Masayoshi Son Net Worth: SoftBank’s CEO Who Will Invest $100 Billion

Masayoshi Son, the visionary founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, is one of the most ambitious figures in the world of technology and investments. With a real-time net worth of $33.3 billion as of December 17, 2024, Son ranks #53 globally, according to Forbes. Despite the fact that Masayoshi Son Net Worth is comparatively lower, the question remains: how does he manage investments worth $100 billion or more, and what is the purpose behind them?

Masayoshi Son’s Income & Salary

As one of the world’s highest-paid CEOs, Son is earning approximately $93 million annually, Masayoshi Son exemplifies strategic foresight. Alongside his salary, he receives $125 million annually in dividends from his SoftBank stake which significantly contributes to Masayoshi Net Worth.

What Do SoftBank Do?

SoftBank is a big Japanese company founded by Masayoshi Son in 1981. Son got the idea for SoftBank while studying in the U.S. He saw a picture of a microchip in a magazine, and that sparked his belief that personal computers were the future. After returning to Japan, he decided to create SoftBank with the idea of being a “software bank,” which would help support the growth of the new information age.

At first, SoftBank focused on selling software in Japan. But over time, the company grew and expanded into other areas like internet services, telecommunications, and investments in tech companies.

Son’s bold investment choices played a big role in SoftBank’s success, helping it become one of the most important tech companies globally.

Masayoshi Son’s Financial Rise

Masayoshi Son Net Worth originates from his leadership of SoftBank Group, a powerhouse in funding tech startups and revolutionizing telecommunications. His early ventures in PC software distribution and publishing laid the groundwork for his later successes.

However, his $20 million investment in Alibaba Group in 2000 became his most defining move, growing to a valuation of around $75 billion by 2014 after Alibaba’s IPO.

Earlier, SoftBank’s 27% stake in Alibaba, valued at $132 billion in 2018, became a financial cornerstone, enabling Son to pursue bold investments and expand SoftBank’s reach in the tech world.

Challenges in SoftBank’s Journey

However, SoftBank’s bold investment strategies are not without risks. The SoftBank Group reported loss in the fiscal year ending March 2023 due to declining startup valuations and challenging global economic conditions.

Companies like SenseTime Group and GoTo saw significant markdowns, contributing to SoftBank’s reduced market capitalization of $87.51 billion as of December 2024.

In response, SoftBank has adopted a more cautious approach, focusing on high-quality, sustainable investments to ensure future growth.

Funding $100 Billion Investments

Recently, SoftBank Group has announced plans to invest $100 billion in the United States over the next four years, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and related infrastructure projects such as chip manufacturing and data centers.

This initiative aims to create approximately 100,000 jobs, underscoring SoftBank’s commitment to bolstering the U.S. technology sector. The investment is expected to be sourced from various entities under SoftBank’s umbrella, including the Vision Fund and its majority-owned chip designer, Arm Holdings.

But, How Masayoshi Son’s Softbank Will Invest $100 Billion?

Masayoshi Son, the visionary leader behind SoftBank, plans to invest $100 billion in the U.S. over the next four years, with a focus on sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor manufacturing, and data infrastructure.

But, you may ask, Masayoshi Son Net Worth at $33 billion is so low compared to other tech moguls, then how he’ll do it? Well, Son has managed to achieve this ambitious investment strategy by leveraging SoftBank’s Vision Fund—one of the world’s largest venture capital funds.

The Vision Fund has successfully raised over $100 billion through strategic partnerships with sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and other key backers, which helps reduce SoftBank’s reliance on its own capital.

So the answer is, by diversifying funding sources and collaborating with influential partners, he has crafted a model that allows SoftBank to make large-scale investments while managing financial risk. Despite his comparatively modest personal wealth, Son’s innovative leadership and ability to mobilize significant external capital have made this massive investment plan a reality.