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In a surprising move, SoftBank Group, Japan’s second-largest company, has sold off its entire stake in Nvidia, the world’s most valuable semiconductor company, to fuel a massive investment spree in artificial intelligence, led by ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.
A Bold Bet on the Future of AI
SoftBank raised an impressive $5.83 billion from selling 32.1 million Nvidia shares in October, according to its latest quarterly earnings report. The company revealed that the sale is part of its broader “asset monetisation” plan, aimed at financing what it calls an “all-in investment” into OpenAI and other AI ventures.
The Tokyo-based conglomerate, led by visionary founder Masayoshi Son, plans to pour $30 billion into OpenAI this year, securing an 11% ownership stake in the ChatGPT creator.
SoftBank’s Chief Financial Officer Yoshimitsu Goto explained during an investor presentation: “We want to provide a lot of investment opportunities for investors while maintaining financial strength. Through those options and tools, we make sure we are ready for funding in a very safe manner.”
SoftBank also plans to use proceeds from its Nvidia and T-Mobile share sales, alongside a margin loan on its Arm Holdings stake, to fund these aggressive investments and acquire ABB’s robotics division, signaling a deepening focus on the future of intelligent automation.
A Full-Circle Moment for SoftBank and Nvidia
Interestingly, this marks SoftBank’s second exit from Nvidia. Its Vision Fund first invested about $4 billion in 2017, before fully divesting in 2019, right before Nvidia’s meteoric stock rise. Masayoshi Son later reflected on that decision, calling Nvidia the “fish that got away.”
Back then, SoftBank was Nvidia’s largest shareholder, owning 4.9% of the company. Now, six years later, Son’s renewed focus on AI suggests that he’s determined not to let the next “big fish”, OpenAI , slip away.
The Bigger Picture: Betting Everything on AI
This sweeping relocation highlights Masayoshi Son’s persistent faith in artificial intelligence. SoftBank, once burned by tech market volatility, now aims to rebuild its dominance by anchoring itself at the very centre of the global AI revolution.
The group’s recent restructuring, coupled with massive reinvestment in AI infrastructure, makes it clear that SoftBank is no longer just a telecom or tech investor, it’s transforming into a core player in the AI ecosystem that is shaping the next era of human progress.
Disclaimer:
The above article is based on publicly available financial reports and analyst commentary. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
Kangkan Kishor Sharma, an M.A. in Media and Journalism, serves as the Chief Contributor at NestOfNews.com. He contributes regularly, bringing insight, passion, and a deep commitment to delivering stories that truly matter. His work reflects a thoughtful understanding of media, storytelling, and the issues shaping today’s world.