquisition led to the rebranding of Aldebaran Robotics as SoftBank Robotics.
September 2014: Profit Realization from Alibaba Investment
SoftBank's $20 million investment in Alibaba, made in 2000, yielded a remarkable return of $60 billion when the Chinese e-commerce giant went public in September 2014.
October 2014: Investments in OlaCabs and Snapdeal
In October 2014, SoftBank made significant investments in the Indian market, putting $210 million into OlaCabs and $627 million into Snapdeal, acquiring a 30% stake in the latter.
November 2014: Investment in Housing.com
SoftBank continued its investment spree in India by investing $100 million in Housing.com in November 2014, securing a 30% stake in the online real estate platform.
2014: Ymobile Corporation Established as SoftBank Subsidiary
Ymobile Corporation, a telecommunications company, was founded in 2014 as a subsidiary of SoftBank.
2014: Co-Development of Pepper Robot
Teams from SoftBank and SoftBank Robotics collaborated in 2014 to design and develop Pepper, a humanoid robot.
May 2015: Appointment of Nikesh Arora
Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank, announced in May 2015 the appointment of Nikesh Arora, a former Google executive, as Representative Director and President of SoftBank. Arora was previously responsible for leading SoftBank's investment arm.
June 2015: Increased Stake in Supercell and Investment in Coupang
SoftBank furthered its investment in Supercell in June 2015, acquiring an additional 22.7% stake, increasing its total ownership to 73.2%. This made SoftBank the sole external shareholder of the mobile game developer. In the same month, SoftBank announced a US$1 billion investment in the South Korean e-commerce platform Coupang as part of its global expansion strategy.
July 2015: SoftBank Merges Subsidiaries into SoftBank Mobile
In July 2015, SoftBank Group merged SoftBank BB Corp., SoftBank Telecom Corp., and Ymobile Corporation into SoftBank Mobile. This move reflected the company's expanded fixed-line and ISP operations.
July 2015: Renaming of SoftBank Corp and SoftBank Mobile
SoftBank Corp underwent a name change in July 2015, becoming SoftBank Group Corp. Concurrently, SoftBank Mobile was renamed to SoftBank Corp, assuming the previous name of the parent company.
2015: SoftBank Offers Baby Bonus to Employees
In 2015, SoftBank implemented a unique initiative to support its employees, offering a baby bonus for those having children. The payments, ranging from US$400 to US$40,000, aimed to address Japan's declining birth rate.
2015: Increased Stake in SoftBank Robotics
SoftBank reinforced its commitment to robotics in 2015 by increasing its stake in SoftBank Robotics to 95%.
February 2016: Share Repurchase Announcement
In a move aimed at bolstering investor confidence, SoftBank announced a record share repurchase program in February 2016, aiming to buy back 14.2% of its shares, valued at $4.4 billion.
March 2016: Sale of Alibaba Group Shares
SoftBank announced in March 2016 its decision to sell shares worth $7.9 billion from its holdings in Alibaba Group.
June 2016: Divestment of Supercell and GungHo Online Entertainment Stakes
In June 2016, SoftBank divested its 84% stake in Supercell to Tencent for a reported US$7.3 billion. The same month, Softbank agreed to sell the majority of its stake in GungHo Online Entertainment (approximately 23.47%) for about $685 million. This sale concluded Softbank's majority ownership in GungHo Online Entertainment.
June 2016: Nikesh Arora Steps Down
In June 2016, Nikesh Arora stepped down amidst pressure from investors. Board member Ron Fisher and Baer Capital Partners founder Alok Sama took over Arora's overseas investment duties. This marked a significant leadership change in the company.
September 2016: Acquisition of Arm Holdings Completed
On 5 September 2016, SoftBank Group completed its acquisition of British chip designer Arm Holdings for over US$32 billion. This was the largest deal in the company's history at that time.
December 2016: Investment Announcement After Meeting Trump
On 6 December 2016, after a meeting with then President-elect Donald Trump, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced the company would invest US$50 billion in the United States to create 50,000 new jobs.
January 2017: Potential Investment in WeWork
On 30 January 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported that SoftBank was considering investing over $1 billion in shared-office space company WeWork. This could be one of the first deals from its new $100 billion technology fund.
February 2017: Multiple Investments Announced
In February 2017, SoftBank announced several significant investments, including a $3.3 billion deal to buy Fortress Investment Group LLC and a $500 million funding round for Social Finance Inc. led by Silver Lake.
March 2017: Investment in Didi Chuxing
On 28 March 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported that SoftBank was planning to invest $6 billion in Didi Chuxing to help the ride-hailing firm expand its self-driving car technologies. Most of the funds would come from SoftBank's $100 billion Vision Fund.
May 2017: Investment in Paytm
On 18 May 2017, SoftBank made its largest investment in India by investing $1.4 billion in Paytm. Around this time, SoftBank was also involved in discussions for a potential takeover of Snapdeal by Flipkart.
May 2017: Creation of SoftBank Vision Fund
On 27 May 2017, SoftBank and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) partnered to create the SoftBank Vision Fund, the world's largest private equity fund with $93 billion in capital. SoftBank contributed $28 billion, with significant investments from other major companies.
June 2017: Acquisition of Boston Dynamics
On 8 June 2017, Alphabet Inc. announced the sale of the robotics company Boston Dynamics to SoftBank Group. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
August 2017: Investment in Flipkart
On 10 August 2017, SoftBank invested $2.5 billion in the Indian e-commerce platform Flipkart, marking another significant investment in the region.
August 2017: Investment in WeWork
On 25 August 2017, SoftBank finalized a $4.4 billion investment in WeWork, significantly boosting its stake in the shared-office space company.
October 2017: Collaboration for Neom City
On 24 October 2017, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announced a collaboration with Saudi Arabia to develop Neom, a high-tech business and industrial city.
November 2017: Investment in Uber
On 14 November 2017, SoftBank agreed to invest $10 billion into Uber. This was part of a larger deal finalized in December, making SoftBank Uber's largest shareholder.
December 2017: SoftBank-Led Consortium Invests in Uber
On 29 December 2017, it was reported that a SoftBank-led consortium, including Dragoneer, Tencent, TPG, and Sequoia, had invested $9 billion into Uber. The deal, closing in January 2018, made SoftBank Uber's largest shareholder with a 15 percent stake.
2017: SoftBank Sponsors America's Cup Team
Venturing into the world of competitive sailing, SoftBank sponsored a team named SoftBank Team Japan for the 2017 America's Cup, held in Bermuda. The team comprised members from diverse backgrounds, showcasing SoftBank's global outlook.
2017: SoftBank Sponsors Japanese National Basketball Team
SoftBank extended its sports sponsorship in 2017, becoming the official jersey sponsor of the Japanese national basketball team for the Asian Basketball Championship in Lebanon.
2017: SoftBank Launches Vision Fund
SoftBank established the Vision Fund in 2017, focusing on investments in emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and the Internet of Things. The fund aimed to create a portfolio of 125 AI companies and revolutionize various sectors.
2017: Forbes Global 2000 Ranking
SoftBank secured the 36th position on the 2017 Forbes Global 2000 list, solidifying its standing as a major player in the global business landscape.
January 2018: Investment in Auto1
On 14 January 2018, SoftBank's Vision Fund announced a $560 million investment in the German used-car sales portal Auto1.
March 2018: Investment in DoorDash
On 1 March 2018, SoftBank's Vision Fund led a $535 million investment in the food delivery service DoorDash.
May 2018: Walmart Buys Flipkart
In May 2018, during an earnings presentation, Masayoshi Son revealed that Walmart had reached a deal to buy Flipkart.
September 2018: Solar Power Project Put on Hold
In September 2018, Saudi government officials announced that a planned $200 billion project with SoftBank to build the world's largest solar power generation project would be put on hold.
September 2018: Investment in Opendoor
On 27 September 2018, SoftBank announced a $400 million investment in the home-selling startup Opendoor.
November 2018: SoftBank Corp. IPO Announcement
In November 2018, SoftBank announced it would make an IPO of SoftBank Corp., the telecommunications operator, with shares priced at $13.22 each. The total value would reach $21.15 billion, making it the second-largest IPO ever.
December 2018: Investment in Grab
In December 2018, SoftBank announced its intention to invest $1 billion in the ride-hailing startup Grab. Some sources estimated the total investment could reach $1.5 billion.
December 2018: Investment in ParkJockey
In December 2018, SoftBank invested in ParkJockey, a startup focused on monetizing parking lots. The investment round valued ParkJockey at $1 billion.
2018: SoftBank Ventures Asia Launches China Venture Fund
In 2018, SoftBank Ventures Asia launched the "China Venture Fund I," a $300 million fund aimed at supporting Chinese startups. This was followed by the "SoftBank Acceleration Fund" the next year, also with $300 million in funding, highlighting the company's growing interest in the Chinese market.
July 2019: Announcement of Vision Fund 2
In July 2019, SoftBank announced the creation of Vision Fund 2, focusing on AI-based technology. The fund aimed to invest approximately $108 billion, including $38 billion from SoftBank's own funds. Unlike the first fund, it excluded participation from the Saudi Arabian government.
September 2019: WeWork IPO Cancellation
In September 2019, WeWork's planned IPO was canceled, highlighting significant financial and operational challenges within the company.
September 25, 2019: Launch of Whiz Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
On 25 September 2019, SoftBank Robotics launched the Whiz robotic vacuum cleaner in Singapore, marking the company's entry into the consumer robotics market.
November 2019: Line Corp. and Z Holdings Merger Announcement
In November 2019, it was announced that Line Corp. and Z Holdings would be merged into a new subsidiary under Naver Corporation and SoftBank Group. The closing of the deal was delayed until March 2021 due to COVID-19.
December 2019: Sale of Interest in Wag
In December 2019, SoftBank sold its interest in the dog-walking startup Wag at a loss. Additionally, Tadashi Yanai, CEO of Fast Retailing and Japan's richest man at the time, left SoftBank's board after 18 years.
2019: SoftBank Continues Basketball Sponsorship at FIBA World Cup
SoftBank's support for Japanese basketball continued in 2019 as the official jersey sponsor of the national team during the FIBA World Cup.
January 2020: Startup Layoffs
In January 2020, multiple startups funded by SoftBank, including Getaround, Oyo, Rappi, Katerra, and Zume, began cutting their staff.
February 2020: Elliott Management Buys Stake
In February 2020, Elliott Management bought a $2.5 billion stake in SoftBank and pushed for restructuring and more transparency, especially concerning its Vision Fund. As a result, plans for a second Vision Fund were postponed.
February 2020: Vision Fund 2 Capital Reduction
In February 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported that Vision Fund 2 would end up with less than half of its initially planned capital, reflecting financial and strategic adjustments.
March 2020: Emergency Asset Sale
In March 2020, SoftBank announced a ¥4.5tn ($41bn) emergency asset sale to fund a share buyback and debt reduction. This move aimed to stabilize the company’s share price amidst the pandemic, leading to a nearly 19% increase in share value.
April 1, 2020: Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US Merge
On April 1, 2020, the merger of Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US, primarily owned by Deutsche Telekom, concluded. The resulting entity, T-Mobile, became the parent company, with Softbank holding 24% of the shares.
May 2020: Jack Ma Resigns from SoftBank Board
In May 2020, Jack Ma, co-founder and former CEO of Alibaba, resigned from SoftBank's board of directors.
July 2020: SoftBank Explores Sale or IPO of Arm Holdings
In July 2020, SoftBank revealed its consideration of selling or taking public its subsidiary, British chip designer Arm Holdings. This decision followed a dispute over the control of Arm's Chinese subsidiary, in which SoftBank lacked majority ownership.
September 13, 2020: Nvidia Announces Plan to Acquire ARM
On September 13, 2020, Nvidia, an American chip design company, declared its intention to purchase ARM from SoftBank, subject to regulatory clearance, for US $40 billion. However, the deal eventually fell through due to regulatory obstacles.
September 2020: SoftBank Vision Fund 2 Invests in Biofourmis
SoftBank Vision Fund 2 spearheaded a $100 million Series C funding round for Biofourmis in September 2020.
December 2020: Hyundai Acquires Majority Stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank
Hyundai Motor Group acquired an 80% stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank for roughly $880 million in December 2020, leaving SoftBank with approximately 20% ownership through an affiliate.
2020: SoftBank Hawks Secure Seventh Championship
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks continued their winning streak, securing their seventh Japan Series championship in 2020, solidifying their position as a dominant force in Japanese baseball.
January 2021: SoftBank Sells $2 Billion in Uber Shares
In January 2021, SoftBank divested $2 billion worth of shares in Uber Technologies through its affiliate, SB Cayman.
March 2021: SoftBank Corporation Subscriber Count
As of March 2021, SoftBank Corporation, the spun-out affiliate and former flagship business, reached 45.621 million wireless subscribers, making it the third-largest wireless carrier in Japan.
March 2021: SoftBank Ventures Asia (SBVA) Launches \"Future Innovation Fund,\" Focusing on AI Start-Ups
In March 2021, SoftBank Ventures Asia (SBVA) created a $160 million \"future innovation fund\" to invest in AI start-ups. The fund made investments in companies such as VoyagerX, Upstage AI, and MarqVision, focusing on areas like AI software development, AI solutions, and AI-powered IP protection.
March 2021: SoftBank Records Record Profit Driven by Vision Fund
SoftBank reported a record $36.99 billion profit from its Vision Fund unit and public market investments, including Coupang's successful IPO, in March 2021. This resulted in a net profit of $45.88 billion for SoftBank Group, setting a new record for the highest annual profit ever recorded by a Japanese company.
April 2021: SoftBank to Acquire Stake in AutoStore
Softbank announced its intention to acquire a 40% stake in AutoStore for $2.8 billion in April 2021.
May 2021: SoftBank Sells SB Energy India to Adani Green Energy
Softbank revealed in May 2021 its agreement to sell SB Energy India to Adani Green Energy at a valuation of $3.5 billion. This divestiture was widely seen as a strategic shift for SoftBank, indicating a move away from solar energy investments and towards companies focused on artificial intelligence.
July 2021: SoftBank Invests $870 Million in Yanolja
In July 2021, Softbank declared a $870 million investment in Yanolja, a Korean hotel booking platform.
July 2021: SoftBank Acquires Yahoo Japan Brand
Softbank announced in July 2021 that it would purchase the Yahoo Japan brand from Verizon Communications for $1.6 billion.
August 2021: Masayoshi Son to Make Personal Investments Alongside Vision Fund 2
In August 2021, Masayoshi Son, CEO of SoftBank, shared his plans to start making personal investments in parallel with Softbank Group's Vision Fund 2.
October 2021: SoftBank Ventures Asia Expands Investment Portfolio
By October 2021, SoftBank Ventures Asia (SBVA), the global early-stage venture capital arm of SoftBank Group, had invested in over 250 companies across 10 countries, managing a fund of US$1.3 billion. The firm focused on early-stage ICT investments, particularly in areas like AI, IoT, and robotics.
July 2022: SoftBank Exits Opendoor
In July 2022, Softbank exited its investment in Opendoor during the same quarter when it sold its entire Uber holdings.
August 2022: SoftBank Sells Entire Uber Holdings; Exits Opendoor; Vision Fund Faces Challenges
In August 2022, Softbank disclosed the sale of its complete Uber holdings between April and July 2022, alongside its exit from Opendoor during the same quarter. This period marked a challenging time for Softbank's venture capital endeavors, with its venture firm facing significant struggles and nearing collapse. The performance of its large venture vehicles fell short of expectations, ranking among the lowest in the asset class. Consequently, several of Masayoshi Son's close associates involved in the venture capital efforts left the company.
February 2023: Toyota Tsusho Acquires Controlling Interest in SB Energy
Toyota Tsusho announced in February 2023 its acquisition of a controlling stake in SB Energy. Following the acquisition, SB Energy became a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho, alongside its existing subsidiary, Eurus Energy.
April 2023: SoftBank Sells SoftBank Ventures Asia Corp.
In April 2023, SoftBank Group Corp. announced the sale of its Korea-based early-stage venture capital arm, SoftBank Ventures Asia Corp., to a Singapore-based company led by Masayoshi Son's youngest brother. This move followed billions of dollars in losses incurred by SoftBank from unsuccessful startup investments.
April 2023: SoftBank Group Sells SoftBank Ventures Asia to The Edgeof Amidst Losses and Governance Concerns
In April 2023, SoftBank Group, led by Masayoshi Son, decided to sell its early-stage venture capital arm, SoftBank Ventures Asia, to The Edgeof, a newly established investment firm headed by Son's younger brother, Taizo Son. This move came as SoftBank Group faced significant financial losses from various global investments. The sale raised concerns regarding corporate governance practices.
May 2023: SoftBank Vision Fund Reports Record Losses; SoftBank Group Divests Fortress Investment Group
In May 2023, SoftBank Group revealed a 70% year-over-year increase in losses from its SoftBank Vision Fund, reaching a record $32 billion. Adding to its asset divestitures, SoftBank Group also sold its stake in Fortress Investment Group to Mubadala and Fortress's management.
August 2023: SoftBank's Arm Files for IPO
SoftBank Group's Arm filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq on August 21, 2023. A few days prior, SoftBank repurchased a 25% stake in Arm from Vision Fund for approximately $16 billion, valuing Arm at over $64 billion.
September 2023: Arm Goes Public, Raising $4.87 Billion
Arm successfully went public on September 14, 2023, raising $4.87 billion at a valuation of $54.5 billion. Following the offering, SoftBank retained a 90.6% ownership stake in the company.
December 2023: SoftBank Corp Acquires Controlling Stake in Cubic Telecom
In December 2023, SoftBank Corp, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp specializing in telecommunications and networking, purchased a controlling interest in Cubic Telecom, an Irish technology company, for $513 million. This deal resulted in a significant payout for Cubic Telecom's founders and private investors.
2023: SoftBank's Vision Fund Faces Scrutiny
By 2023, the performance of SoftBank's Vision Fund came under scrutiny, with concerns raised about its large, often unprofitable investments. This raised questions about the fund's overall strategy and long-term viability.
June 27, 2024: SoftBank Invests in AI Search Startup Perplexity AI
On June 27, 2024, SoftBank invested in Perplexity AI, an AI search startup, valuing the company at $3 billion. This investment reflects SoftBank's ongoing support for innovative companies specializing in artificial intelligence, recognizing Perplexity AI's potential within the technology sector.