Despite a slower pace, SoftBank’s Vision Fund posted its first gain in six quarters a month after CEO Masayoshi Son's announcement of a shift to "offense mode". The Vision Fund has been part of only five announced deals this year, compared to 175 in 2021. However, the number of deals does not reflect the amount of cash being invested, especially considering the rising valuations of AI startups. SoftBank and its Vision Fund are expected to continue investing in AI startups, albeit at a slower pace than in 2021.
Key takeaways:
- SoftBank, under the leadership of Masayoshi Son, is shifting from "defense mode" to "offense mode" in its investment strategy, with a focus on AI.
- Despite a slower pace, SoftBank's Vision Fund has made some significant investments, including a $280 million funding round for Mapbox and a $65 million Series E for Tractable.
- SoftBank's Vision Fund posted its first gain in six quarters a month after Son's announcement, but has been part of only five announced deals since then.
- While the number of deals has decreased, the Vision Fund continues to invest significant amounts, especially in high-value AI startups. Other SoftBank affiliates are also making substantial investments, such as the $1 billion backing of Stack AV.