SoftBank to Spin Off Telecom Unit in $21 Billion IPO
*By Carlo Versano*
SoftBank Group, the Japanese multinational conglomerate with stakes in some of the hottest U.S. tech start-ups, is planning a massive IPO for its telecom arm that could become Japan's largest public offering to date, [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-11-12/softbank-unveils-21-billion-ipo-of-mobile-business?srnd=premium) reported Monday.
SoftBank Founder Masayoshi Son is reportedly seeking $21 billion for the new entity that will be called SoftBank Corp. and begin trading Dec. 19. Citing the prospectus, Bloomberg said the company will offer 1.6 billion shares at 1,500 yen a piece, or roughly $13. That figure could change as the range of the offering is set.
Son has used his $100 billion Vision Fund to transform SoftBank into a holding company with stakes in some of the world's most valuable technology companies, including Uber, WeWork, and Alibaba ($BABA). Softbank's telecom and mobile operation has long been the company's bread and butter, and spinning it off will give Son room to further position himself as a tech kingmaker.
William Shatner and LifeWave CEO David Schmidt share lessons from his “world’s oldest intern” experience and offer advice for young professionals starting out.
The Live Nation ruling is in. Diana Moss of the Progressive Policy Institute joins us to unpack what it means for competition, consumers, and live music.
Madison Air CEO Jill Wyant on taking a century-old HVAC giant public and what the IPO means for the industry, investors, and the future of the company.
Global Gaming League's founder Clinton Sparks and chairman Jeff Hoffman on their mission to bridge competitive eSports with mainstream celebrity culture.
AEVEX CEO Roger Wells joins to discuss the company's IPO and what it means for the future of autonomous defense systems in an era of rapid military innovation.
