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May 12, 2021 - Economy

SoftBank triples down on solo strategy for Vision Fund 2

headshot
Illustration of SoftBank chairman Masayoshi Son in front of money

Photo Illustration: Eniola Odetunde. Photo via Yoshikazu Tsuno/Getty Images

SoftBank is tripling its commitment to investing in private companies, amid record quarterly profits.

Why it matters: Just a year ago, SoftBank's $100 billion Vision Fund was in the red and incapable of attracting outside investors.

  • The result was a decision not to raise a second Vision Fund from outside investors, instead funding "Vision Fund 2" with $10 billion from SoftBank's own balance sheet.
  • That commitment has now increased to $30 billion.

What they're saying: "Right now, we would like to continue investing with our own cash," said SoftBank chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son during a Wednesday presentation to analysts, adding that the company plans to recycle its returns from the first fund into Vision Fund 2.

  • "It's not that we don't invite third-party participation, it’s that we don't have to beg," he added.

By the numbers:

  • SoftBank's net income for the fiscal year ending March 31 was 4.99 trillion yen ($45.9 billion), and 1.93 trillion yen ($17.7 billion) in the most recent quarter.
  • The Vision Fund unit netted 2.3 trillion yen ($21.2 billion) in profit for the quarter.

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