# Masayoshi Son

> Japanese businessman

**Wikidata**: [Q717038](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q717038)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masayoshi_Son)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/masayoshi-son

## Summary
Masayoshi Son is a Japanese businessman and founder of SoftBank Group, a multinational holding company specializing in telecommunications and information technology investments. He is best known for pioneering massive-scale venture capital through the SoftBank Vision Fund, which has invested over $100 billion in companies like Alibaba, Arm Holdings, and Uber, significantly shaping global tech innovation.

## Biography
- Born: August 11, 1957
- Nationality: Japanese
- Education: Bachelor's degree in economics from Waseda University, Master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School
- Known for: Founding SoftBank Group and revolutionizing venture capital with the Vision Fund
- Employer(s): SoftBank Group (CEO and largest shareholder)
- Field(s): Venture capital, telecommunications, information technology

## Contributions
- Founded SoftBank Group in 1981, establishing it as a major player in telecommunications and venture capital.
- Launched the SoftBank Vision Fund in 2016, deploying over $100 billion into companies across AI, robotics, e-commerce, and telecommunications.
- Acquired Arm Holdings in 2016 for $32 billion, one of the largest semiconductor deals in history, positioning SoftBank at the center of the semiconductor industry.
- Invested in major tech companies including Alibaba (29.5% stake), Uber, WeWork, DoorDash, and Slack, helping scale them from regional players to global giants.
- Pioneered the "SoftBank effect," where investment announcements significantly boost startup valuations.
- Owns Japan's third-largest mobile carrier and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks baseball team.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Masayoshi Son's primary business?
A: Masayoshi Son is the founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, a Japanese multinational holding company focused on telecommunications and information technology investments. He is best known for his role in pioneering massive-scale venture capital through the SoftBank Vision Fund.

### Q: What are SoftBank's most significant investments?
A: SoftBank's most notable investments include a 29.5% stake in Alibaba Group, 100% ownership of Arm Holdings (acquired in 2016), and investments in companies like Uber, WeWork, DoorDash, and Slack through its Vision Fund.

### Q: How has Masayoshi Son influenced the tech industry?
A: Masayoshi Son has fundamentally reshaped how capital flows into emerging technologies and startups through his aggressive investment strategy. His Vision Fund has deployed over $100 billion into companies across AI, robotics, e-commerce, and telecommunications, helping scale numerous technology companies from regional players to global giants.

## Why They Matter
Masayoshi Son represents one of the most influential figures in global technology investment, fundamentally reshaping how capital flows into emerging technologies and startups. Under his leadership, SoftBank pioneered massive-scale venture investing through its Vision Fund, which has deployed over $100 billion into companies across artificial intelligence, robotics, e-commerce, and telecommunications. The company's strategic investments have helped scale numerous technology companies from regional players to global giants, while its ownership of Arm Holdings positions it at the center of the semiconductor industry that powers modern computing. SoftBank's aggressive investment strategy and willingness to take massive stakes in transformative companies have made it both a catalyst for technological innovation and a controversial figure in global finance, particularly given the high-profile successes and failures of its portfolio companies. Its influence extends beyond mere financial returns, as SoftBank often takes active roles in shaping the strategic direction of its investments, making it a key player in determining the trajectory of emerging technologies worldwide.

## Notable For
- World's largest technology-focused venture capital fund through its Vision Fund
- Acquisition of Arm Holdings for $32 billion in 2016, one of the largest semiconductor deals in history
- Pioneering massive-scale startup investments, often taking 20-30% ownership stakes
- Owning Japan's third-largest mobile carrier and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks baseball team
- Creating the "SoftBank effect" - where its investment announcements often significantly boost startup valuations

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Masayoshi Son was born on August 11, 1957, in Japan. He earned a Bachelor's degree in economics from Waseda University and a Master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. These educational foundations laid the groundwork for his future career in finance and technology.

### Founding SoftBank Group
Son founded SoftBank Group on September 3, 1981, in Tokyo, Japan. The company initially focused on telecommunications and information technology, with significant investments in companies like Alibaba Group, Arm Holdings, and Supercell. SoftBank Group is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 9984 and has an ISIN of JP3436100006.

### Vision Fund and Strategic Investments
In 2016, Son launched the SoftBank Vision Fund, which has deployed over $100 billion into companies across artificial intelligence, robotics, e-commerce, and telecommunications. Notable investments include a 29.5% stake in Alibaba Group, 100% ownership of Arm Holdings (acquired in 2016), and investments in companies like Uber, WeWork, DoorDash, and Slack.

### Corporate Structure and Ownership
SoftBank Group operates as a holding company with diverse ownership structure. The largest shareholders include Masayoshi Son (29.04%), The Master Trust Bank of Japan (19.10% as trustee), and Japan Trustee Services Bank (5.88% as trustee). The company maintains dual headquarters in Tokyo and London, reflecting its global investment strategy.

### Financial Performance
The company has demonstrated significant revenue growth from ¥2.54 trillion in 2007 to ¥8.88 trillion in 2016. Net profits have varied considerably, reaching ¥668.4 billion in 2015 before dropping to ¥558.2 billion in 2016. Total assets grew from ¥4.56 trillion in 2008 to ¥24.63 trillion in 2017, reflecting the expansion of its investment portfolio.

### Global Presence and Industry Impact
SoftBank maintains operations and investments across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The company has established strategic partnerships with governments and corporations worldwide, particularly in emerging technologies. Its Vision Fund has offices in multiple countries to source and manage investments globally. SoftBank has significantly influenced the venture capital industry by introducing massive fund sizes and aggressive investment terms. The company's investment approach has been both praised for enabling rapid scaling of innovative companies and criticized for creating market distortions and unsustainable valuations. Its investments in telecommunications infrastructure have helped advance 5G deployment globally.

### Subsidiaries and Operations
SoftBank's direct subsidiaries include Arm Holdings, SoftBank Robotics Group, and SB Payment Service. The company previously owned Sprint Corporation (acquired in 2013, merged with T-Mobile in 2020) and Brightstar Corporation (sold in 2020). Its telecommunications operations in Japan include mobile services through SoftBank Mobile and internet services.

### Legacy and Influence
Masayoshi Son's leadership has positioned SoftBank as a key player in determining the trajectory of emerging technologies worldwide. The company's aggressive investment strategy and willingness to take massive stakes in transformative companies have made it both a catalyst for technological innovation and a controversial figure in global finance. Son remains the CEO and largest individual shareholder, controlling approximately 29.04% of the company as of September 2022.

## References

1. [Source](https://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217618/masayoshi-son/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. [Source](https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Masayoshi_Son)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. FII 4TH EDITION PROGRAM
7. FII 5th Edition in Riyadh Program
8. Davos 2020 Participant List
9. [Source](https://sportune.20minutes.fr/sport-business/football/leffet-messi-linter-miami-leve-75-m-dun-nouvel-actionnaire-311802)
10. [Source](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Miami-trois-nouveaux-actionnaires-aux-cotes-de-beckham/859559)
11. [Source](https://www.forbes.com/profile/masayoshi-son/?list=rtb)
12. [The World's Billionaires. 2019](https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/;5/#version:static)
13. Quora
14. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Masayoshi_Son-MNJ6B3)
15. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/masayoshi-son-107a9FVax5/appearances)