Masayoshi Son is a man who knows a thing or two about taking risks. From humble beginnings in a small town in Japan, Son has gone on to become one of the most successful and wealthy businessmen in the world. With a net worth of over $100 billion, he is often referred to as the “$100 billion gambler” – a title that he wears with pride.
Son’s story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. Born in 1957 in a rural town in Japan, he was the son of Korean immigrants who had come to Japan in search of a better life. Growing up, Son showed an early aptitude for business and entrepreneurship, and he was determined to make something of himself.
After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, Son returned to Japan and started his first business – a software distribution company called SoftBank. Despite facing many challenges and setbacks in the early years, Son persevered and eventually grew SoftBank into a major player in the Japanese tech industry.
But it was Son’s bold decision to invest in Alibaba in 2000 that really put him on the map. At the time, Alibaba was a relatively unknown Chinese e-commerce company, but Son saw its potential and invested $20 million in the company. That investment would later turn into a multi-billion dollar windfall for Son, cementing his reputation as a savvy investor and earning him the nickname of the “Warren Buffett of Japan.”
Since then, Son has continued to make big bets on technology companies around the world. From Uber to WeWork, Son has a knack for spotting promising startups and investing early. And while not all of his bets have paid off – WeWork’s disastrous IPO being a notable example – Son remains undeterred.
In recent years, Son has shifted his focus to ambitious projects like the $100 billion Vision Fund, which aims to invest in promising technology startups from around the world. With investments in companies like ARM Holdings and Slack, the Vision Fund has quickly become one of the most influential players in the tech industry.
But Son isn’t done yet. In a recent interview with Business Insider, he revealed that he has big plans for the future. “I want to create a world where technology is more inclusive and accessible to everyone,” Son said. “I want to use my wealth and influence to make a positive impact on the world.”
With his track record of success and his unwavering ambition, it’s clear that Masayoshi Son is a force to be reckoned with in the business world. And while he may have started out on a dirt track, he has certainly paved his own road to success.