Former Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen Elevated to Strategic Advisor at SoftBank Investment Fund
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
Yossi Cohen, former Mossad chief, has been promoted to strategic advisor at SoftBank's Vision Fund 2, enhancing his role in shaping the fund's AI and semiconductor investments. He continues to lead Israeli operations while expanding his focus internationally amid SoftBank's strategic shift towards AI infrastructure and chipmakers.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yossi Cohen promoted to strategic advisor at SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2.
- Cohen focuses on AI, cloud server farms, and semiconductor investments.
- He led profitable cybersecurity investments in Israeli firms like Waze and Claroty.
- SoftBank shifts from broad venture capital to direct AI and chip investments.
- Vision Fund’s valuation rose due to ByteDance and OpenAI stakes.
- SoftBank reported $8.2 billion profit from Intel shares recently.
Yossi Cohen, former head of Israel's Mossad, has been promoted within the Japanese investment giant SoftBank to the role of strategic advisor. Cohen joined SoftBank five years ago to lead its Israeli operations under the Vision Fund 2 partnership. His new position places him closer to the top decision-makers, including SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son.
Cohen will continue focusing on the Israeli market but will increasingly concentrate on SoftBank's newer investment areas, such as financing and developing AI and cloud server farms, as well as investing in semiconductor companies. Industry sources report that Cohen has been spending significant time in the US and Europe meeting with key players, although no active investments led by him have yet been disclosed.
During his tenure, Cohen primarily managed cybersecurity investments, overseeing deals in Israeli companies like Waze, Claroty, and Cato Networks. These investments proved highly profitable, with SoftBank selling Waze shares at a substantial gain and Claroty's valuation doubling to $4 billion. Cato Networks also saw its valuation rise from $3 billion to $4.8 billion.
SoftBank’s Vision Fund has shifted its investment strategy under Masayoshi Son, moving away from broad venture capital to direct investments in AI infrastructure and chipmakers such as ARM and Intel. This strategic pivot led to significant leadership changes, with many executives leaving Vision Fund to pursue other ventures. Cohen transitioned from the British branch to the US branch of Vision Fund as part of this realignment.
SoftBank recently reported strong financial results, including an $8.2 billion profit from Intel shares and a $1.7 billion increase in Vision Fund’s valuation due to ByteDance’s rise. The fund also holds a substantial stake in OpenAI, with an investment valued near $80 billion after committing $34.6 billion. Cohen and SoftBank have not commented on the promotion.
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