SoftBank eyes up to $150m deals in India’s AI infrastructure space

Photo credit: SoftBank

Japan’s tech giant SoftBank is eyeing investments in Indian data centers and industrial robotics as part of its wider bet on AI-related infrastructure, Moneycontrol reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

SoftBank may invest between US$75 million and US$150 million per deal, the report said.

It may target data center businesses of big firms or manufacturing facilities that use AI and automation. This aligns with SoftBank’s global push toward robotics, AI, and self-driving cars.

As of the end of March 2024, SoftBank had committed US$5 billion in investments in these sectors, as well as logistics. Its recent investments include those in GreenBox – SoftBank’s joint venture with robotics firm Symbotic – and Wayve, a UK-based autonomous driving company.

Notably, with potential deals in India’s AI infrastructure landscape, SoftBank would end its two-year investment break in the country.

SoftBank had heavily invested in India’s consumer internet and SaaS sectors in the past. Four firms from SoftBank’s portfolio – Zomato, PB Fintech, Paytm, and Delhivery – are already public.

Earlier this year, SoftBank was considering raising US$100 billion for an AI chip venture that could rival US-based Nvidia. SoftBank-owned chip designer Arm Holdings is also expected to launch its first AI chips in 2025.

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