SOFTBANK GRP UNSP/ADR - SFTBY STOCK NEWS

InfStones, a key player in blockchain infrastructure, has secured $66 million in a funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, aiming for enterprise expansion. This brings its total funding to over $100 million, propelling it towards unicorn status. The new capital will enhance team growth and support robust blockchain solutions for clients, while also enabling entry into new markets. InfStones supports over 10,000 nodes across multiple blockchains, contributing significantly to the evolution of Web3.

Arm Ltd, in partnership with HOPU Investment and SoftBank Group, has resolved its corporate governance issue with a unanimous vote by the Arm China Board. The company appointed Dr. Renchen Liu and Dr. Eric Chen as co-CEOs, effective immediately, with Dr. Liu recognized as the legal representative. Arm remains committed to its business operations in China and the ongoing strategic partnership with Arm China, which will continue to manage its IP licensing and development independently. Both CEOs bring extensive experience from the technology sector.

Aryaka announced that SoftBank Corp. has chosen its SD-WAN and SASE technology for its international SD-WAN Service, SD-CORE (aryaka). This partnership aims to provide SoftBank with high-speed, stable data communications and a secure network tailored for customer needs. Key features include centralized management of networks, remote access capabilities, and a one-stop support service for maintenance. The technology utilizes Aryaka's FlexCore, enhancing SoftBank’s global data capabilities through nearly 40 strategic points of presence around the world.

Pear Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PEAR) has partnered with SoftBank Corp. to create a Japanese-language digital therapeutic addressing sleep/wake disorders, targeting a significant unmet need in Japan, where 20% of adults experience chronic sleep deprivation. This collaboration aims to leverage Pear's software-based medicines, including Somryst®, the only FDA-authorized prescription digital therapeutic for chronic insomnia in the U.S. The agreement reinforces Pear's international expansion strategy and aligns with SoftBank's digital transformation goals.

Bambee, a company focused on affordable HR solutions for small businesses, has secured a $30 million Series C funding round, raising its total funding to $65 million. This investment, led by QED Investors and supported by SoftBank, will enhance products like Bambee Guided Payroll and HR Autopilot, and expand customer support teams. With nearly 10,000 active subscribers and a target to double revenue, Bambee plans to hire 150 employees this year and grow operations in Nashville, TN.

SoftBank Group Corp. has announced that the $100 million SB Opportunity Fund will transition to an evergreen fund, investing continuously in U.S. Black, Latinx, and Native American founders. Launched in June 2020, the fund has already deployed capital in over 70 companies, with approximately 55% Black-founded and 40% Latinx-founded ventures. The fund includes four unicorns and has seen some portfolio companies raise additional funding post-investment. The addition of Catherine Lenson and Brett Rochkind to the Investment Committee aims to enhance oversight and support for future investments.

SB Energy Global has secured a strategic equity investment of up to $600 million from funds managed by Ares Management Corporation to enhance its Climate Infrastructure Technology platform. The funding aims to accelerate the development of renewable energy solutions in the U.S., contributing to a target of 10 GW of renewable projects by 2025. Since its U.S. launch in 2019, SB Energy has completed 1.7 GW of solar projects, with significant backing from both SoftBank and Ares to foster further growth and innovation in clean energy.

SoftBank Group's Operator School (SBOS) will launch a new seven-week curriculum on February 24, 2022, aimed at teaching startup founders and operators in South Florida and Latin America how to secure funding from seed to IPO. Following a successful 2021 launch with over 5,000 participants globally, this year's program includes online master classes on venture capital and fundraising. The initiative supports SoftBank's commitment to fostering diverse tech talent. Registration is open to global participants, promising valuable insights from industry experts.

NVIDIA and SoftBank have terminated their agreement for NVIDIA to acquire Arm Limited due to regulatory challenges. Despite this setback, NVIDIA's CEO stated his commitment to support Arm as a licensee. SoftBank plans to prepare Arm for a public offering within the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. This decision reflects a strategic pivot for Arm, which is positioned at the forefront of innovations in mobile computing, AI, and cloud technology.