SoftBank Group is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Japan. It operates through four segments: mobile communications, Sprint, fixed-line telecommunications, and internet. The company provides a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data transmission services, broadband services, internet advertising, e-commerce, and digital television. SoftBank Group also invests in various technologies through its venture capital arms, such as SoftBank Investment Advisers and SoftBank Vision Fund, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things. One of its notable subsidiaries, SoftBank Robotics, designs and manufactures humanoid robots for various applications, including education, healthcare, and business.
Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President
Linda Yu
Vice President, Vision Fund
Andrew Zloto
Investment Director
Tim Yap
Director, EMEA
Past deals in Smart Cities
Wayve
Series C in 2024
Wayve is a company focused on developing a fully autonomous driving system for vehicles, utilizing end-to-end deep learning technology. This approach enables the creation of artificial intelligence capable of navigating complex driving scenarios across various urban environments. The company operates a fleet of electric vehicles equipped for autonomous operation, which facilitates technology development and real-world testing. Headquartered in London, Wayve aims to provide a scalable solution for autonomous driving that can adapt quickly and safely to new driving conditions globally.
TIER Mobility
Convertible Note in 2023
TIER Mobility GmbH is a Berlin-based shared micro-mobility provider founded in 2018, specializing in electric kick scooters, e-bikes, and e-mopeds for local commuting. The company aims to transform urban mobility by offering users a convenient way to access light electric vehicles through its application software, which allows them to locate and book available scooters. TIER is dedicated to promoting climate neutrality and reducing urban dependence on cars, contributing to a more sustainable and livable environment. Through its proprietary Energy Network, TIER strives to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of its services, thereby supporting cities in their efforts to improve mobility solutions.
Gaussian Robot
Series C in 2021
Gaussian Robot, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, specializes in the development of commercial automatic sweeping robots. The company offers a range of products including automatic cleaning robots, unmanned sanitation vehicles, security robot solutions, and building distribution robots. Additionally, Gaussian Robot incorporates advanced autonomous positioning navigation modules into its offerings, aiming to enhance operational efficiency in various commercial settings.
TIER Mobility
Series D in 2021
TIER Mobility GmbH is a Berlin-based shared micro-mobility provider founded in 2018, specializing in electric kick scooters, e-bikes, and e-mopeds for local commuting. The company aims to transform urban mobility by offering users a convenient way to access light electric vehicles through its application software, which allows them to locate and book available scooters. TIER is dedicated to promoting climate neutrality and reducing urban dependence on cars, contributing to a more sustainable and livable environment. Through its proprietary Energy Network, TIER strives to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of its services, thereby supporting cities in their efforts to improve mobility solutions.
Airspan Networks
Post in 2021
Airspan Networks Inc. is a global provider of 4G broadband wireless systems and solutions, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. Founded in 1992, the company specializes in delivering high-speed data, voice, and multimedia services across various vertical markets, including smart utilities, transportation, and public safety. Airspan's product portfolio encompasses a range of technologies operating in licensed and unlicensed frequency bands from 700MHz to 6GHz. Their offerings include advanced small cells, pico base stations, and a virtual RAN platform, enabling seamless integration of LTE, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, and VoIP technologies. Airspan's solutions are designed to bridge connectivity gaps and enhance user experiences, with deployments in over 100 countries and a diverse customer base that includes Internet service providers and telecommunications carriers. The company also provides essential services such as network installation, integration, and support to facilitate the effective operation of its systems.
TIER Mobility
Series C in 2020
TIER Mobility GmbH is a Berlin-based shared micro-mobility provider founded in 2018, specializing in electric kick scooters, e-bikes, and e-mopeds for local commuting. The company aims to transform urban mobility by offering users a convenient way to access light electric vehicles through its application software, which allows them to locate and book available scooters. TIER is dedicated to promoting climate neutrality and reducing urban dependence on cars, contributing to a more sustainable and livable environment. Through its proprietary Energy Network, TIER strives to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of its services, thereby supporting cities in their efforts to improve mobility solutions.
REEF
Private Equity Round in 2020
REEF, established in 2013, operates a network of 4,500 urban logistics and mobility hubs across North America, with a team of 15,000 associates serving 200 cities. The company transforms underutilized urban spaces into neighborhood hubs, offering parking, micro-fulfillment, and delivery solutions. REEF's technology-driven infrastructure reduces traffic congestion and promotes sustainability by providing buffering zones for delivery and rideshare vehicles. Each REEF hub serves as a connected ecosystem, enabling efficient last-mile delivery of goods and services to densely populated areas.
Didi
Venture Round in 2020
Didi Chuxing, founded in 2012 in Beijing, is a leading mobile transportation platform providing app-based services such as taxi hailing, private car-hailing, social ride-sharing, car rental, and enterprise solutions. With over 450 million users and daily orders reaching 25 million, Didi offers a variety of mobility options to optimize resource allocation through big data-driven algorithms. The company aims to address transportation, environmental, and employment challenges by collaborating with communities and partners. Acquiring Uber China in 2016, Didi has over 21 million drivers and car owners on its platform, generating income while offering convenient transportation solutions to users worldwide.
Qingju
Venture Round in 2020
Qingju is a company that provides bike-sharing platforms and services. It is a division of the taxi-hailing and car-sharing service provider, Didi Chuxing. The company's e-bike is a smart and accessible solution for long-distance transportation, which embodies Qingju's experience in quality manufacturing, the sharing economy, smart technology, and modern design language. It is designed and equipped with GPS and proprietary smart Drum Brake Lock System, making locking and unlocking automatically controlled by the software and Bluetooth, which solves the biggest problem - disorderly parking.
Goggo Network
Series A in 2019
Goggo Network is a Berlin-based company focused on developing autonomous driverless cars and creating autonomous mobility networks. The company aims to address contemporary transportation challenges, such as heavy traffic and pollution, by providing autonomous, electric, and shared mobility solutions. Goggo Network also works on establishing the legal and engineering frameworks necessary for the European autonomous mobility industry, facilitating the integration of these technologies into existing infrastructures. Through its initiatives, Goggo Network seeks to lead the shift towards driverless transportation, fostering a more efficient and sustainable mobility ecosystem for all.
Uber
Corporate Round in 2019
Uber Technologies, Inc., established in 2009, is a global technology company that connects users with transportation and logistics services through its mobile application. It operates in over 300 cities worldwide, offering a range of services including ridesharing, food delivery, and freight transportation. Uber's core business is facilitating transportation by matching riders with drivers, providing safe, reliable, and convenient options at varying price points. Additionally, Uber Advanced Technologies Group, a subsidiary, focuses on developing self-driving car technology to enhance transportation safety and accessibility.
REEF
Venture Round in 2018
REEF, established in 2013, operates a network of 4,500 urban logistics and mobility hubs across North America, with a team of 15,000 associates serving 200 cities. The company transforms underutilized urban spaces into neighborhood hubs, offering parking, micro-fulfillment, and delivery solutions. REEF's technology-driven infrastructure reduces traffic congestion and promotes sustainability by providing buffering zones for delivery and rideshare vehicles. Each REEF hub serves as a connected ecosystem, enabling efficient last-mile delivery of goods and services to densely populated areas.
REEF
Series C in 2018
REEF, established in 2013, operates a network of 4,500 urban logistics and mobility hubs across North America, with a team of 15,000 associates serving 200 cities. The company transforms underutilized urban spaces into neighborhood hubs, offering parking, micro-fulfillment, and delivery solutions. REEF's technology-driven infrastructure reduces traffic congestion and promotes sustainability by providing buffering zones for delivery and rideshare vehicles. Each REEF hub serves as a connected ecosystem, enabling efficient last-mile delivery of goods and services to densely populated areas.
SenseTime
Series D in 2018
SenseTime Group Limited is an artificial intelligence company specializing in computer vision and deep learning technologies. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Beijing, China, the company develops a wide range of AI solutions, including face and body analysis, image and video recognition, autonomous driving technologies, and medical image analysis. SenseTime's proprietary AI infrastructure, SenseCore, supports scalable and efficient AI software platforms tailored for various applications across sectors such as smart cities, intelligent transportation, healthcare, and finance. The company is also active in advancing industry standards related to data security and ethical AI practices, having contributed to numerous national and international guidelines. With a presence in multiple countries, including Japan, Singapore, and several locations in China, SenseTime aims to drive innovation and foster sustainable productivity through its AI technologies.
Uber
Secondary Market in 2017
Uber Technologies, Inc., established in 2009, is a global technology company that connects users with transportation and logistics services through its mobile application. It operates in over 300 cities worldwide, offering a range of services including ridesharing, food delivery, and freight transportation. Uber's core business is facilitating transportation by matching riders with drivers, providing safe, reliable, and convenient options at varying price points. Additionally, Uber Advanced Technologies Group, a subsidiary, focuses on developing self-driving car technology to enhance transportation safety and accessibility.
Uber
Venture Round in 2017
Uber Technologies, Inc., established in 2009, is a global technology company that connects users with transportation and logistics services through its mobile application. It operates in over 300 cities worldwide, offering a range of services including ridesharing, food delivery, and freight transportation. Uber's core business is facilitating transportation by matching riders with drivers, providing safe, reliable, and convenient options at varying price points. Additionally, Uber Advanced Technologies Group, a subsidiary, focuses on developing self-driving car technology to enhance transportation safety and accessibility.
Didi
Private Equity Round in 2017
Didi Chuxing, founded in 2012 in Beijing, is a leading mobile transportation platform providing app-based services such as taxi hailing, private car-hailing, social ride-sharing, car rental, and enterprise solutions. With over 450 million users and daily orders reaching 25 million, Didi offers a variety of mobility options to optimize resource allocation through big data-driven algorithms. The company aims to address transportation, environmental, and employment challenges by collaborating with communities and partners. Acquiring Uber China in 2016, Didi has over 21 million drivers and car owners on its platform, generating income while offering convenient transportation solutions to users worldwide.
Didi
Private Equity Round in 2017
Didi Chuxing, founded in 2012 in Beijing, is a leading mobile transportation platform providing app-based services such as taxi hailing, private car-hailing, social ride-sharing, car rental, and enterprise solutions. With over 450 million users and daily orders reaching 25 million, Didi offers a variety of mobility options to optimize resource allocation through big data-driven algorithms. The company aims to address transportation, environmental, and employment challenges by collaborating with communities and partners. Acquiring Uber China in 2016, Didi has over 21 million drivers and car owners on its platform, generating income while offering convenient transportation solutions to users worldwide.
SB Drive
Series A in 2017
SB Drive Corp., founded in 2016 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. The company specializes in consulting services related to the operations of autonomous driving technology, focusing on both passenger and logistics sectors. SB Drive is dedicated to developing autonomous vehicle solutions for public transportation, particularly in rural areas, and has conducted social trials utilizing fixed-route public buses and freight trucks equipped with this technology. The company has established partnerships with four municipalities in Japan and aims to conduct public road tests in the near future, with the goal of launching a commercial service in the coming years.
Didi
Funding Round in 2016
Didi Chuxing, founded in 2012 in Beijing, is a leading mobile transportation platform providing app-based services such as taxi hailing, private car-hailing, social ride-sharing, car rental, and enterprise solutions. With over 450 million users and daily orders reaching 25 million, Didi offers a variety of mobility options to optimize resource allocation through big data-driven algorithms. The company aims to address transportation, environmental, and employment challenges by collaborating with communities and partners. Acquiring Uber China in 2016, Didi has over 21 million drivers and car owners on its platform, generating income while offering convenient transportation solutions to users worldwide.
Gemeite
Venture Round in 2015
Gemeite is a smart city solutions provider company.
CSC TECHNOLOGY
Angel Round in 2014
CSC Technology provides low-cost, high-security, and easy-to-implement smart cloud services to smart cities, smart countryside, characteristic towns, and application innovations that comply with the new generation of security and certification technology of the ISO international smart city standard.
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