SoftBank Ventures Asia is the corporate venture capital arm of SoftBank Group specializes in investing in information technology, smart robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence companies that is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea and was founded in 2000.
According to the firms website they have invested in more than 250 companies, manage 15 investment funds, and have approximately $1.1 billion under management. SoftBank Ventures Asia focuses on investing in companies operating in Asia, but will also make investments in companies in the United States, Israel, and Europe. Major limited partners working with Softbank Ventures Asia include: SoftBank Group, LGU, Naver, Nexon, KVIC, KDB Bank, KB Insurance, NPS, and Nonghyup Bank. Notable investments made by SoftBank Ventures Asia include: PlaySight, Arraiy, Fishbrain, TwoXAR, Aldokter, Innoviz Technologies, Tokopedia, Hyperconnect, Snow China, Spoon Radio, Bepro11, Moka, Gauss Surgical, and Spyce.
In 2018 SoftBank Ventures Asia raised $27 million for their Global Opportunity Private Equity Fund.
In 2018 SoftBank Ventures Asia raised $27 million for their China Ventures Fund I.
In 2017 SoftBank Ventures Asia raised $27 million for their SB Global Champ Fund.
In 2016 SoftBank Ventures Asia raised $27 million for their SB Next Media Innovation Fund.
In 2015 SoftBank Ventures Asia raised $120 million for their SB Global Star Fund.
In 2014 SoftBank Ventures Asia raised $27 million for their SB Future Creation Naver-SB Fund.
In 2011 SoftBank Ventures Asia raised $87 million for their SB Pan-Asia fund.
On July 19, 2019 SoftBank Ventures Asia announced raising $270 million (317 billion won) for an investment fund focuses on investing in early-stage companies in Asia and around the world. South Korea's National Pension Service was a major investor in the firms $270 million venture fund.
Timeline
Funded Companies
A biopharmaceutical company using artificial intelligence for drug discovery and drug development of small molecules.
Company developing a machine learning platform for creating real-time special visual effects during live video capture
Mythic is a U.S-based artificial intelligence hardware and software company.
Zimperium is a San Francisco and Dallas-based cybersecurity and mobile security company founded in 2010 by Zuk Avraham.
Blueshift is an AI-powered customer engagement platform for B2C marketers and cross-channel marketing.
Innoviz is a leading manufacturer of high-performance, solid-state LiDAR sensors and perception software that enable the mass-production of autonomous vehicles.
Mathpresso is a Seoul-based company offering a mobile application which can answer questions from a picture.
Ajaib provides an online wealth management platform helping Indonesians protect and grow their money. It participated in the YC S18 cohort of Y Combinator.
LeaseLock is a company founded by Derek Merrill.
Pliops is a San Jose, California-based company founded by Uri Beitler.
People
Brian Hyeon-woo Cheong
Employee
Chase Chang
Employee
Cherry Thuy
Employee
Cindy Jin
Employee
Dongsuk Shin
Employee
Eunwoo Lee
Employee
ILSEOK (IAN) SUH
Employee
Jimmy Jihoon Rim
Employee
Minji Kim
Employee
Sherman Li
Employee
Sohit Miglani
Employee