SoftBank Group is in the works to establish and take public a distinct artificial intelligence and robotics entity in the United States within this year, as reported by the Financial Times. The planned company, named “Roze,” will concentrate on constructing data centers and utilizing robotics to enhance the efficiency of AI infrastructure development, according to sources familiar with the matter. The driving force behind this initiative is Masayoshi Son, the founder and Chief Executive of SoftBank, as executives aspire to achieve a valuation of approximately $100 billion and are aiming for an initial public offering promptly. Nonetheless, there might be fluctuations in the valuation target and timeline, and the plans are perceived as ambitious by some SoftBank executives, partly due to uncertainties arising from tensions in the Middle East.
Son’s keenness for AI has grown considerably in recent years, with substantial investments in the sector amounting to tens of billions of dollars. Despite investor concerns regarding the financing of these investments, especially the support for OpenAI which is still not profitable, the proposed listing could assist in alleviating some of these financial commitments, such as the over $30 billion allocated to OpenAI. Furthermore, Roze could potentially amalgamate existing energy, land, and infrastructure assets from SoftBank’s portfolio together with ABB Robotics, a leading supplier of robotics and machine automation solutions that SoftBank acquired last year. It is anticipated that SoftBank will merge ABB Robotics’ robotics hardware with AI capabilities to enhance its offerings.
Representatives from SoftBank were unavailable for immediate comment on the matter. Son’s focus on AI prospects has increasingly shifted towards the U.S., with the company positioning itself as a significant backer of American AI infrastructure. SoftBank previously collaborated with OpenAI, Oracle, and other partners on the Stargate project, aiming to invest $500 billion in constructing AI data center capacity across the nation. Additionally, the corporation has been expeditiously establishing its data centers, including a major project in Ohio.
In the December quarter, SoftBank reported a $2.4 billion gain in its Vision Fund, with gains from its investment in OpenAI counterbalancing losses incurred in other ventures. The company faced a slight decline in trading on Thursday but has recorded an increase of over 18% since the beginning of the year. Should you have any confidential news tips, we encourage you to reach out. Stay informed with free newsletters from CNBC, delivering more business news directly to your inbox. © 2026 Versant Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. A Versant Media Company. Data reflects real-time updates with a minimum delay of 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis are brought to you by our services.
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