Understanding the Vision Fund and Its Impact

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Illustration of a trolley filled with gold coins symbolizing funds and investment future.
Credit: pexels.com, Illustration of a trolley filled with gold coins symbolizing funds and investment future.

The Vision Fund is a significant player in the venture capital world, backed by the likes of SoftBank, a Japanese conglomerate.

It was founded in 2016 by Masayoshi Son, SoftBank's CEO, with the goal of investing in cutting-edge technologies like AI and robotics.

The fund has a massive $100 billion war chest, making it one of the largest venture capital funds in the world.

This enormous scale allows the Vision Fund to take bold bets on companies that might otherwise be too risky for smaller investors.

The fund's first major investment was in Uber, a ride-hailing company that has since become a household name.

The Vision Fund's influence can be seen in its ability to drive growth and innovation in the companies it invests in.

For more insights, see: Vision Fund World Vision

History of Vision Fund

The Vision Fund was created in 2014 by Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank, with an initial investment of $25 billion.

The fund's first major investment was in Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce company, which was valued at $18.5 billion at the time.

Credit: youtube.com, VisionFund: Our Mission

SoftBank's investment in Alibaba was a huge success, with the company's valuation increasing to over $1 trillion in 2019.

The Vision Fund's investment in Uber was also a significant one, with SoftBank investing $9.3 billion in the ride-hailing company.

This investment was part of a larger funding round that valued Uber at $72 billion, making it one of the most valuable startups in the world at the time.

The Vision Fund's investment in Uber helped the company expand its operations and improve its services, leading to significant growth and increased valuation.

The Vision Fund has also invested in other notable companies, including Slack, a communication platform, and WeWork, a shared office space company.

These investments have helped these companies expand their operations and improve their services, leading to significant growth and increased valuation.

The Vision Fund's investments have also had a significant impact on the tech industry as a whole, with many companies following in its footsteps and seeking out large-scale investments to fuel their growth.

Vision Fund Overview

Credit: youtube.com, VisionFund Presents: World Vision Micro - An Overview

The Vision Fund is a valuable resource for businesses looking to expand or locate in the Bismarck Region. It aims to create new jobs, expand the regional tax base, and increase capital investment.

To be eligible, businesses must have a proven financial record or an acceptable financial projection, and demonstrate that they will create new full-time jobs. This is a crucial factor in determining funding approval.

The Vision Fund will not provide temporary or permanent financing for retail activities that already exist within the region, nor will it be used as a substitute for venture capital or to restructure existing debt.

Softbank Posts Blowout Gains at Tech Arm

Softbank's Vision Fund has been a game-changer for the company, posting a 44% return on investment in just two years.

The fund's success can be attributed to its focus on high-growth companies, with a portfolio that includes some of the world's most valuable startups.

Credit: youtube.com, SoftBank joins top corporate earners with $37 billion Vision Fund profit

Masayoshi Son, Softbank's CEO, has been instrumental in the fund's success, bringing his expertise in investing in emerging technologies to the table.

The Vision Fund has also been successful in part due to its strategic partnerships with other investors, such as Apple and Microsoft.

Softbank's investment in Uber was a key factor in the ride-hailing company's successful IPO.

The Vision Fund's investments in companies like Slack and DoorDash have also paid off, with both companies seeing significant growth in value.

Softbank's Vision Fund has been a major player in the tech industry, investing in companies that are shaping the future of technology.

Overview

The Vision Fund is a program designed to help businesses expand or locate in the Bismarck Region. It aims to create new jobs, expand the regional tax base, and increase capital investment.

The primary goal of the Vision Fund is to encourage entrepreneurship and economic growth in the region. To achieve this, the fund provides financial assistance to businesses that meet certain criteria.

Credit: youtube.com, Vision Fund 2.0 Starts Life Small

The Vision Fund is managed by SoftBank Investment Advisers and SoftBank Global Advisors, both subsidiaries of the SoftBank Group. They have a team that evaluates and selects companies for investment.

The fund is not a substitute for venture capital, and it won't be used to restructure existing debt or save existing jobs. It's meant to support new businesses and projects that meet specific eligibility criteria.

SoftBank Investment Advisers is headquartered in London, with additional main offices in Silicon Valley and Tokyo.

Here's an interesting read: Softbank Vision Fund Performance

Notable Investments and Technology Development

SoftBank Vision Fund's notable investments are a who's who of tech giants and innovative startups. Here are some of the fund's most notable investments:

  • 10x Genomics
  • Arm Ltd.
  • Automation Anywhere
  • Balyo
  • ByteDance
  • C2FO
  • Chime (company)
  • Cohesity
  • Compass
  • Coupang
  • Cruise
  • DiDi
  • Digits
  • DoorDash
  • eToro
  • Fanatics
  • Flipkart
  • Flexport
  • FTX
  • Fungible Inc.
  • Getaround
  • Grab
  • Improbable
  • Kabbage
  • Katerra
  • Klarna
  • Lenskart
  • Mapbox
  • Nuro
  • Nvidia
  • OneWeb
  • Opendoor
  • OurCrowd
  • Oyo Rooms
  • Ping An Good Doctor
  • PolicyBazaar
  • Rappi
  • Revolut
  • Roivant Sciences
  • Slack
  • Swiggy
  • The Hut Group
  • Tractable (company)
  • Uber
  • Unacademy
  • View, Inc.
  • Wag
  • WeWork
  • ZhongAn
  • Zume
  • Zymergen

The Vision Fund's investment strategy is focused on deploying "patient capital" over the medium to long term, with annual returns expected to be in excess of $15 billion. This approach allows the fund to invest in a wide range of areas, including the Internet of things, communications infrastructure and networks, cloud technology, mobile applications, broadband businesses, financial technology, and robotics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the vision fund?

SoftBank Group Corp owns the Vision Fund, a venture capital fund established in 2017.

What does VisionFund do?

VisionFund provides microloans, savings, and insurance services to help families and children escape poverty, working together with strong partnerships to make a lasting impact

Is Vision Fund profitable?

Yes, Vision Fund reported significant gains of 373 billion yen, driven by strong IPO performances and key investments. This indicates the fund's profitability, but more details are available upon further review.

Is Vision Fund part of World Vision?

Yes, VisionFund is a microfinance services provider of World Vision, a global Christian humanitarian organization. It offers small loans and financial services to rural entrepreneurs worldwide.

Maggie Morar

Senior Assigning Editor

Maggie Morar is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in business and finance, she has developed a unique expertise in covering investor relations news and updates for prominent companies. Her extensive experience has taken her through a wide range of industries, from telecommunications to media and retail.

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