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Investing in Softbank Vision Fund: A Comprehensive Guide

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Published by:

Mike Chelbet

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Reviewed by:

Alistair Vigier

Last Modified: 2023-07-17

Are you looking into how to invest in the Softbank Vision Fund? This article will talk about investing in technology, China, and the Vision Fund.

So what is the Softbank vision fund? It is a 108 billion dollar fund, with most of the money coming from Saudi Arabia.

SoftBank Group is a Japanese venture capital fund with many capital partners. It is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

If you are looking for unique tech investments, we suggest you look into our company. We have around 120,000 monthly website users. You can scroll to the bottom of this page to see our “Investor Relations” section.

Investing in the Softbank Vision Fund could offer exciting potential, especially for those with an appetite for high-growth tech companies. As one of the world’s largest technology-focused funds, it operates on a global scale, making strategic investments in companies shaping the future.

The Vision Fund saw an impressive 45% increase in portfolio value last year. Significant growth was driven largely by key investments in tech giants like Uber and ByteDance. These financial metrics are a testament to the Fund’s ability to identify and capitalize on the transformative power of the tech industry.

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Softbank Vision Fund

An initial glimpse at the fund might suggest it’s primarily a haven for high-risk tech startups. This perspective is, in part, true. However, it’s crucial to note that the Softbank Vision Fund isn’t just about risk, it’s about calculated risk.

As a potential investor, understanding the robust vetting process these potential investees undergo can provide some peace of mind.

The Fund employs over 100 investment professionals, tasked with meticulously analyzing the viability and long-term prospects of potential investments.

This expert team uses a proprietary blend of financial modelling, market analysis, and assessment of technological innovation, meaning only the most promising companies make the cut.

As with any investment opportunity, there are inherent risks. In 2020, the Vision Fund saw a substantial $17.7 billion loss, triggered primarily by high-profile failures such as WeWork.

Unpredictable tech market landscape

Despite this setback, the Fund bounced back, delivering substantial profits in 2021 and 2022. This resilience underscores the Fund’s ability to navigate the unpredictable tech market landscape.

The Vision Fund does not limit its operations to the high-risk startups often associated with tech investment. It also strategically invests in established tech firms, like ARM Holdings and Boston Dynamics.

These companies represent a safer bet, boasting a stable track record and a mature market presence, adding a layer of stability to the Fund’s portfolio.

Potential investors should also consider Softbank’s commitment to sustainability and ethical investing. Last year, Softbank introduced its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework, which now guides the Fund’s investment choices.

Sustainable investments

This approach not only ensures investments align with sustainable practices but also taps into a burgeoning market. According to a recent UBS report, sustainable investments could reach $53 trillion by 2025, nearly a third of total global assets.

The Softbank Vision Fund isn’t for the faint-hearted, though. The fund’s preference for disruptive, high-growth companies inevitably carries an element of volatility. Its three-year standard deviation, a measure of risk and volatility, sits at 23.6% – considerably higher than the 15% global equities average.

This risk can be balanced with careful portfolio construction. Most financial experts recommend allocating no more than 10% to high-risk assets like the Vision Fund. This strategy allows potential upsides to be captured while mitigating risks through diversification.

Vision Fund investment

Softbank’s collaborative approach enhances the likelihood of success. Softbank encourages synergies between its portfolio companies, creating a network of innovative businesses that can benefit from shared resources and expertise.

A pertinent example is Uber’s partnership with Didi Chuxing, another Vision Fund investment. The collaboration allowed Uber to expand its operations in China, contributing to a 37% surge in Uber’s international revenues in Q2 2022.

From a regulatory perspective, investing in the Vision Fund can have some intricacies. The Vision Fund is registered in Jersey, an offshore financial center known for its investor-friendly regulations. This registration means that international investors might enjoy certain tax advantages, depending on their country of residence.

The Softbank Vision Fund offers an intriguing investment avenue for those with a risk tolerance for tech.

Softbank Vision Fund

The founder of Softbank is Masayoshi Son, who famously invested in WeWork. 

While WeWork didn’t work out, Masayoshi Son also made large investments in Uber. That was his “claim to fame.”

Masayoshi Son was educated in the United States. When he moved back to Japan, he already had a number of businesses.

He is fully comfortable with taking large risks. Mr. Son made a lot of money with his investments in Alibaba (China.)

Venture Capital And Private Equity Funds

The fund also invested in China’s “Uber,” which is called DiDi.

Other successes include Doordash, Slack Technologies, and Olacabs.

The company also invested in the Chinese company, Tiktok.

It is the second-largest stock market company in Japan, after Toyota.

If you are looking for an investment fund or private equity fund, then the Softbank vision fund might be for you.

Apple Computer, in addition to Saudi Arabia, also makes large investments in the fund.

Softbank is also heavily invested in mobile phones. It is a holding company with investing as its core business.

How To Invest In The Softbank Vision Fund?

You most likely cannot. The fund seems to only take massive investments. These investments are in the billions of dollars.

Unless you are Apple Computer or the Saudi Arabian royal family, you are most likely out of luck.

Investing is very exciting, but most small investors make $50,000 in investments in startups.

Investing in venture capital requires massive money.

The Softbank Vision Fund is focused on starting revolutions and breaking up traditional businesses. It receives so much money from the Middle East.

It’s a very wild venture fund. The founder wanted to raise $100B to invest in the tech space. Uber and WeWork were the two largest investments.

The global pandemic (COVID-19) and WeWork created a $17B loss for SoftBank.

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