Archive: SoftBank
FTX and the Crypto Regulations Still to Come
By Vin Narayanan on November 21, 2022
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks in the crypto market as it tries to sort through the fallout of crypto exchange FTX filing for bankruptcy. For a more detailed account of how it happened, please read this update I wrote for Early Investing members. Today, I’m focusing on how large-cap crypto investors should approach investing in the wake of the FTX mess,…
Angel Insider: SoftBank Warns Investors About Startup Winter
By Early Investing on August 23, 2022
SoftBank is worried. Earlier this month, SoftBank founder and chief executive Masayoshi Son said unicorn founders are refusing to accept lower valuations in fresh funding rounds. As a result, “startup winter” — or the funding crunch startups are currently facing in…
While VCs Struggle, Crowdfunders Are Coming Out on Top
By Andy Gordon on June 8, 2022
2022 has not been kind to SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son. He’s calling it a “technology winter.” And the numbers are certainly chilling for Son. SoftBank’s Vision Fund lost 2.64 trillion yen ($20.5 billion) for the year ending March 31. The previous year, it had made a…
Buybacks Are Bad for Shareholders
By Andy Gordon on May 12, 2021
My old nemesis SoftBank was in the news today. Thanks to some big bets paying off in its $100 billion Vision Fund, it posted a record $46 billion profit for the last fiscal year. I’m not impressed. In fact, I’ve never been a big…
SoftBank Is No Longer Getting a Pass
By Andy Gordon on January 8, 2020
SoftBank has a history of writing big checks for flawed startups. And it doesn’t seem to have learned its lesson.
News Fix: Who Watches the Watchers?
By Vin Narayanan on November 2, 2019
In the news this week: Colleges become legal battlegrounds for cannabis, China praises blockchain and the Fix ponders who watches the watchers.
News Fix: The Two-Minute Drill Version
By Vin Narayanan on October 26, 2019
In the news this week: Adam Neumann gets a hefty severance package, Indian startups have a record year and the Senate finally starts thinking about marijuana research.
Pre-IPO Investors Don’t Need to Worry About WeWork
By Adam Sharp on October 1, 2019
WeWork has been a disaster, especially for SoftBank. But fortunately for pre-IPO investors, it’s not really impacting the private startup markets.
Why We’re Looking for More Series A Startup Investments
By Andy Gordon on September 16, 2019
The First Stage Investor team is on the lookout for more Series A companies to recommend. And we’re also keeping an eye on escalating valuations.
News Fix: Binance Gets Dollar-Backed Stablecoin Approved
By Vin Narayanan on September 7, 2019
In the news this week: Binance’s stablecoin is approved by New York regulators, the marijuana industry ramps up its lobbying efforts and no one wants to buy WeWork shares.
News Fix: American Bar Association, Senators Ask Government for Clarity on Cannabis
By Allison Brickell on August 17, 2019
In the news this week: New York seals 350 marijuana records, the SEC delays decisions on bitcoin ETF proposals and a former Congressman says “I told you so.”
Venture Capital-Backed IPOs on Track to Raise Record Amount
By Allison Brickell on June 24, 2019
2019 is set to be a record year for venture capital-backed IPO raises.
Best of 2018: Startups
By Allison Brickell on December 26, 2018
We’re looking back at our favorite Early Investing reads of 2018. Today, we’re focused on startups.
Q&A: Understanding the Impact of Mega-Funds and Bitcoin Taxes
By Early Investing on October 7, 2018
The Early Investing team explains why mega-funds are bad for investors and why the IRS needs to change its bitcoin tax policy.
Startups Should Be Wary of SoftBank’s Approach to Venture Capitalism
By Andy Gordon on July 25, 2018
SoftBank is fond of writing big checks to fund startups. But founders should be wary. Big checks can come with big problems.