Business · Companies · 2 days ago
SoftBank seeks up to $100 billion from Gulf investors for AI
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is seeking up to $100 billion from investors in Gulf states to expand the company’s artificial intelligence investments.
He has held talks in recent weeks with officials and senior executives, including in the United Arab Emirates.
Son may use the money to create a fund that buys companies and applies AI and other advanced technology to improve their operations.
SoftBank’s robotics and physical AI division, Roze, is expected to play a key role in this plan.
The proposed fundraising comes as some investors question SoftBank’s exposure to the AI boom, especially after the delay of OpenAI’s expected stock market listing.
Son has made major AI investments, including a $65 billion investment in OpenAI, but his past bets have included high-profile failures such as WeWork.
Gulf investors have backed SoftBank before, including through its first $100 billion Vision Fund in 2017.
The talks may not lead to a successful fundraising, and no outcome has been announced.
SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to raise up to $100 billion from Gulf investors to expand the company’s investment in artificial intelligence.
Son has held talks in recent weeks with officials and senior executives, including in the United Arab Emirates.
The possible fundraising could finance a fund to buy companies and use AI and other advanced technologies to improve their operations.
SoftBank’s Roze robotics and physical AI division is expected to play a key role in the plan.
The talks may not succeed, and concerns about SoftBank’s exposure to the AI boom have led some investors to question its ability to invest more.
- Who
- SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is seeking the funds from Gulf investors.
- What
- He is seeking to raise up to $100 billion to expand SoftBank’s AI investments.
- When
- Son held talks in recent weeks; the reports were published on October 9, 2026.
- Where
- The talks include investors in the Gulf, including in the United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- SoftBank wants to expand its AI bet, potentially by buying companies and using AI and other advanced technologies to improve their operations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Mubadala and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund invested in SoftBank’s first $100 billion Vision Fund.
Son held talks with Gulf investors, including officials and executives in the United Arab Emirates, about possible fundraising.
SoftBank completed what the report described as its largest-ever high-yield bond issuance, with yields of up to 9.75%.
Reports said Son was seeking up to $100 billion from Gulf investors for SoftBank’s AI plans.
- Fundraising target
- Up to $100 billion
- Potential investors
- Gulf investors, including those in the United Arab Emirates
- SoftBank investment in OpenAI
- $65 billion
- First Vision Fund
- $100 billion, established in 2017
- Possible use of funds
- Create a fund to buy companies and improve their operations using AI and other advanced technologies
Sources
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