CB-Insights-软银的未来（英）-2021.8-21页_924kb

SoftBank Group Investment Summary (2021)

Core Content

SoftBank Group, led by Masayoshi Son, has experienced a significant turnaround in 2021, achieving record profits after heavy losses in 2020. The company is increasing its investment volume, aiming to triple its previous levels. This shift reflects a strategic focus on emerging technologies and a broader ecosystem of disruptive startups.

Main Investment Strategy

SoftBank continues to invest in a diverse range of sectors, with a strong emphasis on technology-driven innovation. Its investment strategy is centered around supporting startups that can scale and disrupt traditional industries, leveraging data and expert insights to guide decisions.

Key Investment Areas in 2021

Retail & Consumer

• 35 investments, the most popular sector in 2021.
• Food & Grocery Delivery:
  • Backed Gopuff with $1.15B (Series G) and $1B (Series H).
  • Invested in Swiggy (India), Rappi (Colombia), Dingdong Maicai (China), Oda (Norway), and Kitopi (UAE).
• E-Commerce:
  • Supported marketplaces like Yanolja (hotel accommodations) and MadeiraMadeira (home goods).
  • Backed "Amazon market jockeys" such as Perch and GlobalBees.
• Fitness & Wellness Tech:
  • Invested in Gympass (in-person gyms) and digital fitness brands Keep and Tempo.
• EdTech:
  • Supported startups like Riid, Unacademy, and Go1, which digitize traditional in-person services such as tutoring and test prep.
• Fintech:
  • 26 investments, second most frequent.
  • Financial Services for Businesses:
    • Konfio (business credit and lending), Human Interest (401K plans for SMBs), and Clearco (growth capital for small businesses).
  • Blockchain & Crypto Fin Services:
    • Largest fintech deal was FTX's $900M Series B-II.
    • Backed Hashdex, Mercado Bitcoin, and O3 Labs.
  • Digital Banking:
    • Invested in Revolut, Greenwood (targeting underserved communities), M1 Finance, Zeta, and Afriex.
• Enterprise:
  • Invested in 24 companies offering IT, cloud, cybersecurity, HR, and general enterprise software.
  • Focused on AI applications, with SambaNova Systems and Alinnovation as key examples.
  • Supported cybersecurity firms like Cybereason and Lumu.
• Healthcare:
  • Invested in 16 companies, including those focused on drug discovery and robotic surgery.
  • Notable investments: Insitro, Deep Genomics, Exscientia, and CMR Surgical (raised $600M Series D).
• Other Categories:
  • Industrial & Manufacturing: Formlabs, The Little Bear (Xiaopangxiong).
  • Auto & Mobility: Carro (used car marketplace), Cobli (fleet tracking).
  • Supply Chain & Logistics: Forto (logistics), Loggi (shipping).
  • Media & Entertainment: Iyuno-SDI Group.
  • Satellite Connectivity: OneWeb.

Historical Investment Trends (2018–2020)

• E-Commerce & Logistics:
  • Invested in 22 companies, including Coupang (South Korea) and Tokopedia (Indonesia).
  • Notable exits: Brandless (ceased operations), 10X Genomics (IPO).
• Fintech:
  • Invested in Konfio, Greensill, and Clip.
  • Focused on Latin America due to the $5B Innovation Fund.
• Auto/Mobility:
  • Invested in 12 companies, including Uber and Grab.
  • Pivoted towards autonomous vehicle startups like Nuro and participated in Toyota and DENSO's investment in Uber ATG.
• Enterprise:
  • Invested in 12 companies, including Automation Anywhere and Fetch Robotics.
• Healthcare:
  • Invested in 8 companies, including Alto Pharmacy and 10X Genomics.

Key Insights

• SoftBank's investment strategy has evolved to focus on scalability, diversification, and technology disruption.
• Despite past setbacks (e.g., WeWork, Uber), the firm continues to seek returns through strategic bets in high-growth sectors.
• The company is actively supporting startups in emerging markets, particularly in Latin America.
• SoftBank is leveraging its capital and expertise to build a comprehensive ecosystem of tech-driven brands.

Additional Reading

• The report is based on data from CB Insights' Technology Insights Platform, which offers tools such as:
  • Earnings Transcripts Search Engine & Analytics
  • Patent Analytics
  • Company Mosaic Scores
  • Business Relationships
  • Market Sizing Tools
• Interested parties can sign up for a free trial to access more detailed data and insights.