SoftBank Group Corp. history, company profile (overview) and history video
SoftBank Group Corp. (ソフトバンクグループ株式会社) is a global investment company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
The name “SoftBank” literally means “a bank of software”. Software is called “soft” in Japanese, and “bank” was chosen based on the company’s aspiration to be a key source of infrastructure for the information society.
OPERATIONS
SoftBank Group operates through the following business segments: Investment Business of Holding Companies, SoftBank Vision Funds, SoftBank, Arm, and Other.
Investment Business of Holding Companies
The Investment Business of Holding Companies segment consists of SoftBank Group, SoftBank Group Capital Limited, SoftBank Group Japan Corporation, the asset management subsidiary SB Northstar, and other subsidiaries engaged in investment and financing activities. This segment has over 110 portfolio companies, including Alibaba, T-Mobile, and Deutsche Telekom AG, as well as investees of SB Northstar.
SoftBank Vision Funds
The SoftBank Vision Funds segment includes the investment activities of SVF1, SVF2, and SoftBank Latin America Funds (LatAm Funds). SoftBank Vision Fund (SVF) 1 and 2 focus on investments in tech companies, particularly in private companies valued at over $1 billion at the time of investment, colloquially known as “unicorns”.
SoftBank
The SoftBank segment engages in the provision of mobile communications services, sale of mobile devices, provision of broadband and other fixed-line communications services in Japan, provision of communication device-related products and IoT equipment, provision of payment and financial services, and provision of Internet advertising and e-commerce services.
SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”) offers products and services that use the latest technology, including AI, IoT, and robotics.
Arm
The Arm segment focuses on the design of microprocessor intellectual property and related technologies, as well as selling software tools and providing software services. As one of the leading companies in semiconductor technologies, Arm focuses on artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, the Internet of Things (IoT), and augmented reality.
Other
The Other segment consists of Fortress Investment Group, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS, and SoftBank Robotics Group.
Fortress Investment Group is a diversified global investment company that manages assets on behalf of institutional clients and private investors worldwide across a range of credit and real estate, private equity and permanent capital investment strategies.
Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS owns the Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS professional baseball team and engages in the operation of baseball games, the management and maintenance of a baseball stadium and other sports facilities, and the distribution of visual, audio and data content via various media platforms.
SoftBank Robotics Group is a holding company that oversees the robotics business in the SoftBank Group. It is one of the leading companies in the industry in the technology field, being engaged in developing and researching robotic products. The companies within the group provide robotics-related products/services and AI technology, such as humanoid robots “Pepper” and “NAO,” as well as “Whiz” equipped with self-driving technology.
HISTORY
SoftBank’s history began in 1981 when Masayoshi Son created SOFTBANK Corp. Japan to distribute PC software throughout Japan.
In 1982, the company entered the publishing business by launching Oh! PC and Oh! MZ.
In 1990, SOFTBANK Corp. Japan changed its name to SoftBank Corp.
In 1994, SoftBank Holdings Inc. was established in the U.S.
Between 1994 – 1996, SoftBank acquired, through SoftBank Holdings Inc., the events division of Ziff Communications Company, the exhibition department of The Interface Group, which operated “COMDEX,” the world’s largest computer trade show, and Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., a publisher of PC WEEK.
In 1996, SoftBank Corp. established Yahoo Japan Corporation through a joint investment with Yahoo! Inc. in the U.S.
In 1998, SoftBank Corp. was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In 2000, SoftBank invested in Alibaba.com Corporation (currently Alibaba Group Holding Limited).
In 2001, through its investment in BB Technologies Corporation, SoftBank launched Yahoo! BB, a broadband commercial service using ADSL, offering cheaper and faster access to the Internet in Japan.
In July 2004, SoftBank acquired JAPAN TELECOM CO., LTD (currently SoftBank Corp.) and entered the fixed-line telecommunications business.
In December 2004, SoftBank Group introduced its new corporate logo comprised of double lines.
The double line from the logo represents the “= (equal)” sign, symbolizing the SoftBank Group as a driver of the Information Revolution. It represents that the SoftBank Group has an “answer” it can provide to customers to help solve the various problems the world faces.
The logo of SoftBank is designed based on the flag of the Kaientai, a shipping company founded in 1865 by Sakamoto Ryoma. The Kaientai sailed boldly forward through turbulent seas, giving everything to achieve their goal, and led a revolution that resulted in the modernization of Japan, by rejecting the age-worn feudalistic values in favor of free thinking and bold action.
The SoftBank Group draws inspiration from the Kaientai group and shares a similar Kokorozashi (Mission), to sail through turbulent waters and become a driver of the Information Revolution.
In 2005, following the acquisition of Fukuoka Daiei HAWKS, SoftBank formed Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS, thus entering into professional baseball.
In 2006, SoftBank acquired Vodafone K.K. (Vodafone Japan) and entered mobile communications, which it rebranded as SoftBank Mobile Corp. (current SoftBank Corp.).
In 2008, SoftBank Mobile Corp. became the exclusive provider of iPhone 3G in Japan.
In 2011, SB Energy (currently Terras Energy Corporation) was established to promote the adoption of renewable energy in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck on March 11, 2011.
In 2013, SoftBank Group acquired the U.S.-based company Sprint, and became a telecommunications operator with one of the largest customer bases in the U.S. and Japan.
In 2014, SoftBank Mobile Corp. and ALDEBARAN Robotics SAS (current Aldebaran) announced the release of Pepper – the world’s first humanoid robot that could recognize human faces and emotions.
In 2015, SoftBank Corp. changed its name to SoftBank Group Corp., and SoftBank BB Corp., SoftBank Telecom Corp. and Ymobile Corporation (eAccess and WILLCOM) merged into SoftBank Mobile Corp., which was renamed SoftBank Corp.
In 2016, SoftBank Group Corp. acquired UK-based ARM Holdings, one of the leading companies in semiconductor technology.
In 2017, SoftBank Vision Fund was established to invest in innovative technologies.
In 2018, SoftBank Corp., the telecommunications business of the SoftBank Group Corp., was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
In 2019, the SoftBank Vision Fund 2 was launched to invest in market-leading, tech-enabled growth companies.
In 2020, the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile US was completed, and SoftBank Group Corp. divested a portion of its shares in the new combined company T-Mobile.
In July 2020, SoftBank Group Corp. established SB Coronavirus Inspection Center Corp. to provide saliva PCR testing to local governments and private companies at low price, charging only the actual cost.
GROUP COMPANIES
Investment Business of Holding Companies
- SoftBank Group Capital Limited – Holding company;
- SoftBank Group Japan Corporation – Holding company;
- SB Group US, Inc. – Management of overseas investment;
- Shiodome Project 9 GK – Holding company;
- Skywalk Finance GK – Holding company;
- West Raptor Holdings, LLC – Holding company;
- SB Pan Pacific Corporation – Holding company;
- STARFISH I PTE. LTD. – Holding company;
- Hayate Corporation – Holding company;
- SB Northstar LP – Investment in listed stocks and other financial instruments.
SoftBank Vision Funds
- SB Investment Advisers (UK) Limited – Management of SoftBank Vision Fund 1;
- SB Global Advisers Limited – Management of SoftBank Vision Fund 2;
- WeWork Inc. – Provision of flexible workspace;
- SoftBank Vision Fund L.P. – Investment fund in the technology sector;
- SoftBank Vision Fund II-2 L.P. – Investment fund in the technology sector.
SoftBank
- SoftBank Corp. – Provision of mobile communications services; sale of mobile devices; provision of broadband communications services and solution services in Japan;
- A Holdings Corporation – Holding company of shares of Z Holdings Corporation;
- Z Holdings Corporation – Management of group companies of Z Holdings Corporation:
- Z Intermediate Holdings Corporation – Holding company;
- Yahoo Japan Corporation – Internet advertising and e-commerce business;
- LINE Corporation – Provision of services of communication, content and advertisements based on the mobile messenger application LINE;
- LINE SOUTHEAST ASIA CORP.PTE.LTD. – Holding company;
- ValueCommerce Co., Ltd. – Affiliate advertising marketing service; StoreMatch online advertising distribution service;
- ZOZO, Inc. – Planning and operation of fashion e-commerce website; operational support of brands’ own e-commerce website; operation of fashion coordination app;
- PayPay Bank Corporation – Banking;
- ASKUL Corporation – Mail-order sale of stationery and services;
- DEMAE-CAN CO., LTD – Operation of food delivery service Demae-can.
- PayPay Corporation – Smartphone payment business;
- Cybertrust Japan Co., Ltd. – IoT business, certification service business, security solution business, and Linux / OSS business;
- SB Technology Corp. – Solutions and services for online businesses;
- ITmedia Inc. – Operation of comprehensive IT information site ITmedia;
- Vector Inc. – PC software downloads and advertising;
- eMnet Japan.co.ltd. – Internet advertising agency business;
- Geniee, Inc. – Advertising technology business;
- C Channel Corporation – E-commerce business; internet advertising and marketing.
Arm
- Arm Limited – Design of microprocessor intellectual property and related technology; sale of software tools and provision of related services;
- Arm PIPD Holdings One, LLC – Holding company;
- Arm PIPD Holdings Two, LLC – Holding company.
Others
- Fortress Investment Group LLC – Alternative investment management business;
- Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Corp. – Ownership of professional baseball team; operation of baseball games; management and maintenance of baseball stadium and other sports facilities; distribution of video, voice, and data content via media;
- SoftBank Ventures Asia Corp. – Management of fund in Asia;
- SoftBank Robotics Group Corp. – Holding company.
*Information from Forbes.com, Wikipedia.org, and www.softbank.jp/en.
**Video published on YouTube by “Companies History“.
