Analysis · Professional & Local Services

SoftBank shifts focus to AI in India

By Startup Enthusiast · 8 January 2026

What they do

SoftBank is a global investment firm that backs Indian startups

It is now exiting older bets and building a new pipeline in AI, cloud, and enterprise tech

The firm invested over $10.6B in India and has clocked $7.2B from exits so far

SoftBank is executing partial and full exits from several Indian startups.
It is building a new investment pipeline in AI, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise tech.
The firm made no new investments in 2025, only a follow-on in Juspay.
It participated in Juspay's $60M Series D in April 2025.
SoftBank funded 14 startups in 2021 and 5 in 2022.
It has invested over $10.6B in about 20 Indian companies.
The firm is in talks to invest in multiple India-linked AI startups.
It is evaluating participation in Emergent's $60M round and exploring an investment in Neysa.

SoftBank monetised Indian bets in 2025 via buybacks, secondary sales, and IPO OFS.
It partially exited InMobi via a founder-led buyback.
It pared its holding in Lenskart via IPO and post-IPO secondary.
It reduced its stake in Ola Electric and previously sold stakes in Delhivery and FirstCry.
SoftBank has clocked over $7.2B from India exits, including Paytm, Policybazaar, and Zomato sell-downs.

SoftBank is a global investment firm that backs technology companies.
Its Indian portfolio includes Flipkart, Oyo, OfBusiness, Eruditus, Icertis, Whatfix, Mindtickle, ElasticRun, Unacademy, and GlobalBees.
Listed portfolio companies include FirstCry, Delhivery, and Swiggy.
The firm returned to profitability in FY25 with a $7.4B profit.
It is open to more flexible cheque sizes, including smaller initial investments, especially in AI.

SoftBank intends to remain active in India and is not in exit mode.
It is building a new investment pipeline in AI, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise tech.
It is open to more flexible cheque sizes, including smaller initial investments, especially in AI.
Flipkart and OYO are expected to pursue IPOs in 2026.