History
2021: Launch of a $3 billion fund to invest in technology startups
On September 14, 2021, SoftBank announced the launch of a $3 billion fund to invest in technology companies. The initiative called SoftBank Latin America Fund II is designed to support projects in Latin America.
After an unsuccessful period in 2019, the culmination of which was disrupted, IPO WeWork SoftBank again became a major technology investor around the world and is now betting on the region of Latin America, in which the number of valuable companies is growing.
Softbank led a number of large investments, trying to leave behind its role in the WeWork crisis. In August 2021, the company invested $200 million in the Whoop digital fitness tracker and $650 million in the Indian educational technology company Eruditus. The company also participated in the financing of the Fanatics sports online store in the amount of $325 million.
According to the company, the net internal profit rate (IRR) of this fund was 85%, while the SoftBank invested $3.5 billion in 48 companies with a value of $6.9 billion as of June 30, 2021. SoftBank invested in startups such as proptech QuintoAndar, Rappi, Mercado Bitcoin, Gympass and MadeiraMadeira. The company was also one of the organizers of the D series in the amount of $350 million in the Argentinean application for managing personal finances Ualá.
Marcelo Claure, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of SoftBank Group, led SoftBank Latin America Funds II. Managing partners Shu Nyatta and Paulo Passoni lead the region's investment team.
 | SoftBank Will continue to stimulate the adoption of technologies that will benefit hundreds of millions of people in this part of the world. After all, in Latin America there is so much innovation and change that business opportunities are more great than ever. Latin America is an essential part of our strategy, which is why we are expanding our presence and doubling our obligations with Marcelo at the head, "said SoftBank Chief Executive Officer Masayoshi Son. |  |
The Fund itself intends to support technology companies from different countries and industries at all stages of their development, from sowing to public, throughout Latin America, paying special attention to e-commerce, digital financial services, healthcare, education, blockchain and corporate software (software).
Marcelo Claure said the success and profitability of SoftBank Latin America Fund I far exceeded the company's expectations. SoftBank Looking ahead, he expects 2022 to be the largest IPO year in history for the Latin American region.[1]
Notes
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