Masayoshi Son: an inspiring and visionary path in the tech world

Masayoshi Son is a Japanese entrepreneur and investor known for his bold vision, high-risk investment strategies, and pivotal role in the global technology industry. Founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, Son has positioned himself as one of the most influential figures in the transformation of telecommunications and technology entrepreneurship in Asia and beyond.

Early life and education

Born on August 11, 1957, in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan, Masayoshi Son is the son of Korean immigrants and grew up in a humble household. From an early age, he showed a strong interest in technology and innovation. At just 16 years old, he moved to the United States to pursue his studies, first attending Holy Names University and later transferring to the University of California, Berkeley. There, he studied economics and developed his first technological inventions.

During his time at Berkeley, he created a pocket translator that he later sold to Sharp Corporation for $1 million — an early sign of his entrepreneurial drive and ability to identify emerging market needs.

The rise of SoftBank

In 1981, at the age of 24, Son founded SoftBank in Japan. Initially focused on software distribution, the company quickly expanded into other areas such as publishing, broadband, e-commerce, and mobile communications. Under Son’s leadership, SoftBank evolved into a conglomerate with interests in numerous technology-related sectors.

One of his most iconic moves came in 2000, when SoftBank invested $20 million in Alibaba Group. That stake eventually became one of the most profitable investments in tech history, turning SoftBank into a global venture capital powerhouse.

The Vision Fund and high-stakes investments

In 2017, Masayoshi Son launched the SoftBank Vision Fund, a $100 billion investment fund backed by major partners including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala. The fund focused on artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech, and the internet of things, making major investments in companies such as Uber, WeWork, ARM, and DoorDash.

While some investments like Alibaba were wildly successful, others — most notably WeWork — led to serious scrutiny. Son’s approach, often described as aggressive and visionary, has earned him both praise and criticism. Despite setbacks, he remains committed to bold investments as a path to shaping the future of technology.

Visionary leadership and personal philosophy

Masayoshi Son is known for his long-term thinking and his obsession with the future. He has repeatedly stated that his decisions are guided not by short-term profit but by a desire to reshape society through innovation. His philosophy embraces calculated risk and the power of technology to improve human life.

He also emphasizes resilience, noting that he has experienced major failures — including near-bankruptcy after the dot-com bubble burst — but has always rebounded stronger.

Legacy and influence

Today, Masayoshi Son is regarded as a key figure in the globalization of tech entrepreneurship. Through SoftBank and its Vision Funds, he has helped scale dozens of startups into unicorns and has pushed the boundaries of venture capital.

Despite criticism and volatility, Son’s legacy lies in his unwavering belief in technology’s transformative power and his ability to bet — often before anyone else — on trends that later become global revolutions.

His story is not just that of a businessman, but of a dreamer who sees the world not as it is, but as it could be — and dares to invest in that vision.