SoftBank’s AI Portfolio: Startups Backed by the Vision Fund (2025 Tracker)
This tracker highlights SoftBank’s Vision Fund's biggest investments in foundation models, robotics, and deep tech AI companies.
Last updated: [April, 2025]
This page is updated monthly to reflect the evolving portfolio of one of AI’s biggest investors.
About SoftBank’s Vision Fund in AI
SoftBank has been a major force in AI investing, backing foundational model companies, robotics ventures, and infrastructure players. With renewed focus in 2025, the Vision Fund is doubling down on capital-intensive, high-reward bets — from autonomous systems to large language models.
| Category | # of Startups | Notable Investments |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Models (GenAI) | 2 | OpenAI, Zhipu AI |
| Biotech / Healthcare AI | 2 | Isomorphic Labs, Lila Sciences |
| AI Infrastructure (Cloud) | 1 | CoreWeave |
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Featured Portfolio Highlights
1. OpenAI
- Round: $40B Private Funding (Mar 2025)
- Valuation: Estimated $90B
- Sector: Foundation Models / GenAI
- What They Do: Developer of GPT models and ChatGPT platform
- Why It Matters: Largest private tech deal in history — signals SoftBank's full confidence in foundation model winners.
2. Isomorphic Labs
- Round: $600M Series A (Mar 2025)
- Valuation: Undisclosed
- Sector: AI Drug Discovery / Biotech
- What They Do: AI-first platform for protein folding and drug development (DeepMind spin-out)
- Why It Matters: SoftBank co-led with Thrive Capital. Part of a biotech AI thesis betting on early-stage, science-based disruption.
3. CoreWeave
- Round: $1.5B IPO (Mar 2025)
- Valuation: Public
- Sector: AI Cloud Infrastructure
- What They Do: Provider of GPU compute for AI developers
- Why It Matters: Pre-IPO backer. SoftBank’s bet here aligns with its broader AI infra and picks-and-shovels approach.
4. Zhipu AI (China)
- Round: $137M (2025)
- Sector: Chinese LLMs / Foundation Models
- What They Do: Developer of large language models tailored for Chinese language and enterprise use
- Why It Matters: SoftBank is one of few Western-aligned firms active in Chinese AI; this represents global hedging and market capture.
5. Lila Sciences
- Round: $200M Seed (Mar 2025)
- Sector: Scientific AI / Autonomous Research
- What They Do: AI-powered R&D lab building tools for experimental automation
- Why It Matters: Backed by Flagship and SoftBank — aligned with the thesis that AI will accelerate hard science and lab work.
📈 Signals & SoftBank’s Strategy
- Mega-round magnet: SoftBank leads or joins deals $200M+ and targets capital-intensive AI categories.
- Cross-sector coverage: From biotech to cloud to LLMs — SoftBank's AI bets are horizontal.
- Repeat partnerships: Frequently co-invests with Microsoft, Thrive, Flagship, and Middle Eastern sovereign funds.
- Trend-aligned: Investments track with growing sectors like GenAI, autonomous research, and GPU compute.
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