SoftBank Group Corp. will make investments in 14 startups run by underrepresented founders, its Vision Fund chief Rajeev Misra has said.
The investments are part of the conglomerate’s Emerge accelerator program, which offers mentoring to entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups.
For the coming year, SoftBank is extending the program to Europe, and expanding it to two cohorts instead of one, Misra said, adding that the number could eventually grow to three. Misra spoke at Emerge’s online event Thursday where founders pitched investors, showcasing the first group of companies completing the program.