SoftBank cashes in on Wiz investment in no time after Google’s $32 billion buyout
A well-timed bet on the Israeli cybersecurity firm delivers a massive return for SoftBank.
SoftBank has secured a swift and substantial profit from its investment in Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz, following the company's record-breaking $32 billion acquisition by Google. The Japanese investment giant, which is represented in Israel by former Mossad head Yossi Cohen, invested tens of millions of dollars in Wiz last August and is now set to more than triple its money in just eight months.
SoftBank’s investment came during a period of rapid growth for Wiz, which was already one of the most valuable cybersecurity startups in the world. The company had raised $1 billion in May 2024 at a valuation of over $12 billion, and by July, its annual revenue rate had climbed to $500 million, with projections to reach $1 billion by 2025.
SoftBank’s bet on Wiz was partly driven by expectations of surging cloud security demand in Asia, a market projected to reach $153.6 billion by 2026. The partnership positioned Wiz for further expansion in the region, but Google’s acquisition has now delivered an even faster return on investment than anticipated.
Founded in 2020 by CEO Assaf Rappaport and his longtime team, Wiz has quickly become a dominant force in cloud security, serving approximately 45% of Fortune 100 companies. The acquisition, which marks the largest in Israeli tech history, cements Wiz’s position as a major player in the cybersecurity industry while delivering a rapid and highly profitable exit for its investors—including SoftBank.
