SoftBank

SoftBank Group Corp. is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1981, it provides a wide range of services including mobile and fixed-line communications, broadband, and digital television. The company operates through several segments, including the SoftBank Vision Fund, which focuses on investing in technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and fintech. Additionally, SoftBank manufactures and distributes mobile devices and offers services in e-commerce, internet advertising, and IT solutions. The firm also engages in renewable energy by generating and supplying electricity. Beyond telecommunications, SoftBank has interests in various sectors, including media, professional sports, and fashion through platforms like ZOZOTOWN. With a global presence, SoftBank actively invests in growth-stage companies, aiming to foster innovation and technological advancement across diverse industries.

Kentaro Matsui

Managing Partner, Asia

Justin Wilson

Partner, Americas

Past deals in Riyadh

Kitopi

Series C in 2022
Kitopi Catering Services LLC operates as a managed cloud kitchen platform that partners with restaurants to expand their delivery reach. The company enables restaurants to open delivery-only locations by providing the infrastructure and software. The company’s in-house suite of applications optimizes all aspects of kitchen operations in real-time to operate ghost kitchens in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Kuwait, Riyadh, and New York. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in New York, New York.

Unifonic

Series B in 2021
Unifonic Inc. specializes in cloud communication solutions, offering a range of services including SMS, voice, phone number verification, and real-time roaming detection. Founded in 2006 and based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the company aims to make cloud communications more accessible and cost-efficient. Unifonic simplifies the integration of powerful messaging and voice capabilities by providing single APIs that connect clients directly to their cloud platform, eliminating the need for hardware or network operators. The company has partnered with notable clients such as Haier, Aramex, Easy Taxi, Careem, Medgulf, and Arabia Insurance. Additionally, Unifonic has collaborated with Facebook to support the WhatsApp Business API for enterprises, enhancing its offerings in the communication sector.

Kitopi

Series C in 2021
Kitopi Catering Services LLC operates as a managed cloud kitchen platform that partners with restaurants to expand their delivery reach. The company enables restaurants to open delivery-only locations by providing the infrastructure and software. The company’s in-house suite of applications optimizes all aspects of kitchen operations in real-time to operate ghost kitchens in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Kuwait, Riyadh, and New York. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in New York, New York.