SoftBank Capital

{{Infobox company

| name = SoftBank Capital

| foundation = {{Start date|1995}}

| key_people =

| location = Newton, Massachusetts, United States[https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/content/ViewForm/crd_iapd_stream_pdf.aspx?ORG_PK=163118 SEC Form ADV]

| industry = Venture capital

| products = Investments

| assets =

| homepage = {{URL|http://www.softbank.com/}}

| num_employees =

}}

SoftBank Capital is a venture capital group in the United States, focusing on technology and telecom early stage businesses. It was founded by SoftBank.{{cite news |last=Rowley |first=Jason |date=August 9, 2017 |title=How SoftBank's $100B fund is in a league all its own |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/09/how-softbanks-100b-fund-is-in-a-league-all-its-own/ | work=TechCrunch |access-date=December 29, 2017}}{{Citation |last=Del Rey |first=Jason |date=July 16, 2015 |title=SoftBank Capital to Wind Down as Nikesh Arora Shifts Investing Strategy |publisher=Recode |url=https://www.recode.net/2015/7/16/11614756/softbank-capital-to-wind-down-as-nikesh-arora-shifts-investing |access-date=December 29, 2017 }}{{cite news |last=Shontell |first=Alyson |date=May 30, 2013 |title=SoftBank Capital Raises $53 Million Fund To Continue Investing In New York Startups |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/softbank-capital-raises-53-million-fund-to-continue-investing-in-new-york-startups-2013-5 | work=Business Insider |access-date=December 29, 2017}}{{cite news |last=Colao |first=J. J. |date=February 12, 2013 |title=Head East Young Startup: SoftBank Capital Wants To Take You To Asia |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jjcolao/2013/02/12/head-east-young-startup-softbank-capital-wants-to-take-you-to-asia/#d790508143ad | work=Forbes |access-date=December 29, 2017}} Since 2015 it does not actively make investments, but it continues to oversee its prior portfolio.

History

The investment branch of the Japanese telecom company, SoftBank Corp., the SoftBank Capital firm was established and initially led by four partners: Ron Fisher, Eric Hippeau, Steve Murray, and Michael Perlis. The company is a member of National Venture Capital Association.{{cn|date=December 2017}}

In November 2011, Mike Perlis stepped down as general partner at SoftBank Capital to become CEO of Forbes Media.{{cite news |last=Primack |first=Dan |date=January 7, 2011 |title=Softbank Capital on Perlis defection: No big deal |url=http://fortune.com/2011/01/07/softbank-capital-on-perlis-defection-no-big-deal/ | work=Fortune |access-date=December 29, 2017}}

In 2013, it created a $250 million growth fund for companies such as Alibaba and MediaTek.{{cite news |last=Zielenziger |first=David |date=February 7, 2013 |title=SoftBank Capital Creates $25OM Venture Capital Fund For 'Growth' Companies With Alibaba, MediaTek |url=http://www.ibtimes.com/softbank-capital-creates-25om-venture-capital-fund-growth-companies-alibaba-mediatek-1070248 | work=IBT |access-date=December 29, 2017}}

SoftBank Capital was closed by SoftBank in 2015.{{cite news |date=July 17, 2015 |title=SoftBank to shut down venture capital arm: report |url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/rCVHvx2GglnyKdVDhcpkPI/SoftBank-to-shut-down-venture-capital-arm-report.html | work=livemint |access-date=December 29, 2017}} Although not making active investments, as of late 2017 it continued to oversee its prior portfolio.{{Citation |title=About Us |url=https://www.softbankvc.com/about-us.php |quote=Capital is not currently making investments into new portfolio companies but remains passionately committed to its existing investments by providing counsel, advice, recruiting candidates, business development contacts, and follow on investment support.|access-date=December 29, 2017 }}

SoftBank Capital

History

See also