SoftBank secures $40B loan to deepen OpenAI partnership

SoftBank has secured a $40 billion bridge loan as it sharpens its focus on artificial intelligence and expands its relationship with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT.

The move signals a renewed push by the Japanese investment giant to position itself at the centre of the fast-growing generative AI market.

Led by Masayoshi Son, SoftBank is doubling down on AI after a period marked by volatility in its Vision Fund portfolio.

The funding is expected to support both its OpenAI investment strategy and broader corporate needs.

Loan structure and banking partners

The bridge loan is unsecured and will mature in March 2027, giving SoftBank flexibility as it deploys capital across its AI ambitions.

The financing was arranged with a group of major global lenders, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Mizuho Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and MUFG Bank.

This structure enables SoftBank to quickly access large amounts of capital without the need for immediate asset sales.

It also reflects confidence from global banks in SoftBank’s long-term AI strategy, despite past swings in performance linked to its Vision Fund investments.

Expanding OpenAI investment strategy

SoftBank has already committed $30 billion to OpenAI through its Vision Fund 2, reinforcing its position as a key backer of the company.

OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has gained significant traction following the rapid adoption of ChatGPT, which has become a widely used AI tool across industries.

The latest loan suggests SoftBank is preparing to scale its involvement further as competition intensifies among global technology firms.

Companies across the US, Europe, and Asia are racing to secure leadership in generative AI, with investments in infrastructure, models, and applications rising sharply.

AI infrastructure and Stargate project

SoftBank’s strategy extends beyond equity investments into infrastructure development.

The company was among the participants in the Stargate Project, an initiative announced last year that aims to invest up to $500 billion over four years to build AI infrastructure in the United States.

This initiative highlights the growing importance of large-scale computing capacity and data infrastructure in the AI race.

As demand for AI services increases, companies are focusing on building the systems needed to support training and deployment at scale.

US investment plans and long-term bets

In December 2024, Son and then President-elect Donald Trump announced plans for SoftBank to invest $100 billion in AI and related infrastructure in the US over four years.

The announcement positioned SoftBank as a major contributor to the expansion of AI capabilities in the country.

The new bridge loan aligns with this broader commitment, providing the financial backing needed to execute large-scale investments.

It also underscores a shift in SoftBank’s approach, with a more aggressive focus on AI following years of mixed returns from its earlier technology bets.

SoftBank’s latest move places it firmly within the global competition to dominate artificial intelligence.