TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SoftBank Group Corp. (“SBG”) today announced that it will form SoftBank Vision Fund (tentative name) (the “Fund”). The Fund intends to make investments in the technology sector globally. The Fund will be managed in the United Kingdom by a subsidiary of SBG and will deploy capital from SBG and investment partners. The Fund will aim to be one of the world’s largest of its kind*.
SBG expects to invest at least USD 25 billion over the next 5 years. SBG has concluded a non-binding memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) on October 12, 2016 with the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (“PIF”), under which PIF will consider investing in the Fund and becoming the lead investment partner, with the potential investment size of up to USD 45 billion over the next five years. In addition, a few large global investors are in active dialogue to join SBG and PIF to participate in this Fund. The overall potential size of the Fund can go up to USD 100 billion.
SBG will use its deep operational expertise and network of portfolio companies in order to add value to the Fund’s investments.
His Royal Highness, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, Chairman of
PIF, commented as follows:
“The Public Investment Fund is focused
on achieving attractive long-term financial returns from its investments
at home and abroad, as well as supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030
strategy to develop a diversified economy. We are delighted to sign this
MOU with SBG given the long history, established industry relationships
and strong investment performance of SBG and Masayoshi Son.”
Masayoshi Son, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., commented on the
establishment of the Fund as follows:
“With the establishment of
the SoftBank Vision Fund, we will be able to step up investments in
technology companies globally. Over the next decade, the SoftBank Vision
Fund will be the biggest investor in the technology sector. We will
further accelerate the Information Revolution by contributing to its
development.”
Rajeev Misra, Head of Strategic Finance, SoftBank Group, is leading the Fund project for SBG. SBG has engaged former Deutsche banker Nizar Al-Bassam and ex-Goldman partner Dalinc Ariburnu for the project. PIF also had its own team of experts engaged.
About the Public Investment Fund (PIF)
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund was established in 1971 to provide financing support for projects of strategic significance to the national economy, and its role has evolved to incorporate a number of different areas. These include holding and managing the government’s stakes in some of Saudi Arabia’s largest and most important blue chip companies. PIF has also set up and managed a number of companies to support innovation, diversification and non-oil sector development within the Kingdom. Furthermore, the institution has been responsible for holding and managing the government’s stake in bilateral and multilateral companies abroad as well as investing selectively in a range of other asset classes internationally.
PIF has gone through major restructuring, and had supervision moved from under the Ministry of Finance to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, since March 2015. PIF, under the leadership of His Royal Highness, has revised its long term investment strategy to coincide with the country’s Vision 2030.
*Based on SBG research (Comparison made with recent funds under management in the private equity sector that can be confirmed as of October 12, 2016, based on major private equity fund rankings selected and made public by Private Equity International).
- This press release has been prepared for the purpose of announcing to the public certain matters relating to the activities of SoftBank Group Corp. and not for the purpose of soliciting any investment. This press release does not constitute any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for the interests in the Fund.
- This press release does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States, and interests in the Fund will not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, any U.S. person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933).
- SoftBank, the SoftBank name and logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of SoftBank Group Corp. in Japan and other countries.
- Other company, product and service names in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective companies.
About the SoftBank Group
The SoftBank Group is a global technology player that aspires to drive the Information Revolution. The SoftBank Group is comprised of the holding company SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO: 9984) and its global portfolio of companies, which includes advanced telecommunications, Internet services, AI, smart robotics, IoT and clean energy technology providers. In September 2016, ARM Holdings plc, the world’s leading semiconductor IP company, joined the SoftBank Group. To learn more, please visit www.softbank.com.