SoftBank Seeks $16 Billion Loan to Fuel AI Investments, Including Stargate and OpenAI
3 Sources
3 Sources
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SoftBank Considers Borrowing $16 Billion to Fund AI
SoftBank's investment would be on top of the $15 billion it has already committed to Stargate, Reuters reported citing a person familiar with the matter. The Information previously reported that SoftBank was planning to invest a total $40 billion into Stargate and OpenAI and had begun talks to borrow up to $18.5 billion in financing, backed by its publicly-listed assets. Stargate is a joint venture by Oracle, OpenAI and SoftBank, that plans to invest up to $500 billion to help the United States stay ahead of China and other rivals in the global AI race. The venture was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, SoftBank's Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison at the White House in January.
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SoftBank in Discussions to Borrow USD 16 Billion for AI Investments: Report
Stargate aims to raise USD 500 billion to strengthen US AI dominance. SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son is reportedly planning to borrow USD 16 billion to fund artificial intelligence (AI) investments, company executives told banks last week, The Information reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Japanese technology company may secure an additional USD 8 billion in early 2026, the report added. Also Read: SoftBank and OpenAI Announce Partnership to Develop and Market Cristal Intelligence This move aligns with SoftBank's ongoing expansion in AI, including talks to invest up to USD 25 billion in ChatGPT maker OpenAI, according to a Reuters report in January. The company has already committed USD 15 billion to Stargate, a joint venture between Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank. Earlier reports suggested that SoftBank aims to invest USD 40 billion into Stargate and OpenAI, with financing of up to USD 18.5 billion backed by its publicly traded assets. Also Read: Stargate Project Announced with USD 500 Billion Investment in US AI Infrastructure Stargate, announced at the White House in January by SoftBank's Son, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Oracle's Larry Ellison, and US President Donald Trump, plans to invest USD 500 billion to maintain US leadership in AI against global competitors like China and other rivals.
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SoftBank in talks to borrow $16 billion to fund AI, The Information reports
March 1 (Reuters) - SoftBank Group (9984.T), opens new tab CEO Masayoshi Son plans to borrow $16 billion to invest in AI, the company's executives told banks last week, The Information tech news website reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. The Japanese technology investor might borrow another $8 billion in early 2026, the report added. Reuters reported in January that SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in ChatGPT owner OpenAI, as the Japanese conglomerate continues to expand into the sector. SoftBank's investment would be on top of the $15 billion it has already committed to Stargate, Reuters reported citing a person familiar with the matter. The Information previously reported that SoftBank was planning to invest a total $40 billion into Stargate and OpenAI and had begun talks to borrow up to $18.5 billion in financing, backed by its publicly-listed assets. Stargate is a joint venture by Oracle (ORCL.N), opens new tab, OpenAI and SoftBank, that plans to invest up to $500 billion to help the United States stay ahead of China and other rivals in the global AI race. The venture was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, SoftBank's Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison at the White House in January. Reporting by Anusha Shah in Bengaluru, Editing by William Maclean Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Artificial Intelligence
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SoftBank Group is in talks to borrow $16 billion for AI investments, with plans to potentially secure an additional $8 billion by 2026. The move is part of SoftBank's broader strategy to invest heavily in AI projects, including the Stargate joint venture and OpenAI.
SoftBank's Ambitious AI Investment Plans
SoftBank Group, led by CEO Masayoshi Son, is reportedly in discussions to secure a substantial $16 billion loan to fuel its artificial intelligence (AI) investments
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. This move underscores the Japanese technology investor's commitment to expanding its presence in the rapidly evolving AI sector. According to sources familiar with the matter, SoftBank executives presented this plan to banks last week, with the possibility of borrowing an additional $8 billion in early 20262
.Stargate Joint Venture and OpenAI Investment
A significant portion of SoftBank's AI investment strategy revolves around two major initiatives: the Stargate joint venture and potential investments in OpenAI. Stargate, a collaboration between Oracle, OpenAI, and SoftBank, aims to invest up to $500 billion to maintain the United States' competitive edge in the global AI race
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. SoftBank has already committed $15 billion to this ambitious project1
.In addition to Stargate, SoftBank is reportedly in talks to invest up to $25 billion in ChatGPT creator OpenAI
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. These investments align with earlier reports suggesting that SoftBank plans to invest a total of $40 billion into Stargate and OpenAI combined2
.White House Announcement and Global AI Competition
The Stargate venture gained significant attention when it was announced at the White House in January. The announcement featured prominent figures including U.S. President Donald Trump, SoftBank's Masayoshi Son, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison
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. This high-profile unveiling underscores the project's importance in the context of global AI competition, particularly in relation to rivals like China2
.Related Stories
Financing Strategy and Market Impact
To support these ambitious AI investments, SoftBank is exploring various financing options. The company is considering borrowing against its publicly-listed assets to secure up to $18.5 billion in financing
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. This strategy reflects SoftBank's confidence in the potential returns from its AI investments and its willingness to leverage its existing portfolio to fund future growth.Implications for the AI Landscape
SoftBank's massive investment plans could have far-reaching implications for the AI industry. By injecting substantial capital into projects like Stargate and potentially increasing its stake in OpenAI, SoftBank is positioning itself as a major player in shaping the future of AI technology and infrastructure
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. These investments may accelerate AI development, foster innovation, and potentially influence the global balance of power in the AI sector.References
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