Business / Corporate Oct 15, 2020

SoftBank to combine frenzy of SPACs with CEO’s eccentric vision

For Masayoshi Son, creating such a vehicle may give him a new way to invest in nascent companies while tapping the surging public markets for money.

Business / Corporate Sep 8, 2020

SoftBank’s big options bet tests investors' faith in Masayoshi Son

The firm’s position has injected a jolt of uncertainty into the market, with questions about exposure and plans for future trading.

Business / Corporate Sep 4, 2020

SoftBank reportedly considering bid for TikTok in India

TikTok is considering selling its operations in several countries after governments shut out the app, citing fears that user data was passing into the hands of China.

Business / Corporate Jul 14, 2020

SoftBank exploring sale or IPO of chip company Arm, sources say

If it pursues a listing, the chip-design company could go public as soon as next year, accelerating a timeline laid out by SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son in 2018.

Business / Corporate May 28, 2020

Masayoshi Son's SoftBank strained by losses and infighting at the top

In early March, before the coronavirus pandemic triggered a global economic lockdown, SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son paid tribute to Rajeev Misra, the man who runs his $100 billion technology investment fund. Wearing a $70 (¥7,500) Uniqlo down jacket, the Japanese billionaire put ...

Business / Corporate May 28, 2020

SoftBank’s Vision Fund plans to cut 10% of staff as startups sour

As the value of its startups declines, the best of the giant fund's 500-strong staff might start looking for other jobs.

Business / Corporate Oct 26, 2019

SoftBank eyeing burgers and digital pharmacy for second Vision Fund

SoftBank Group Corp. is teeing up investments for the successor to its gargantuan Vision Fund. It's in talks to back a pharmaceutical delivery startup, a company focused on robotic burger-making and a maker of lab-grown meat, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Vision ...

Business / Corporate Sep 30, 2019

SoftBank plans to name former Sprint boss to help fix WeWork

SoftBank Group Corp. is tapping Marcelo Claure to help turn around WeWork after ousting co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Adam Neumann from the corner office last week. Masayoshi Son, the head of SoftBank, WeWork's largest investor, has asked the former chief executive officer of Sprint ...

Business / Corporate Sep 17, 2019

SoftBank's biggest backers rethink role in next Vision Fund after bet on WeWork sours

The biggest backers of SoftBank Group Corp.'s gargantuan Vision Fund are reconsidering how much to commit to its next investment vehicle as an oversized bet on flexible workspace provider WeWork sours. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which contributed $45 billion to the $100 billion Vision ...