INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
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SoftBank developed a robot call Pepper which the company says can read human
emotions
Japan's Softbank plans to list its mobile unit in Tokyo next month in what could be one of the world's largest
The 2.4 trillion yen ($21bn) float is part of Softbank's broader move away from telecoms towards tech investing.If demand triggers an
additional offering, the IPO could rival Alibaba's record $25bn listing
Led by Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, the firm has built up a high-profile portfolio of tech investments
"Over the last several years, Softbank has gradually been transforming away from telecommunication to more of a venture capital company,"
Marc Einstein, analyst at ITR Corporation in Tokyo said."What we are seeing now is a step in that direction," he said
What does Softbank doSoftbank began as a Japanese telecoms company but has since become a technology conglomerate through various deals and
The firm, run by Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, moved into robotics and developed the human-like Pepper in 2014.Some of its deals
with Saudi Arabia.Softbank has also shown an appetite for investments in ride-sharing, backing China's Didi Chuxing and South East Asian
It also has a large stake in Uber.It previously acquired Vodafone's Japanese operations and the US telecoms company Sprint.Self-driving
technologies have also attracted investment from Softbank, including a partnership with Toyota to develop transport services using
autonomous vehicles.Who is Masayoshi SonMr Son founded Softbank and has guided it to become one of the world's biggest technology
The entrepreneur - who is Japan's richest man according to Forbes - is known for having an eye for firms with big potential and for
spotting transformative industries and trends
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Masayoshi Son is Japan's richest man, according to Forbes
He
was an early investor in Chinese internet giant Alibaba and saw the potential in e-commerce before many others."He is kind of our Steve Jobs
[or] Bill Gates in Japan," Mr Einstein said
Mr Einstein said he was a sort of a "maverick", someone who acted quickly much in contrast to Japan's more conservative and deliberate
business culture."He has made more money than others in Japan but also lost more," Mr Einstein said
"He is seen as visionary and someone not afraid to take risk."But Mr Son attracted attention in recent weeks over his firm's ties to Saudi
Arabia through its Vision Fund
What is the Vision FundThe investment vehicle focuses on emerging technology and has around $90bn at its disposal
Saudia Arabia is the fund's major investor and other backers include Apple and Foxconn.The Vision Fund holds investments in WeWork, Slack
It has also invested in India e-commerce company Flipkart, robotics firm Brain Corp and vertical farming start-up Plenty in California.But
global outcry over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last month put Softbank's close relationship with Saudi Arabia in focus.Mr Son
was among a string of executives to withdraw from an investment forum in Riyadh last month in the wake of the journalist's disappearance
He later condemned the murder, but said his company must continue to work with Riyadh
Mr Einstein did not expect Softbank's links with the Saudi government to affect the performance of its upcoming IPO.Why is Softbank's
IPO significant Softbank aims to raise 2.4 trillion yen ($21bn) through the share listing
It will offer 1.6bn shares at a provisional price of 1,500 yen per share, according to reports
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Softbank's telecoms IPO is expected to raise $21bn
If market
demand is strong, it could trigger an "overallotment" of 240 billion yen, the reports said.With the additional allotment, the initial public
offering could come near to Alibaba's record $25bn IPO in 2014.The funds Softbank secures should fuel its next wave of tech investments
"They are going to raise lots of money with this IPO and they are going to invest in all sorts of tech companies all over the world," Mr
