SoftBank launches second Vision Fund

SoftBank Group is set to launch its second Vision Fund, with participation from major tech players including Apple, Foxconn and Microsoft.

The Vision Fund 2 will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) based technology, with about $108 billion in capital committed, according to the published memoranda of understandings. SoftBank’s own investment in the fund will be $38 billion and it is still in discussions with other potential participants, so the total size of the new fund is expected to increase.

So far, the second fund lists Apple, Foxconn Technology Group, Microsoft Corporation, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, MUFG Bank, The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, SMBC Nikko Securities, Daiwa Securities Group, National Investment Corporation of National Bank of Kazakhstan, Standard Chartered Bank and “major participants from Taiwan” as investors.

Softbank’s maiden Vision Fund, which was announced in October 2016 and began investing in early 2017, invested $97 billion in dozens of high-profile growing companies, including ride-hailing giants Didi Chuxing and Grab, and India-based grocery delivery startup Grofers, payments firm Paytm and budget lodging startup Oyo.

Known for consistently making investments of $100 million and over, the fund has invested in 24 of 377 unicorns - companies with valuation of $1 billion or more - globally, according to research firm CB Insights.

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