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  • October 2018 (Revised February 2018)
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Masayoshi Son and the Vision Fund

By: Tom Nicholas, Ramana Nanda and Benjamin N. Roth
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:19
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Abstract

In October 2016, SoftBank Group Corp., the Japanese conglomerate giant caused a significant shock to the worldwide market for venture capital and private equity by announcing the Vision Fund, the largest tech investment fund in the world at close to $100 billion. The reputation of legendary SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son depended on the success of the Vision Fund, a considerable challenge given the difficulties associated with organizing a large pool of capital, investing at scale, and generating VC-style returns. By effectively anointing category leaders and deterring competitive entry, would the Vision Fund accelerate innovation or undermine the market forces that have typically produced social value by spurring rapid technological change?

Keywords

Strategy; Venture Capital; Private Equity; Entrepreneurship; Competitive Strategy

Citation

Nicholas, Tom, Ramana Nanda, and Benjamin N. Roth. "Masayoshi Son and the Vision Fund." Harvard Business School Case 819-041, October 2018. (Revised February 2018.)
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About The Authors

Tom Nicholas

Entrepreneurial Management
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Ramana Nanda

Entrepreneurial Management
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Benjamin N. Roth

Entrepreneurial Management
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Related Work

    • October 2018 (Revised February 2018)
    • Faculty Research

    Masayoshi Son and the Vision Fund

    By: Tom Nicholas, Ramana Nanda and Benjamin N. Roth
Related Work
  • Masayoshi Son and the Vision Fund By: Tom Nicholas, Ramana Nanda and Benjamin N. Roth
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