SoftBank Group Corp. is scrapping an agreement to spend $3 billion (¥322 billion) to buy WeWork stock from former CEO Adam Neumann and other shareholders, despite threats of legal action from some members of the company’s board. SoftBank had agreed to buy the shares from ...
WeWork’s imperiled $3 billion stock sale would mostly benefit five investors
In a deal that’s currently at risk of falling apart, a handful of investors would be the main beneficiaries of SoftBank Group Corp.’s plan to buy $3 billion of WeWork stock, according to a person familiar with the matter. As part of the agreement, scheduled ...
SoftBank’s big bet on sharing economy backfires with coronavirus
Masayoshi Son has been among the most fervent believers in the sharing economy, investing billions in startups that help people split the use of cars, rooms and offices. But as the coronavirus curtails unnecessary human interaction, it’s hammering such businesses and rattling the foundations of ...
WeWork directors prepare to take on SoftBank if it abandons rescue deal
Two independent WeWork directors are weighing all options, including legal action, after SoftBank Group Corp. advised the company's shareholders it may renege on part of its rescue package. "The Special Committee of the WeWork Board of Directors remains committed to taking all necessary actions to ...
SoftBank chief welcomes activist investor Singer as Vision Fund logs loss
SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son opened the door to making at least some of the changes championed by activist investor Paul Singer, after the company reported a second quarter of losses from its startup investing. Son called Singer's Elliott Management Corp. an "important partner" ...
WeWork bailout stalls as Japan banks balk at lending Softbank $3 billion
SoftBank Group Corp.'s talks to secure $3 billion (about ¥328 billion) from the nation's three biggest banks have stalled as the lenders have hit internal lending limits to the firm, two people said, complicating a $9.5 billion rescue package for WeWork. The technology conglomerate is ...
SoftBank will have 'last laugh' on WeWork deal, analyst predicts
SoftBank Group Corp.'s massive investment in WeWork triggered a multibillion-dollar write-down and a rare apology from founder Masayoshi Son. But one analyst argues the deal is likely to work in the end and SoftBank will have the "last laugh." Chris Lane of Sanford C. Bernstein ...
SoftBank's new tech fund to fall shy of target, Telegraph reports
SoftBank Group Corp. has scaled back ambitions for its second Vision Fund after the failure of big bets, including WeWork, by its first fund rattled partners such as Saudi Arabia, according to the Sunday Telegraph. The second Vision Fund is expected to fall significantly short ...
SoftBank's startup bookkeeping draws scrutiny after WeWork fiasco
In early 2018, the founders of Chinese artificial intelligence startup SenseTime Group Ltd. flew to Tokyo to see billionaire investor Masayoshi Son. As they entered the offices, Chief Executive Officer Xu Li was hoping to persuade the head of SoftBank Group Corp. to invest ...
WeWork's escape plan is buried in the books at its Tokyo office
Masayoshi Son stood on stage in Tokyo earlier this month and told skeptical SoftBank Group Corp. investors that making WeWork Cos. profitable is not only possible, but will be "simple." Driving that confidence is WeWork's Japanese unit, which is already in the black and ...
