Masayoshi Son has invested $11 billion in Indian startups in this decade. SoftBank owns 90% shares of Arm Holdings, which aims to train one million chip designers in India. Global AI infrastructure investments are expected to reach trillions.
Japanese billionaire and SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son is focused on making India a global leader in semiconductor production, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Son, who has invested $11 billion in Indian startups, shared this vision during his recent trip to India, where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key business leaders. He believes India has the potential to become the "chip capital" of the world, building on its growing strength in chip design and moving beyond its software services.
A key part of his plan is involving Arm Holdings, a British semiconductor company in which SoftBank owns 90% shares. Arm aims to work with Indian universities to train one million chip designers, creating a strong talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry. This effort supports India’s focus on boosting domestic chip production, especially through initiatives like the Indian Semiconductor Mission (ISM), which has already received major investments.
During his visit, Son also met with leading Indian entrepreneurs from SoftBank-backed companies like FirstCry, Ola Electric and Swiggy. The discussions centered on the huge potential of AI, with Son encouraging entrepreneurs to think big and plan for the future. India’s efforts to become a global leader in AI and semiconductor technology come at a crucial time, as global investments in AI infrastructure are expected to reach trillions of dollars in the coming years. With SoftBank’s ongoing investments in AI, including a $100 billion venture focused on AI semiconductors, Son’s plans could help position India as a key player in the global technology industry.
