Masayoshi Son
Japan
Net Worth
$10B
Source of Wealth
SoftBank
Global Rank
#99 of 100
About Masayoshi Son
Masayoshi Son is the founder, chairman, and CEO of SoftBank Group, one of the world's most influential technology investment companies, and a visionary whose bold bets on the future of technology have reshaped entire industries. His audacious investment style, willingness to think in 300-year timeframes, and genuine belief that technology will solve humanity's greatest challenges have made him one of the most fascinating and impactful business leaders of the modern era. From his early investment in Alibaba to the creation of the Vision Fund, Son has consistently demonstrated an ability to see the future before others.
Born in Japan to ethnic Korean parents, Son overcame significant social challenges to become one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs. He moved to the United States at age 16, studied at UC Berkeley, and was deeply inspired by the potential of microprocessors after reading about them in a magazine. He returned to Japan and founded SoftBank in 1981, initially as a software distribution company. Through relentless ambition and an extraordinary ability to identify transformative technology trends, he built SoftBank into a global technology conglomerate with investments in hundreds of the world's most innovative companies.
Son's $20 million investment in Alibaba in 2000 — which grew to be worth over $100 billion — stands as one of the most successful venture investments in history. His creation of the $100 billion Vision Fund in 2017 was equally audacious, establishing the largest technology investment fund ever assembled and providing capital to hundreds of ambitious startups working on artificial intelligence, transportation, healthcare, and other frontier technologies. Son's unwavering optimism about technology's potential to improve human life and his willingness to make massive bets on that belief have made him a singular figure in global business.
Key Achievements
Alibaba Investment — Greatest VC Bet in History
Invested $20 million in Alibaba in 2000 that grew to be worth over $100 billion, widely considered the most successful venture capital investment ever made.
Built SoftBank into a Global Technology Empire
Grew SoftBank from a software distribution startup into one of the world's most influential technology investment companies with a portfolio spanning hundreds of companies.
Created the Vision Fund
Assembled the $100 billion SoftBank Vision Fund, the largest technology investment fund in history, providing transformative capital to hundreds of ambitious startups.
Japan's Digital Revolution Leader
Pioneered broadband internet adoption in Japan through Yahoo Japan and SoftBank's telecom operations, playing a central role in Japan's digital transformation.
ARM Holdings Acquisition
Acquired ARM Holdings for $32 billion in 2016, securing a strategic position in the semiconductor design industry that powers virtually every mobile device on Earth.
Notable Quotes
“I am not a genius. I just work very, very hard. And I have vision — I think about the next 30 years, the next 300 years.”
— Masayoshi Son
“In 30 years, artificial intelligence will have an IQ of 10,000. I believe this will be the biggest revolution in human history.”
— Masayoshi Son
“I invest in people who have a big vision and the capability to execute. The most important thing is the entrepreneur.”
— Masayoshi Son
Key Decisions
Founded SoftBank in Tokyo as a software distribution company, beginning a four-decade journey of building one of the world's most influential technology conglomerates.
Invested $100 million in Yahoo, marking SoftBank's entry into internet investing and establishing a partnership that created Yahoo Japan.
Made the legendary $20 million investment in Alibaba after a brief meeting with Jack Ma, trusting his instinct about the founder and the opportunity in Chinese e-commerce.
Acquired ARM Holdings for $32 billion, positioning SoftBank at the center of the global semiconductor ecosystem powering mobile and IoT devices.
Launched the $100 billion SoftBank Vision Fund, the largest technology investment fund in history, with backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and others.
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