SoftBank
SoftBank Group operates as a technology-focused holding company that manages a portfolio of businesses across communications, internet services, artificial intelligence, and investment activities. The company provides mobile and broadband services through telecommunications operations and supports enterprise customers with network and digital solutions. It invests in technology-driven companies through managed funds and direct equity ownership, covering sectors such as software, e-commerce, robotics, logistics, and financial technology. SoftBank Group also develops and deploys AI-related technologies and platforms through subsidiaries and strategic partnerships. Its business model centers on long-term ownership, capital allocation, and operational support for companies at various stages of growth. Per Crunchbase, SoftBank Group has made 321 investments, 122 as lead investor across 226 portfolio companies, with 134 exits including 39 IPOs.
Investing activity
SoftBank appears in 5 AI deals tracked by the AI Lounge deals desk, rounds totalling $150B, and led 5 of them. The rounds are mostly Growth, Series C and Series A, with a median round size of $20B and the largest at $122B. The most recent are OpenAI (Growth round (final tranche), $20B, Oct 2026), OpenAI (Growth, $122B, Feb 2026) and Skild AI (Series C, $1.4B, Jan 2026).
SoftBank most often invests alongside Nvidia, Amazon, Jeff Bezos and MGX, and the companies it backs on AI Lounge are mostly in Frontier AI lab, Foundation models and Robotics foundation models.
Deals
Frequently asked questions about SoftBank
What AI companies has SoftBank invested in?
SoftBank's AI investments include OpenAI and Skild AI. The 5 rounds on AI Lounge are listed on this page with amounts, dates and co-investors.
Where is SoftBank based?
SoftBank is based in Tokyo, JP.
What stage does SoftBank invest at?
In the rounds tracked on AI Lounge, SoftBank has invested at Growth, Series C and Series A, with a median round of $20B. SoftBank led 5 of those rounds.
Who does SoftBank co-invest with?
SoftBank's most frequent co-investors on AI Lounge are Nvidia (3 deals), Amazon (2 deals), Jeff Bezos (2 deals), MGX (1 deal) and Appaloosa Management (1 deal).
How can founders reach SoftBank?
Founders on AI Lounge can see SoftBank's contact details in AI Investor Contacts (paid plans), check for a warm introduction through members who worked with the firm under Warm Paths, and add SoftBank to their Investor Pipeline to track the conversation.