Editing SoftBank Group (section)

==History==
===Founding and early years===
SoftBank was founded in September 1981 as SOFTBANK Corp by then-24-year-old [[Masayoshi Son]], initially as a software distributor. The company entered the publishing business in May 1982 with the launches of the Oh! PC and Oh! MZ magazines, about [[NEC]] and [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] computers respectively.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 January 1992 |title=Japanese-Style Entrepreneurship: An Interview with Softbank'S CEO, Masayoshi Son |journal=Harvard Business Review |url=https://hbr.org/1992/01/japanese-style-entrepreneurship-an-interview-with-softbanks-ceo-masayoshi-son|last1=Webber |first1=Alan M. }}</ref> Oh!PC had a circulation of 140,000 copies by 1989.<ref name="technobuffalo.com">{{Cite web |date=27 October 2013 |title=Japan's Big Three Carriers Explained - SoftBank |url=https://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/10/27/japans-big-three-carriers-explained-softbank/}}</ref> It would go on to become Japan's largest publisher of computer and technology magazines and trade shows.

In 1994, the company went [[public]], valued at $3 billion.<ref name="technobuffalo.com" /> In September 1995, SoftBank agreed to purchase US-based [[Ziff Davis]] publishing for $2.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Bloomberg Business News |title=Softbank Agrees to Buy Ziff-Davis PC Magazine Group |newspaper=The New York Times |date=10 November 1995 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/10/business/softbank-agrees-to-buy-ziff-davis-pc-magazine-group.html}}</ref>

===1995–2009 expansion===
In the 1990s, Son made large investments in [[Internet services]] and the so-called [[new economy]] in general. SoftBank bought [[COMDEX]] from The Interface Group on 1 April 1995 for $800 million and ZDI on 29 February 1996.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Andrew |last=Pollack |date=1995-02-19 |title=A Japanese Gambler Hits the Jackpot With Softbank |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/19/business/a-japanese-gambler-hits-the-jackpot-with-softbank.html |access-date=2017-12-10 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Caulfield |first=Brian |date=1 September 2003 |title=Worst in Show How Key3Media, the company behind the big tech trade show Comdex, went bankrupt |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2003/09/01/348383/index.htm |access-date=2017-12-10 |website=CNN Money}}</ref> SoftBank sold COMDEX to Key3Media, a spin-off of [[Ziff Davis]], in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Business News – Latest Headlines on CNN Business - CNN |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/business2/business2_archive/2003/09/01/348383/index.htm |website=CNN}}</ref> In 1996, SoftBank formed a [[joint venture]] with American internet company [[Yahoo!]], creating [[Yahoo! Japan]] (now [[LY Corporation]]), which would become a dominant site in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 1999 |title=Mr. Japan.com How Son Captured Japan's Internet Economy |url=https://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1999/08/16/264312/index.htm |website=money.cnn.com}}</ref>

In another highly publicized investment, SoftBank bought 80% of memory manufacturers [[Kingston Technology]] in 1996. When the owners-founders (John Tu and David Sun) announced plans to distribute $100,000,000 of the $1.5B windfall to Kingston employees, it created a very high-profile media stir that lasted well through the 1996 Christmas season; it was on all US networks, as well as international media. A few years later, in 1999, after the market for memory softened substantially, SoftBank sold the company back at a loss to the original owners for about a third of the original price.<ref>{{cite web |date=1999-07-15 |title=2 Founders to Buy Back Kingston Stake From Softbank |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-15-fi-56161-story.html |access-date=2022-09-11 |website=Los Angeles Times }}</ref>

In October 1999, SoftBank became a [[holding company]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://group.softbank/philosophy/history|title=ソフトバンクグループの歩み|website=ソフトバンクグループ株式会社}}</ref> In 2000, SoftBank made its most successful investment{{snd}}$20 million to a then-fledgling Chinese Internet venture called [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sender |first1=Henny |last2=Ling |first2=Connie |date=2000-01-18 |title=Softbank to Invest $20 Million In Hong Kong's Alibaba.com |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB948202996877749173 |access-date=2017-12-11 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> This investment turned into $60 billion when Alibaba went public in September 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Galani |first=Una |title=Valuing SoftBank in Alibaba's Aftermath |language=en |work=DealBook |date=22 September 2014 |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/09/22/valuing-softbank-in-alibabas-aftermath/ |access-date=2017-10-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pfanner |first=Eric |date=2014-09-19 |title=SoftBank's Alibaba Alchemy: How to Turn $20 Million Into $50 Billion |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2014/09/19/softbanks-alibaba-alchemy-how-to-turn-20-million-into-50-billion/ |access-date=2017-12-11 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2000, SoftBank Ventures Asia was founded under the leadership of Masayoshi Son to focus on investment in Korean-based Internet companies.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Ji-young|first=Sohn|date=2019-01-28|title=[Herald Interview] Rebranded SoftBank Ventures Asia to form new fund for AI startups in Asia|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190128000527|access-date=2021-08-25|website=The Korea Herald|language=en}}</ref>[[File:SoftBank Hankyu-Ibaraki.JPG|thumb|250px|right|SoftBank store in [[Ibaraki, Osaka|Ibaraki]], [[Osaka]], Japan]]
On 28 January 2005, SoftBank became the owner of the [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks]], a [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] team. On 17 March 2006, SoftBank announced its agreement to buy [[Vodafone Japan]], giving it a stake in Japan's $78 billion mobile markets. In April 2006, SoftBank purchased a 23% stake in [[Betfair]], an Internet betting exchange. In August 2006, SoftBank sold all its shares of [[SBI Group]] to a subsidiary of SBI's holding company, making SBI independent. On 1 October 2006, Vodafone Japan changed its corporate name and service brand name to "SoftBank Mobile" and "SoftBank" respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-07-13 |script-title=ja:ボーダフォン、メールのドメイン名も「ソフトバンク」へ──10月1日から |url=http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/articles/0607/13/news050.html |access-date=2013-07-02 |publisher=ITmedia Mobile |language=Japanese}}</ref>

On 28 January 2008, it was announced that SoftBank and [[Tiffany & Co.]] collaborated in making a limited 10 model-only phone. This phone contains more than 400 platinum diamonds, totaling more than 20 carats. The cost is said to be more than 100,000,000 yen.<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=ja:上戸彩：超高価ケータイ「ないしょにしてね」 |language=Japanese |work=Sports Nippon |url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/geinou/news/20080129spn00m200016000c.html |access-date=2008-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130125848/http://mainichi.jp/enta/geinou/news/20080129spn00m200016000c.html |archive-date=2008-01-30}}</ref>
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===2010–2016 acquisitions===
On 3 February 2010, SoftBank acquired 13.7% in [[Ustream]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Softbank profit soars; buys stake in Ustream |date=3 February 2010 |url=http://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/softbank-profit-soars-buys-stake-in-ustream |work=Japan Today}}</ref> On 1 October 2010, [[Ayumi Hamasaki]] became the commercial spokesperson.<ref>[https://www.fbcoverup.com/docs/library/2018-10-15-Softbank-Group-Wikipedia-accessed-Oct-15-2018.pdf Softbank-Group-Wikipedia-accessed]. Fbcoverup</ref>

On 3 October 2012, the takeover of competitor [[eAccess]] was announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Alexis |date=2012-10-03 |title=Softbank to acquire competitor eAccess, expand LTE network by 50 percent |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012/10/03/softbank-buys-eaccess-expand-lte-network/ |access-date=2013-07-02 |publisher=Engadget}}</ref> On 1 July 2013, SoftBank announced that Willcom was a wholly-owned subsidiary, after the termination of rehabilitation proceedings. eAccess was merged with Willcom, which resulted in a new subsidiary and brand from Yahoo! Japan, [[Ymobile Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-05-19 |title=Yahoo Japan drops $3.2 billion plan to buy eAccess from SoftBank |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yahoo-japan-softbank-eaccess-idUSBREA4I03620140519 |access-date=2020-11-10}}</ref>

On 15 October 2012, SoftBank announced plans to take control of American [[Sprint Corporation|Sprint Nextel]] by purchasing a 70% stake for $20 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Softbank to Buy 70 Percent Stake in Sprint: Sources |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/10/15/softbank-to-buy-70-percent-stake-in-sprint-sources.html |access-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> On 6 July 2013, the United States [[Federal Communications Commission]] approved SoftBank's acquisition for $22.2 billion for a 78% ownership interest in Sprint.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Soni |first=Phalguni |title=The latest word in telecom |url=http://marketrealist.com/2014/04/latest-word-telecom-can-softbank-swing-t-mobile-deal/ |access-date=21 April 2014 |website=Market Realist |date=21 April 2014 |publisher=Market Realist, Inc.}}</ref> On 6 August 2013, SoftBank bought 2% more shares of Sprint Corporation, increasing its ownership stake to 80%.

[[File:Softbank in Sendai & the decorations of Sendai Star Festival.JPG|thumb|SoftBank store in [[Sendai]], with decorations for the [[Tanabata]] ]]
In October 2013, SoftBank acquired a 51% stake in [[Supercell (video game company)|Supercell]] for a reported $2.1 billion. Later on 25 October 2014, they invested $210 million in [[OlaCabs]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 October 2014 |title=Olacabs raises $210 million from Japan's SoftBank Corp; enters b Club |work=The Times Of India |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-10-25/news/55421988_1_olacabs-bhavish-aggarwal-valoriser-consultants|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026120432/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-10-25/news/55421988_1_olacabs-bhavish-aggarwal-valoriser-consultants|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> $627 million in [[Snapdeal]] with a 30% stake in the company on 28 October 2014, and a $100 million investment in [[Housing.com]] for a 30% stake in November 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 November 2014 |title=Startup Housing.com valued at Rs 1,500 crore after SoftBank acquires 30% stake for $70 million |work=The Times Of India |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/emerging-businesses/startups/startup-housing-com-valued-at-rs-1500-crore-after-soft-bank-acquires-30-stake-for-70-million/articleshow/45197333.cms}}</ref>

In 2013, the company bought a controlling stake in French company Aldebaran Robotics, which was rebranded SoftBank Robotics. In 2014, teams from both companies co-designed [[Pepper (robot)|Pepper]], a humanoid robot. In 2015, SoftBank increased its stake to 95%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aldebaran Robotics Founder and CEO Steps Down, SoftBank Appoints New Leader |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/aldebaran-robotics-founder-and-ceo-steps-down-softbank-appoints-new-leader |website=IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News|date=23 February 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Parmy |title=Softbank's Robotics Business&nbsp;Prepares To Scale Up |website=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2018/05/30/softbank-robotics-business-pepper-boston-dynamics/#105b3f6d4b7f}}</ref>

In 2015, SoftBank acquired [[DramaFever]].<ref>{{Cite web |first=J.T. |last=Quigley |date=22 May 2015 |title=Post-{{as written|acqui|stion [sic]}}, DramaFever has more muscle to spread Asian entertainment to the West |url=https://www.techinasia.com/dramafever-post-acquisition/ |access-date=22 May 2015 |website=Tech In Asia}}</ref> In May 2015, Masayoshi Son said he would appoint [[Nikesh Arora]], a former [[Google]] executive, as [[Representative Director (Japan)|Representative Director]] and President of SoftBank. Arora had been heading SoftBank's investment arm.<ref name="WSJ">{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Alexander |date=11 May 2015 |title=SoftBank CEO Taps a Future Successor in Nikesh Arora |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-ceo-taps-a-future-successor-in-nikesh-arora-1431328037 |access-date=11 May 2015}}</ref> On 1 June 2015, SoftBank acquired an additional 22.7% stake in Supercell, increasing its total stake to 73.2% and becoming the sole external shareholder of the company.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Japan's Softbank increases controlling stake in Finnish 'Clash of Clans' maker |date=June 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-softbank-supercell/japans-softbank-increases-controlling-stake-in-finnish-clash-of-clans-maker-idUSKBN0OH23H20150601 |access-date=14 September 2020 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> In June 2015, SoftBank announced it would invest US$1 billion in the Korean e-commerce website [[Coupang]] as part of its overseas expansion plans.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ando |first=Ritsuko |date=3 June 2015 |title=SoftBank to invest $1 billion in Korean e-commerce site Coupang |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-softbank-southkorea-ecommerce-idUSKBN0OJ0GI20150603 |access-date=3 June 2015}}</ref>

In July 2015, SoftBank announced the renaming of the company from SoftBank Corp to SoftBank Group Corp. Meanwhile, SoftBank Mobile was renamed to SoftBank Corp, the now-former name of the company as a whole.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Changes of Corporate Names of SoftBank Corp. and Subsidiary - Press Releases - News - About Us - SoftBank Group |work=SoftBank Group |date=11 May 2015 |url=http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/news/press/sb/2015/20150511_05/ |access-date=7 December 2016}}</ref> On 16 February 2016, SoftBank announced they would repurchase a record 14.2% of shares, valued at $4.4bn, to boost investor confidence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 February 2016 |title=Softbank reveals record $4.4bn share buyback |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-35584328 |access-date=7 December 2016 }}</ref> On 31 March 2016, they announced they would sell shares worth $7.9 billion of their stake in Alibaba Group. On 21 June 2016, SoftBank sold its 84% stake in Supercell for a reported US$7.3 billion to [[Tencent]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 June 2016 |title=Softbank sells stake in game developer Supercell to Tencent |work=Yahoo! News |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/softbank-sells-stake-game-developer-supercell-tencent-111704022.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622211428/https://www.yahoo.com/news/softbank-sells-stake-game-developer-supercell-tencent-111704022.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 June 2016 |access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> On 3 June 2016, Softbank agreed to sell most of its stake in [[GungHo Online Entertainment]] (approximately 23.47%) for about $685 million, ending Softbank's majority ownership.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Puzzle & Dragons studio GungHo to regain majority stake from SoftBank for $685m |url=http://www.develop-online.net/news/puzzle-dragons-studio-gungho-to-regain-majority-stake-from-softbank-for-685m/0221319 |website=develop-online.net|date=7 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2016 |title=SoftBank to sell most of its stake in 'Puzzle & Dragons' maker GungHo |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/softbank-to-sell-most-of-its-stake-in-puzzle-and-dragons-maker-gungho/ |website=cnet.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=関連会社株式に係る公開買付けへの応募に関する契約の締結に関するお知らせ |url=https://group.softbank/news/press/20160606 |website=ソフトバンクグループ株式会社|date=6 June 2016 }}</ref> The offer was completed by 22 June.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tender in Tender Offer for Shares of an Associate - Press Releases - News - SoftBank Group Corp. - SoftBank Group |url=http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/news/press/sb/2016/20160621_05/ |website=softbank.jp|date=21 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Results of Tender in Tender Offer for Shares of an Associate - Press Releases - News - SoftBank Group Corp. - SoftBank Group |url=http://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/news/press/sb/2016/20160722_02/ |website=softbank.jp|date=22 July 2016 }}</ref>

In June 2016, Nikesh Arora stepped down amidst pressure from investors. Board member Ron Fisher and Baer Capital Partners founder Alok Sama undertook Arora's overseas investment duties.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Alexander |date=21 June 2016 |title=SoftBank President Nikesh Arora to Step Down |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-president-nikesh-arora-to-step-down-1466506804 |access-date=21 Jun 2016}}</ref> One month later,<ref name=softbank-fortress/> Son announced the company's largest deal ever to buy British chip designer [[Arm (company)|Arm Holdings]] for more than US$32 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Jacky |date=18 July 2016 |title=SoftBank-ARM: These Chips Don't Come Cheap |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-arm-these-chips-dont-come-cheap-1468827781 |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jack |first=Simon |date=18 July 2016 |title=ARM Holdings in £24bn Japanese takeover deal |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36822272 |access-date=7 December 2016 }}</ref> This acquisition was completed on 5 September 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=5 September 2016 |title=SoftBank acquires ARM |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/5/12798302/softbank-arm-acquisition-complete |access-date=5 September 2016 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

On 6 December 2016, after meeting with the then United States [[President-elect of the United States|President-elect]] [[Donald Trump]], chief executive [[Masayoshi Son]] announced SoftBank would be investing US$50 billion in the United States toward businesses creating 50,000 new jobs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Knutson |first=Ryan |date=6 December 2016 |title=When Billionaires Meet: $50 Billion Pledge From SoftBank to Trump |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-says-softbank-pledges-to-invest-50-billion-in-u-s-1481053732}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump: SoftBank to add $50B, 50K jobs in U.S. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/12/06/trump-softbank-invest-50b-us-create-50000-jobs/95050926/ |website=usatoday.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=13 January 2017 |title=Amazon to add 100,000 full-time jobs in U.S. by '19 |journal=USA Today |page=B1/B2}}</ref>

===2017–2018===
On 30 January 2017, the ''Wall Street Journal'' wrote that SoftBank Group was "weighing an investment of well over $1 billion in shared-office space company [[WeWork]], in what could be among the first deals from its new $100 billion technology fund."<ref>{{Citation |last1=Farrell |first1=Maureen |title=SoftBank Mulls Investment of Over $1 Billion in WeWork |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-mulls-investment-of-over-1-billion-in-wework-1485814702 |place=New York City |newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=31 January 2017 |last2=Winkler |first2=Rolfe |last3=Brown |first3=Eliot|date=31 January 2017 }}</ref> On 20 March, SoftBank bought a $300m stake in WeWork.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=Masayoshi Son goes on a $100bn shopping spree |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21719842-risk-one-japans-greatest-tech-tycoons-his-messianic-streak-masayoshi-son-goes |access-date=2017-12-11 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> On 14 February 2017, SoftBank Group agreed to buy [[Fortress Investment Group|Fortress Investment Group LLC]] for $3.3 billion.<ref name="softbank-fortress">{{Citation |last1=Hoffman |first1=Liz |title=SoftBank to Buy Fortress Investment Group for $3.3 Billion |date=14 February 2017 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |last2=Jenny |first2=Strasburg |last3=Sarah |first3=Krouse}}</ref> In February 2017, it was announced that [[SoFi|Social Finance Inc.]] was close to raising $500 million from an investor group led by [[Silver Lake Partners|Silver Lake]], including Softbank.<ref name="Rudegeair">{{Citation |last=Rudegeair |first=Peter |title=Silver Lake, Softbank to Join New $500 Million Investment in Lender SoFi |date=16 February 2017 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/silver-lake-softbank-to-join-new-500-million-investment-in-lender-sofi-1487247369?tesla=y |place=New York City |publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=17 February 2017}}</ref> On 28 March 2017, the ''Wall Street Journal'' reported that SoftBank Group Corporation had approached [[Didi Chuxing|Didi Chuxing Technology Co.]] about investing $6 billion to help the ride-hailing firm expand in [[self-driving car]] technologies, with the bulk of the money to come from SoftBank's planned $100 billion Vision Fund.<ref name="nyt-didi">{{Cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Kane |last2=Negishi |first2=Mayumi |date=28 March 2017 |title=SoftBank Considers $6 Billion Investment in China Ride-Hailing Firm Didi |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |location=New York |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-talks-to-chinas-uber-rival-didi-about-6-billion-investment-1490689527?tesla=y |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref>

On 18 May 2017, it was reported that Softbank had completed its single largest investment in India to date, investing $1.4 billion in [[Paytm]]. At the time, Softbank was also working on a takeover of [[Snapdeal]] by [[Flipkart]].<ref name="ft-patym-new">{{Cite news |last=Mundy |first=Simon |date=18 May 2017 |title=India's Paytm wins $1.4bn Softbank investment |work=[[Financial Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.ft.com/content/2175189b-d958-3ce6-b0ff-e773fe046fe4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/2175189b-d958-3ce6-b0ff-e773fe046fe4 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref> On 10 August 2017, Softbank invested $2.5 billion in Flipkart.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rai |first=Saritha |title=SoftBank Fund Is Said to Invest $2.5 Billion in Flipkart |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-10/softbank-vision-fund-invests-in-top-indian-online-mall-flipkart |access-date=12 July 2018 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=10 August 2017 }}</ref>

On 27 May 2017, Softbank and the [[Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia]] (PIF), the kingdom's main sovereign wealth fund, partnered to create the Softbank Vision Fund, the world's largest private equity fund with a capital of $93 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alkhalisi |first=Zahraa |date=6 October 2017 |title=Where the huge SoftBank-Saudi tech fund is investing |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/09/20/technology/softbank-vision-fund-saudi-investments/index.html |access-date=4 November 2018 |website=Cnn.com}}</ref> Softbank Group contributed $28 billion to the investment fund, of which $8.2 billion came from the sale of approximately 25% of British multinational Arm Holdings shares.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2017 |title=SoftBank Vision Fund announces first major close |url=http://www.softbank.jp/corp/d/group_news/press_20170520_01_en.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809184654/http://www.softbank.jp/corp/d/group_news/press_20170520_01_en.pdf |archive-date=9 August 2017 |access-date=9 November 2018 |website=Softbank.jp}}</ref> Saudi Arabia is the principal investor in the fund, its Public Investment Fund (PIF) agreed to inject $45 billion into the Vision Fund over 5 years, becoming its largest investor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2017 |title=Masayoshi Son and Saudi Arabia launch a monster technology fund |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2017/05/25/masayoshi-son-and-saudi-arabia-launch-a-monster-technology-fund |access-date=9 November 2018 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> Other investors include [[Apple Inc.|Apple]], [[Qualcomm]], [[Arm (company)|Arm]], [[Foxconn]], [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]], [[Larry Ellison]] and [[Mubadala]].<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kerry A. |last=Dolan |date=5 April 2017 |title=Japanese Billionaire Masayoshi Son, Larry Ellison, Apple, Saudi Arabia All Bet On Vision Fund |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerryadolan/2017/04/05/masayoshi-sons-new-universe-softbank-vision-fund-apple-trump/ |access-date=9 November 2018 |website=Forbes.com}}</ref> The latter agreed to invest $15 billion dollars in the fund, targeting artificial intelligence, communications infrastructure, financial technology, consumer internet, mobile computing and robotics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Torchia |first=Andrew |date=20 May 2017 |title=Softbank-Saudi tech fund becomes world's biggest with $93 billion of capital |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-softbank-visionfund-launch/softbank-saudi-tech-fund-becomes-worlds-biggest-with-93-billion-of-capital-idUSKCN18G0NP |access-date=9 November 2018 |website=Reuters.com}}</ref> Through Softbank Vision Fund, CEO Masayoshi Son explained his intent to invest in all companies developing technologies emphasizing global [[artificial intelligence]], including sectors such as finance or transportation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benner |first=Katie |date=10 October 2017 |title=Masayoshi Son's Grand Plan for SoftBank's $100 Billion Vision Fund |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/technology/masayoshi-son-softbank-vision-fund.html |access-date=9 November 2018 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In July 2019, SoftBank announced creating of a "Vision Fund 2", excluding participation from the Saudi Arabia government and including investors Apple, Foxconn, [[Microsoft]] and others. The fund is reported to focus on AI-based technology and invest approximately $108 billion, including $38 billion of its own funds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shu |first=Catherine |title=SoftBank announces AI-focused second $108 billion Vision Fund with LPs including Microsoft, Apple and Foxconn |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/25/softbank-announces-ai-focused-second-108-billion-vision-fund-with-lps-including-microsoft-apple-and-foxconn/ |access-date=3 August 2019 |website=Tech Crunch|date=26 July 2019 }}</ref> In February 2020, however, a report from ''Wall Street Journal'' stated the fund would only up with less than half of that capital.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Rolfe |last1=Winkler |first2=Liz |last2=Hoffman |first3=Bradley |last3=Hope |date=2020-02-07 |title=New SoftBank Tech Fund Falls Far Short of $108 Billion Fundraising Goal |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-softbank-tech-fund-falls-far-short-of-108-billion-fundraising-goal-11581100669 |access-date=2020-02-10 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

On 8 June 2017, [[Alphabet Inc.]] announced the sale of [[Boston Dynamics]] (robotics companies whose products include [[BigDog]]) to SoftBank Group for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=9 Jun 2017 |title=SoftBank is buying robotics firms Boston Dynamics and Schaft from Alphabet |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/08/softbank-is-buying-robotics-firm-boston-dynamics-and-schaft-from-alphabet/}}</ref> On 25 August 2017, SoftBank finalized a $4.4 billion investment in WeWork.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Eliot |date=25 August 2017 |title=SoftBank Finalizes $4.4 Billion WeWork Investment |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-invests-additional-3-billion-in-wework-1503597860}}</ref> On 24 October 2017, Son announced the group would collaborate with Saudi Arabia to develop [[Neom]], the new high-tech business and industrial city of the Saudi Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 October 2017 |title=SoftBank to work with Saudi Arabia on new city |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-economy-neom/softbank-to-work-with-saudi-arabia-on-new-city-idUSKBN1CT1TK |access-date=4 November 2018 |website=Reuters.com}}</ref> On 14 November 2017, Softbank agreed to invest $10 billion into [[Uber]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem |url=https://www.techinasia.com/uber-board-agrees-to-terms-of-10b-deal-with-softbank |access-date=2017-11-21 |website=www.techinasia.com |language=en-US}}</ref> On 29 December 2017, it was reported that a SoftBank-led consortium had invested $9 billion into Uber. The deal, to close in January 2018, would leave SoftBank as Uber's biggest shareholder, with a 15 percent stake.<ref name="ft-stake">{{Cite news |last=Hook |first=Leslie |date=29 December 2017 |title=SoftBank deal helps clear path towards Uber IPO |work=[[Financial Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.ft.com/content/a079da14-ec58-11e7-bd17-521324c81e23 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/a079da14-ec58-11e7-bd17-521324c81e23 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref> The deal was secured after Uber shareholders voted to "sell their shares to the Japanese conglomerate at a discounted price." Beyond SoftBank, consortium members included [[Dragoneer Investment Group|Dragoneer]], Tencent, [[TPG Capital|TPG]] and [[Sequoia Capital|Sequoia]].<ref name="ft-discount">{{Cite news |last=Hook |first=Leslie |date=28 December 2017 |title=SoftBank-led group to acquire $9bn stake in Uber |work=[[Financial Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.ft.com/content/33ca6fbc-ec00-11e7-8713-513b1d7ca85a |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/33ca6fbc-ec00-11e7-8713-513b1d7ca85a |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref>

On 14 January 2018, Softbank's Vision Fund announced to invest $560 million in the German used-car sales portal Auto1.<ref>{{Cite news |title=SoftBank's Vision Fund Invests $560 Million in Auto1 Group |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-14/softbank-s-vision-fund-invests-560-million-in-auto1-car-portal |access-date=2018-02-01 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=14 January 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> On 1 March 2018, Softbank's Vision Fund led a $535 million investment in [[DoorDash]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=DoorDash is raising $535 million from SoftBank and others at a $1.4 billion valuation |work=Recode |url=https://www.recode.net/2018/3/1/17065928/doordash-softbank-gic-funding |access-date=2018-03-02}}</ref> In May 2018, CEO [[Masayoshi Son]] revealed during an earnings presentation that Walmart had reached a deal to buy Flipkart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Whoops: SoftBank CEO reveals Walmart has acquired Flipkart – TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/09/walmart-softbank-flipkart-masayoshi-son/ |access-date=2018-05-09 |website=techcrunch.com |date=9 May 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref> On 27 September 2018, Softbank announced the investment of $400 Million in Home-Selling Startup [[Opendoor]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Eliot |last2=Kusisto |first2=Laura |date=2018-09-27 |title=SoftBank Invests $400 Million in Home-Selling Startup Opendoor |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-invests-400-million-in-home-selling-startup-opendoor-1538042400 |access-date=2018-09-27 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

In September 2018, [[Politics of Saudi Arabia#National government|Saudi government]] officials announced that a planned $200 billion project with SoftBank Group to build the world's biggest solar-power-generation project would be put on hold.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Rory |last2=Said |first2=Summer |date=2018-09-30 |title=Saudi Arabia Shelves Work on SoftBank's $200 Billion Solar Project |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/saudi-arabia-shelves-work-on-softbanks-200-billion-solar-project-1538328820 |access-date=2018-10-01 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> In November 2018, SoftBank announced it would make an [[Initial public offering|IPO]] of SoftBank Corp., the telecommunications operator, with the cost of share of $13.22 (which is 1,500 yen). The offer of the shares was going to last for a month. Regarding the number of shares, the total value of SoftBank Corp. will reach $21.15 billion, which would be the second-largest IPO ever made.<ref>{{Cite news |title=SoftBank sets indicative share price of 1,500 yen for next month's IPO |language=en-US |work=TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/29/softbank-sets-indicative-share-price-of-1500-yen-for-next-months-ipo/ |access-date=2018-11-30}}</ref>

In December 2018, SoftBank invested in [[ParkJockey]]. The startup attempts to monetize parking lots. After the investment round, general valuation of the ParkJourney reached $1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SoftBank invests in parking startup ParkJockey pushing valuation to $1 billion |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/10/softbank-invests-in-parking-startup-parkjockey-pushing-valuation-to-1-billion/ |access-date=2018-12-11 |website=TechCrunch |date=10 December 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In December 2018, SoftBank announced its intention to invest $1 billion on ride-hailing startup [[Grab (company)|Grab]]. Some sources said that the total amount of investment could reach $1.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SoftBank's Vision Fund is preparing to invest $1 billion in Grab |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/20/softbank-vision-fund-grab-1-billion/ |access-date=2018-12-21 |website=TechCrunch |date=21 December 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2019–2021===
On 25 September 2019, Softbank Robotics launched Whiz robotic vacuum cleaner in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2019 |title=SoftBank Robotics Singapore Launches AI Commercial Vacuum Cleaner 'Whiz' |url=https://www.softbankrobotics.com/corp/pressroom/20190925b/ |work=SoftBank Robotics - Group &#124; Global Site }}</ref>

In September 2019, WeWork's IPO was canceled.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Eavis |first1=Peter |last2=Merced |first2=Michael J. de la |date=30 September 2019 |title=WeWork I.P.O. Is Withdrawn as Investors Grow Wary |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/30/business/wework-ipo.html }}</ref>

In December 2019, Softbank sold its interest in dog-walking startup [[Wag (company)|Wag]] at a loss.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffith |first=Erin |date=10 December 2019 |title=SoftBank Takes Loss in Sale of Wag, Dog-Walking Start-Up |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/10/business/softbank-wag.html }}</ref> [[Tadashi Yanai]], [[Fast Retailing]]'s CEO and Japan's richest man at the time, left the board after 18 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 December 2019 |title=SoftBank loses one of the few board members who could challenge Masayoshi Son |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-12-27/tadashi-yanai-exits-softbank-board-challenged-masayoshi-son |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

In January 2020, multiple Softbank-funded startups started cutting their staff, including [[Getaround]], Oyo, [[Rappi]], [[Katerra]] and [[Zume]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Goel |first1=Vindu |last2=Singh |first2=Karan Deep |last3=Griffith |first3=Erin |date=13 January 2020 |title=Oyo Scales Back as SoftBank-Funded Companies Retreat |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/technology/oyo-hotel-india-softbank.html }}</ref> In February 2020, [[Elliott Management]], an activist hedge fund, bought a $2.5 billion stake in Softbank and pushed for restructuring and more transparency, especially regarding its Vision Fund.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Merced |first=Michael J. de la |date=6 February 2020 |title=Elliott Management Is Said to Push for Change at SoftBank |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/06/business/dealbook/elliott-management-softbank.html }}</ref> Consequently, plans for a second Vision Fund were pushed back.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2020 |title=SoftBank CEO tells U.S. investors he'll be more careful |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-softbank-ceo-idUSKBN20Q0BP |newspaper=Reuters |last1=Hu |first1=Joshua Franklin }}</ref>

In November 2019, it was announced that [[Line Corporation|Line Corp.]] and [[Z Holdings]] were going to be a new subsidiary under [[Naver Corporation]] and SoftBank Group, their respective owners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=18 November 2019 |title=Yahoo Japan and Line Corp. confirm merger agreement |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/11/17/yahoo-japan-and-line-corp-confirm-merger-agreement/ |access-date=7 April 2020 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> The closing was delayed until March 2021 due to COVID-19.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus delays Yahoo Japan's merger with Line|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-deals/Coronavirus-delays-Yahoo-Japan-s-merger-with-Line|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Nikkei Asia|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In March 2020, SoftBank announced that it was launching an emergency ¥4.5tn ($41bn) asset sale to fund a share buyback and debt reduction. The effort was initiated by Son in order to stem a collapse in the company’s share price due to the pandemic, "This programme will be the largest share buyback and will result in the largest increase in cash balance in the history of SBG [SoftBank Group], reflecting the firm and unwavering confidence we have in our business.". After the programme was unveiled, Softbank share price rose almost 19%. The program included a plan to repurchase ¥2tn of its shares in addition to the ¥500bn buyback it promised 10 days prior. Combined, SoftBank would be repurchasing 45% of its stock.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kana Inagaki |display-authors=etal |date=March 22, 2020 |title=SoftBank plans $41bn asset sale to cut debt amid coronavirus tumult |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ad5785da-6cd3-11ea-89df-41bea055720b |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/ad5785da-6cd3-11ea-89df-41bea055720b |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 23, 2020 |website=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref>

On 1 April 2020, Sprint completed its merger of Sprint Corporation and T-Mobile US,, which was majority-owned by Deutsche Telekom, leaving T-Mobile the parent company. The merger also led to Softbank holding 24% of the new T-Mobile's shares, while 43% of shares are held by Deutsche Telekom. The remaining 33% will be held by others. In May 2020, [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]]'s co-founder and former CEO [[Jack Ma]] resigned from the board.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-18 |title=Alibaba's Jack Ma quits SoftBank board after $18B Vision Fund loss |url=https://nypost.com/2020/05/18/alibabas-jack-ma-quits-softbank-board-after-18b-loss/ |website=NYPost |language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2020, SoftBank announced that it was considering selling or IPOing British chip designer [[Arm (company)|Arm Holdings]], which has been in a feud with the Chinese over control of its local subsidiary, but it did not have the majority ownership due to a decision made by Softbank to sell off the stake to the local partner.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Dana|last1=Cimilluca|first2=Cara|last2=Lombardo|title=SoftBank considers sale or IPO of British chip designer Arm Holdings|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/softbank-considers-sale-or-ipo-of-british-chip-designer-arm-holdings-2020-07-13|access-date=2021-09-30|website=MarketWatch|date=13 July 2020 |language=EN-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=How SoftBank's sale of Arm China sowed the seeds of discord|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/China-tech/How-SoftBank-s-sale-of-Arm-China-sowed-the-seeds-of-discord|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Nikkei Asia|language=en-GB}}</ref> For Q2 of 2020, the company's revenues were $12 billion. The firm announced that it would be arranging a new fund worth $555 million. The fund will be used to invest in various companies, including [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]], Apple and [[Facebook, Inc.|Facebook]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Inagaki |first=Kana |date=2020-08-11 |title=SoftBank rebounds from historic loss with $12bn quarterly profit |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5ddaa72e-2185-4af7-8967-b88125aa98a9 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/5ddaa72e-2185-4af7-8967-b88125aa98a9 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-11}}</ref>

In September 2020, SoftBank Vision Fund 2 led a $100 million Series C round in Biofourmis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shu |first=Catherine |date=2020-09-02 |title=SoftBank Vision Fund 2 leads $100 million Series C in digital therapeutics company Biofourmis |work=TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/02/softbank-vision-fund-2-leads-100-million-series-c-in-digital-therapeutics-company-biofourmis/ |access-date=2020-09-03}}</ref> Also in September 2020, Softbank was identified as the Nasdaq whale, where it bought stock options valued in the billions, betting on higher prices for the biggest technology companies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Softbank was identified as being the 'Nasdaq whale' |website=[[CNBC]]|date=4 September 2020|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/04/softbank-reportedly-the-nasdaq-whale-that-bought-billions-in-options.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SoftBank option purchases raise eyebrows as Wall Street backtracks |work=mint |date=5 September 2020|url=https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/softbank-option-purchases-raise-eyebrows-as-wall-street-backtracks-11599288234169.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nasdaq Whale: Softbank's huge tech options bet answers stock rally riddle |newspaper=Business Standard India|date=5 September 2020|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/nasdaq-whale-softbank-s-huge-tech-options-bet-answers-stock-rally-riddle-120090500138_1.html|last1=Lachapelle|first1=Tara}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nasdaq Whale and how SoftBank's derivative bets may have powered the US tech rally |date=5 September 2020|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/market/stocks/explained-nasdaq-whale-and-how-softbanks-derivative-bets-may-have-powered-the-us-tech-rally-6833921.htm}}</ref> That month, SoftBank sold Brightstar Corporation to Brightstar Capital Partners for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Nussey|first1=Sam|last2=Gallagher|first2=Chris|date=2020-09-18|title=SoftBank exits cellphone distributor Brightstar in telecoms sell-down|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-softbank-group-divestiture-idUSKBN2690A1|access-date=2021-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Narioka |first1=Kosaku |last2=Dvorak |first2=Phred |date=2020-09-18 |title=SoftBank Sells Brightstar, Carrying On Its Divestiture Spree |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-sells-brightstar-carrying-on-its-divestiture-spree-11600410882 |access-date=2020-10-13 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

American chip design company [[Nvidia]] announced plans on 13 September 2020, to acquire ARM from SoftBank, pending regulatory approval, for a value of US $40 billion in stock and cash. This would become the largest semiconductor acquisition to date. SoftBank Group would retain a 10% share in the company, while ARM would maintain its headquarters in Cambridge.<ref name="NVIDIA bought">{{Cite news |last=Rosoff |first=Matt |date=13 September 2020 |title=Nvidia to buy Arm Holdings from SoftBank for $40 billion |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/14/nvidia-to-buy-arm-holdings-from-softbank-for-40-billion.html |access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="Nvidia details">{{Cite web |last=Moorhead |first=Patrick |title=It's Official: NVIDIA Acquires Arm For $40B To Create What Could Be A Computing Juggernaut |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/2020/09/13/its-officialnvidia-acquires-arm-for-40b-to-create-what-could-be-a-computing-juggernaut/ |access-date=2020-09-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first1=Arash|last1=Massoudi|first2=Robert|last2=Smith|first3=James|last3=Fontanella-Khan|date=12 September 2020|title=SoftBank set to sell UK's Arm Holdings to Nvidia for $40bn|work=[[Financial Times]]|url=https://www.ft.com/content/6bfe40a5-2426-4743-98cd-6fed9dd01b98 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/6bfe40a5-2426-4743-98cd-6fed9dd01b98 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=12 September 2020}}</ref> But this deal collapsed due to regulatory hurdles.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Jane Lanhee |last2=Horwitz |first2=Josh |date=2022-02-08 |title=SoftBank dumps sale of Arm over regulatory hurdles, to IPO instead |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/softbanks-66-bln-sale-arm-nvidia-collapses-ft-2022-02-08/ |access-date=2023-02-12}}</ref>

In December 2020, [[Hyundai Motor Group]] acquired an 80% stake of [[Boston Dynamics]] from SoftBank for approximately $880 million. SoftBank retains about 20% through an affiliate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-12-11 |title=Hyundai Motor Buys 80% of Robotics Firm Boston Dynamics |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-11/hyundai-motor-buys-80%-of-robot-firm-boston-dynamics |access-date=2021-01-21}}</ref>

In January 2021, SoftBank sold $2 billion in Uber Technologies shares through affiliate firm SB Cayman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-01-11 |title=SoftBank Sells $2 Billion in Uber Stock as Rides Recover |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-11/softbank-sells-2-billion-of-uber-stake-after-stock-s-recovery |access-date=2021-01-21}}</ref>

In March 2021, SoftBank made a record $36.99 billion profit from its Vision Fund unit and investment gains via the public market debut of [[Coupang]].<ref name="record-profit">{{Cite web |title=Softbank just shocked its critics by landing the biggest profit in the history of a Japanese company |website=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/12/softbank-joins-top-corporate-earners-with-its-37-billion-vision-fund-profit.html |date=May 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515161539/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/12/softbank-joins-top-corporate-earners-with-its-37-billion-vision-fund-profit.html |archive-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref> SoftBank Group's net profit was $45.88 billion (¥4.99 trillion).<ref name="record-profit"/> It was the largest recorded annual profit by a Japanese company in history.<ref name="record-profit"/> The same month, Softbank's Vision Fund 2 announced investment in the [[eToro]] [[Special-purpose acquisition Company|SPAC]] merger [[Private investment in public Equity|PIPE]]  of $650 million.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Israel's eToro to go public through $10.4 billion SPAC deal backed by SoftBank, others|url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/israels-etoro-to-go-public-through-10-4-bln-spac-deal-backed-by-softbank-others|access-date=2021-09-02|newspaper=Financial Post|date=16 March 2021|language=en-CA}}</ref>

In April 2021, Softbank announced plans to acquire a 40% stake in AutoStore for $2.8 billion and in July 2021, it announced it would invest $870 million in the Korean hotel booking platform Yanolja.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-06|title=SoftBank Group to acquire 40% stake in AutoStore for $2.8 billion|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/04/06/business/corporate-business/softbank-autostore-acquisition/|access-date=2021-09-02|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2021, Softbank stated it would sell SB Energy India to Adani Green Energy, valuing the unit at $3.5 billion. The sale is speculated to mark a shift in the company's trajectory, moving away from investments in [[solar energy]] towards companies dealing with artificial intelligence.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-19|title=India's Adani Green to buy SoftBank-backed SB Energy in $3.5 billion deal|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/indias-adani-green-energy-buy-sb-energy-holdings-35-bln-deal-2021-05-19/|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dvorak|first=Phred|date=2021-05-19|title=SoftBank Sells Renewable-Energy Unit in India|language=en-US|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/softbank-sells-renewable-energy-unit-in-india-11621423025|access-date=2021-05-19|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Burgos|first=Jonathan|title=Adani Green To Buy SB Energy India For $3.5 Billion From SoftBank, Bharti|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanburgos/2021/05/19/adani-green-to-buy-sb-energy-india-for-35-billion-from-softbank-bharti/|access-date=2021-05-19|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> Later that month, Bloomberg reported that Vision Fund could go public via a $300 million [[Special-purpose acquisition Company|SPAC]] in 2021, listing in Amsterdam.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Softbank's Vision Fund could go public in a $300 million SPAC deal, report says|url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/softbank-vision-fund-go-public-spac-tech-bloomberg-report-2021-5|access-date=2021-09-02|website=markets.businessinsider.com|language=en}}</ref>

In July 2021, Softbank announced that it would acquire the Yahoo Japan brand from Verizon Communications for $1.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-07|title=Softbank buys Yahoo Japan brand from Verizon for $1.6 billion|url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20210707/carriers/softbank-buys-yahoo-japan-from-verizon|access-date=2021-09-02|website=RCR Wireless News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=SoftBank buys perpetual Yahoo trademark license for $1.6 billion|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/05/softbank-yahoo-verizon/|access-date=2021-09-02|website=TechCrunch|date=5 July 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In August 2021, Son said he would begin to make personal investments alongside [[SoftBank Vision Fund|Softbank Group's Vision Fund 2]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Savitz |first=Eric J. |title=SoftBank CEO to Take Stake in Vision Fund 2 |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/softbank-ceo-to-take-stake-in-vision-fund-2-51628617760 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2022–present===
In August 2022, Softbank said that it sold its entire Uber holdings in April–July 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/08/softbank-sells-entire-stake-in-uber-as-vision-fund-losses-mount.html |title=Japanese giant SoftBank dumps its entire stake in Uber as losses mount at its investment unit |date=8 August 2022 |work=[[CNBC]] |first=Arjun |last=Kharpal}}</ref> It was also reported that Softbank exited [[Opendoor]] in that quarter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/funds/softbank-posts-23-bln-loss-first-quarter-2022-08-08/ |title=SoftBank posts record net loss on $23.1 bln Vision Fund hit |date=8 August 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |first=Sam |last=Nussey}}</ref> Five years after Masayoshi Son’s $100 billion fund entered the financial world to much fanfare, Softbank’s venture firm was crumbling and on the verge of collapse. Its large venture vehicles struggled badly, performing in the bottom of the asset class, and many of Son’s closest associates in the effort had departed from the company.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Softbank: Twilight of an Empire {{!}} The Generalist |url=https://www.generalist.com/briefing/softbank |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=www.generalist.com |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2023, [[Toyota Tsusho]] announced that it had bought the [[controlling interest]] in SB Energy, which would become a [[subsidiary]], alongside Toyota Tsusho subsidiary [[Eurus Energy]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Andrew |title=Toyota Tsusho swoops for SB Energy set up by billionaire to green Japan post-Fukushima |url=https://www.rechargenews.com/energy-transition/toyota-tsusho-swoops-for-sb-energy-set-up-by-billionaire-to-green-japan-post-fukushima/2-1-1401423 |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=Recharge |publisher=[[NHST Media Group]] |date=9 February 2023}}</ref>

In April 2023, SoftBank Group Corp. announced it was selling to a Singapore-based company run by Masayoshi Son’s youngest brother its Korea-based early-stage venture capital arm SoftBank Ventures Asia Corp. after suffering billions of dollars in losses from failed startup bets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SoftBank to Sell Korean Venture Arm to Firm Run by CEO's Brother |url=https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/cpi-report-today-march-2023-inflation/card/softbank-to-sell-korean-venture-arm-to-firm-run-by-ceo-s-brother-ChKn8dzVsGhW5KJdKMHw |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref>

In May 2023, the SoftBank Group announced that losses from the [[SoftBank Vision Fund]] had widened 70 percent to a record $32 billion from a year ago.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-11 |title=SoftBank Vision Fund Posts Record Loss Despite Masayoshi Son Foreseeing Disaster |url=https://observer.com/2023/05/softbank-vision-fund-loss-2022/ |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Observer |language=en-US}}</ref> In another [[Divestment|divestiture]] of assets, SoftBank Group also sold the stake in Fortress Investment Group to [[Mubadala Investment Company|Mubadala]] and Fortress' management.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SoftBank sells Fortress stake to Mubadala and management |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/SoftBank2/SoftBank-sells-Fortress-stake-to-Mubadala-and-management |access-date=2023-05-22 |website=Nikkei Asia |language=en-GB}}</ref>

SoftBank Group's Arm filed for an IPO on 21 August 2023 on the Nasdaq.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nerkar |first1=Santul |last2=Clark |first2=Don |date=21 August 2023 |title=Arm, the Chip Designer, Files for an I.P.O. Expected to Be Among the Largest |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/technology/chip-designer-arm-ipo-softbank.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Meredith |first=Sam |date=3 March 2023 |title=British chip giant Arm chooses New York listing in a blow to London |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/03/softbanks-arm-and-crh-choose-new-york-listing-in-a-blow-to-london.html |publisher=CNBC}}</ref> A few days earlier, SoftBank bought back the 25% stake from Vision Fund for around $16&nbsp;billion, valuing Arm at over $64&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Ian |last2=Hytha |first2=Michael |date=21 August 2023 |title=SoftBank's Arm Files for IPO That Is Set to Be 2023's Biggest |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-21/softbank-s-arm-files-for-ipo-that-could-be-2023-s-biggest |work=Bloomberg News}}</ref> Arm went public on 14 September 2023 raising $4.87&nbsp;billion at a $54.5&nbsp;billion valuation, with SoftBank continuing to own 90.6% of the company following the offering.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Echo |last2=Sen|first2=Anirban |date=14 September 2023 |title=How SoftBank played it safe in pricing Arm's IPO |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/how-softbank-played-it-safe-pricing-arms-ipo-2023-09-14/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hansen |first=Sarah |date=13 September 2023 |title=Arm IPO: A Dominant Chip Designer but at a 'Very, Very' Lofty Price |url=https://www.morningstar.com/markets/arm-ipo-dominant-chip-designer-very-very-lofty-price |publisher=Morningstar}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/13/business/arm-ipo-pricing.html|title=Arm, the Chip Designer, Raises $4.87 Billion in the Year's Largest I.P.O.|last=Giang|first=Vivian|work=The New York Times|date=September 13, 2023}}</ref>

In December 2023, telecommunication and networking company SoftBank Corp, a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp, paid $513 million for a controlling stake in Irish technology company Cubic Telecom, in a deal that will net the company’s founders and its private backers a multimillion-euro payout.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nick |first1=Carey |title=SoftBank Corp buys $514 mln majority stake in car software firm Cubic Telecom |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/softbank-corp-buys-514-mln-majority-stake-car-software-firm-cubic-telecom-2023-12-05/ |access-date=5 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EY Ireland advises Cubic Telecom on Investment from Softbank |url=https://www.ey.com/en_ie/ey-ireland-advises-cubic-telecom-on-investment-from-softbank2 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=www.ey.com |language=en-IE}}</ref>

In May 2024, Softbank launched a joint venture with healthcare technology company [[Tempus AI]]. The aim of the venture was to provide precision medical services in Japan by utilising AI.<ref>{{cite web |title=SoftBank Group Establishes Joint Venture "SB TEMPUS" with Tempus for Further Advancements of Japan's Healthcare Through the Utilization of Medical Data and AI |date=26 June 2024 |url=https://group.softbank/en/news/press/20240627 |publisher=SoftBank Group |access-date=15 February 2025}}</ref>

On 27 June 2024, Bloomberg reported that SoftBank has invested in the AI search startup Perplexity AI, valuing the company at $3 billion. Perplexity AI, known for its advanced artificial intelligence technology, aims to revolutionize online search experiences. This investment aligns with SoftBank's ongoing strategy to support innovative AI companies, highlighting Perplexity AI's potential in the tech industry. The funding is expected to accelerate the startup's growth and development, further enhancing its AI capabilities and market reach.<ref>{{Cite news|title=SoftBank Invests in Perplexity AI at $3 Billion Valuation|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/softbank-invest-search-startup-perplexity-ai-3-bln-valuation-bloomberg-reports-2024-06-27|access-date=2024-06-27|newspaper=Reuters|date=2024-06-27}}</ref>

In December 2024, it was reported by CNBC that Softbank plans to invest $100 billion in the US over the next 4 years, with funding coming from various sources controlled by Softbank, including the [[SoftBank Vision Fund|Vision Fund]], capital projects or chipmaker [[Arm Holdings]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melloy |first=John |date=2024-12-16 |title=Softbank CEO and Trump to announce $100 billion investment in U.S. by firm |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/16/softbank-ceo-to-announce-100-billion-investment-in-us-during-visit-with-trump.html |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> The investment is said to create 100,000 jobs focused on artificial intelligence and related infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Trump, SoftBank CEO announce $100 billion US investment, in echo of 2016 event |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/softbank-ceo-announce-100-bln-investment-us-during-visit-trump-cnbc-reports-2024-12-16/}}</ref>

In January 2025,  SoftBank Group, [[Oracle Corporation]], [[MGX Fund Management Limited|MGX]], [[OpenAI]], and other partners established [[Stargate LLC|The Stargate Project]] as a cooperative venture aimed at building AI infrastructure in the US. With an estimated $500 billion in investment, the program seeks to generate 100,000 new jobs in the US by 2029.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seetharaman |first=Deepa |title=Tech Leaders Pledge Up to $500 Billion in AI Investment in U.S. |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/tech-leaders-pledge-up-to-500-billion-in-ai-investment-in-u-s-da506cd4?mod=tech_lead_pos2 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2025, SoftBank announced a joint venture with OpenAI called SB OpenAI Japan which would develop "Advanced Enterprise AI" called "[[Cristal intelligence]]." SoftBank would spend $3 billion annually to deploy OpenAI solutions across SoftBank companies. OpenAI and SoftBank also agreed to establish a joint venture with 50:50 ownership called SB OpenAI Japan which would "serve as a springboard for introducing AI agents tailored to the unique needs of Japanese enterprises."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-03 |title=OpenAI and SoftBank Group Partner to Develop and Market Advanced Enterprise AI |url=https://group.softbank/en/news/press/20250203_0 |access-date=2025-02-10 |website=SoftBank Group Corp. |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2025, SoftBank entered into an agreement to acquire [[Ampere Computing]], a company that produces energy-efficient and high-performance processors meant to enable next-generation cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI). This was a $6.5 billion transaction meant to be closed in the latter half of 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://group.softbank/en/news/press/20250320_0 | title=Acquisition of Ampere Computing Holdings LLC | date=19 March 2025 }}</ref>

On April 23, 2025, Cantor Equity Partners, a [[SPAC]] announced a merger with Twenty One (XXI), a bitcoin acquisition company. SoftBank will own a 25% stake in the business led by stablecoin issuer [[Tether]] and bitcoin exchange [[Bitfinex]]. XXI's stated mission is "to accumulate Bitcoin and grow ownership per share."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250423962305/en/Tether-SoftBank-Group-and-Jack-Mallers-Launch-Twenty-One-a-Bitcoin-native-Company-Through-a-Business-Combination-With-Cantor-Equity-Partners | title=Tether, SoftBank Group, and Jack Mallers Launch Twenty One, a Bitcoin-native Company, Through a Business Combination With Cantor Equity Partners | date=23 April 2025 }}</ref> The newly-formed company is targeting to go public with 42,000 bitcoin on its balance sheet contributed by its investors.