SoftBank鈥檚 Vision Fund Posts $1.7B Loss

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SoftBank鈥檚 Vision Fund Posts $1.7B Loss

November 9, 2023

Illustration of liquid draining from paper money.

Chris Metinko

鈥檚 once-heralded unit posted a $1.7 billion loss for the most recent quarter ended in September, in part due to the writing down of its stake in now-bankrupt .

The loss comes after the investing giant posted its first gain in six quarters in August.

Softbank Group as a whole poised a loss of about $6.2 billion.

Shifting strategies

About four months ago, an emotional told investors that SoftBank, the multinational investment holding behemoth he leads, would again shift from 鈥渄efense mode鈥� as it looks to be a leader in AI and robotics.

While SoftBank has seemingly made a shift to 鈥渙ffense mode,鈥� its famed Vision Fund 鈥� known for its investment in startups including and 鈥� has been relatively quiet.

Late last month it was reported SoftBank itself was looking at leading a $75 million to $100 million round for Norway-based robotics startup at a $375 million pre-investment valuation.

Before that, SoftBank is considering investing in creator or one of its competitors.

Also in September, SoftBank Group is backing Pittsburgh-based autonomous trucking startup with more than $1 billion.

SoftBank and its affiliates also recently led a $280 million funding round for San Francisco-based location-mapping startup , which is incorporating AI to push automated driving and safety.

There have been Masayoshi Son 鈥� armed with cash from U.K. chip designer 鈥� IPO 鈥� has moved to a different investment project from the Vision Fund codenamed 鈥淧roject R,鈥� which is looking for deals in warehouse automation, AI and robotics companies.