Mayayoshi Son, once at his lowest point, faced his reflection on Zoom, feeling as if he had accomplished nothing to be proud of. Disappearing from the public eye following major losses from SoftBank’s Vision Fund investments, he seemed to be seeking redemption. But, as noted by author Lionel Barber in his new book “Gambling Man,” Son was silently scheming his grand return, a phoenix rising from the ashes.
In a surprising turn of events, SoftBank is now placing its bets on AI and embarking on a successful journey by launching Arm, a chip design company, to the public market.
The Financial Times profile unravels intriguing personal quirks about Son, such as his peculiar interest in historical conquistadors like Napoleon. During a meeting with an activist investor in 2020, when Son was compared to Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, he swiftly rebutted, claiming he was not just an ordinary CEO but compared himself to legendary figures like Napoleon, Genghis Khan, and Emperor Qin. “I am not a CEO. I am building an empire,” Son declared confidently.
- SoftBank’s CEO Mayayoshi Son faces a period of self-reflection.
- Son makes a stealthy comeback by focusing on AI and launching Arm.
- Personal anecdotes reveal Son’s fascination with historical figures and his ambition to build an empire.
As the intricate layers of Mayayoshi Son’s story unfold, it becomes evident that his journey is not merely about setbacks but about resilience, vision, and the unwavering determination to build an empire. This captivating tale of redemption and ambition leaves us pondering the possibility of reinvention and legacy-building in the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology.