Apple is considering the possibility to invest up to $ 1 billion in technology development fund SoftBank Vision Fund Japanese telecommunications company SoftBank, reports The Wall Street Journal, citing a source close to the situation.The results of the negotiations are not yet known, but such a deal could combine the most expensive company in the world with the largest single investor, the newspaper said. Through a contribution to the fund SoftBank Apple hopes to gain access to information about new developments in the field of innovative technologies.
Founded in Tokyo in 1981, today SoftBank has accumulated vast experience in investment in information and telecommunication technologies. In particular, it was one of the first investors in Yahoo! – this project was very successful and brought SoftBank handsome profit in the early 2000s.
In 2000, SoftBank has invested $ 20 million in the business of Jack Ma, e-commerce-company Alibaba, becoming the largest shareholder with 32.2% stake. this share is worth about $ 65 billion In the current capitalization of the Chinese giant.
In 2006, SoftBank bought mobile operator Vodafone Japan for $ 17 billion. The following year, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, and in 2008 the newly acquired asset telecom SoftBank Apple became the exclusive partner in Japan. The Corporation is also a major shareholder in Yahoo! Japan, which is now worth $ 25.22 billion. The share of SoftBank is about 35%.
In 2012, the Corporation acquired a 78% stake in US operator Sprint for $ 21.6 billion, and then brought the share to 80%. In 2013, the Japanese company has made another large purchase. She bought 51% stake in the developer of the game Clash Of Clans, Finnish Supercell, for $ 2.1 billion, then increased its share to 73.2%.
It is expected that the total amount of technological investment fund SoftBank will reach $ 100 billion. The company itself will invest $ 25 billion over five years. In October 2016 the company has also signed a memorandum with the State Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia will be the lead partner and invests in the fund to $ 45 billion over five years.
Information about a possible investment agreement between the two companies appeared after 6 December the head of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son met with the newly elected US Donald Trump president, which said it will invest $ 50 billion in the development of business in the United States and to create there to 50 thousand. Jobs .
Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia may invest in the initiative to $ 45 billion over five years, while SoftBank expects to invest at least $ 25 billion in mutual fund according to the statement of the Japanese company.
Other major investors are in talks on possible participation, after which the overall size of the fund could grow to $ 100 billion. At the same time interested in the deal, investors preferred to remain anonymous.
“In connection with the creation of the Vision Fund SoftBank we can increase investment in technology companies throughout the world in the next decade SoftBank fund may become the largest investor in the technology sector.”, – Said the head of Softbank Masayoshi San. The Fund will be managed by a subsidiary of SoftBank, located in the UK.