SoftBank

SoftBank Group Corp. is a Japanese multinational investment holding company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, with a primary focus on investment management. The company primarily invests in technology-related ventures that provide goods and services across various markets and industries, ranging from the internet to automation. At its inception, SoftBank's Vision Fund became the world's largest technology-focused venture capital fund, boasting over $100 billion in capital, with sovereign wealth funds from Middle Eastern countries among its investors.

SoftBank is notable for its controversial founder and largest shareholder, Masayoshi Son. The company's investments cover a wide spectrum of industries, including robotics, artificial intelligence, software, logistics, transportation, biotechnology, real estate, hospitality, telecommunications, e-commerce, finance, media, and marketing. Some of its most internationally recognized holdings include stakes in companies like Arm (semiconductors), Alibaba (e-commerce), OYO Rooms (hospitality), WeWork (coworking), and Deutsche Telekom (telecommunications). Additionally, SoftBank Corporation, a spun-out affiliate and former flagship business, ranks as the third-largest wireless carrier in Japan.

Despite its successes, SoftBank has faced criticism for some poor investment decisions that resulted in significant losses throughout its history. Nevertheless, the company has consistently ranked among the world's largest public companies, earning the 36th spot on the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2017 and holding the position of the second-largest publicly traded company in Japan, second only to Toyota.

SoftBank's logo is inspired by the flag of the Kaientai, a naval trading company founded in 1865 during the Tokugawa shogunate by Sakamoto Ryma. Although SoftBank is not formally affiliated with any traditional keiretsu (business group), it maintains close ties with Mizuho Financial Group, its primary lender.

The history of SoftBank is marked by its transformation from a software distributor to a global technology conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of investments. Here is an overview of key milestones in SoftBank's history:

Founding and Early Years (1981-1990s): SoftBank was founded in September 1981 by Masayoshi Son. Initially, the company focused on distributing software products. In the early 1990s, SoftBank expanded its operations and began investing in various technology-related ventures.

Internet Boom (Late 1990s): SoftBank capitalized on the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. It made several high-profile investments in internet companies, including Yahoo!, E*TRADE, and Alibaba. The investment in Alibaba, led by Jack Ma, proved to be particularly lucrative in the years to come.

IPO of SoftBank Mobile (2006): In 2006, SoftBank went public and raised significant capital through the initial public offering (IPO) of its mobile division, SoftBank Mobile (now SoftBank Corporation). This move allowed the company to fund further investments and expansion.

Acquisition of Vodafone Japan (2006): SoftBank made a strategic move in 2006 by acquiring Vodafone Japan, a major telecommunications company. This acquisition significantly expanded SoftBank's presence in the Japanese telecommunications market.

Launch of the Vision Fund (2017): In 2017, SoftBank launched the Vision Fund, a massive technology-focused venture capital fund with over $100 billion in capital. The Vision Fund aimed to invest in cutting-edge technology companies around the world, solidifying SoftBank's position as a global player in the technology investment space.

Investments and Acquisitions (2010s): Throughout the 2010s, SoftBank continued to make notable investments and acquisitions. Some of these included investments in ride-sharing companies like Uber and Didi Chuxing, as well as the acquisition of ARM Holdings, a semiconductor design company.

WeWork and Controversies (2019): https://www.ft.com/content/ba8b07ee-5aaa-4b07-b4e0-aefbc648e281became highly controversial in 2019 when the co-working company faced financial difficulties and scrutiny. SoftBank's planned bailout and takeover of WeWork garnered significant media attention.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond: The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on SoftBank's investments and portfolio companies. The company continued to navigate the challenges of its diverse holdings and explore new opportunities in emerging technologies.

SoftBank's history is characterized by its founder Masayoshi Son's ambitious vision and willingness to take risks in the technology sector. The company has played a pivotal role in shaping the global technology landscape through its investments and acquisitions. While it has experienced both successes and setbacks, SoftBank remains a prominent player in the world of technology and investment. Please note that this history is based on information available up to my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021, and there may have been developments or changes since then.

SoftBank's mission is to "strive to advance the information revolution" through its investments and innovations. The company aims to harness the power of technology to create a more connected and intelligent world. Its mission revolves around identifying and supporting groundbreaking technologies and businesses that have the potential to transform industries and improve people's lives.

SoftBank's vision is to be a global technology leader and investment powerhouse. The company seeks to drive technological advancements, foster innovation, and create value for its stakeholders by identifying and investing in transformative and disruptive technologies and businesses worldwide.

SoftBank primarily operates as an investment holding company and does not offer traditional products or services to consumers in the same way as many other companies do. Instead, its main focus is on investment management and supporting a diverse portfolio of technology-related ventures and businesses. SoftBank's investments span a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, real estate, and more. These investments and portfolio companies provide various products and services to customers across the globe, but SoftBank itself does not directly provide specific products or services to consumers.