S3 E08 | Masa, Mergers, and Making It Big ft. Alok Sama, SoftBank’s Deal Whisperer

Dec 18, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Alok Sama, former President and CFO of SoftBank Group International, shares his journey from Delhi to the heights of global finance. He reveals behind-the-scenes details of major tech deals like the Sprint-T-Mobile merger and SoftBank's acquisition of ARM. Alok reflects on his time with Masayoshi Son, offers insights into navigating complex global deals, and explores the future of technology, particularly AI. His experiences reveal valuable lessons on leveraging India's evolving tech ecosystem and foster a deep understanding of visionary leadership in turbulent times.

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ANECDOTE

Delhi Roots and Early Influences

Alok Sama grew up in Delhi, India, where his father was a doctor and later chairman of Gangaram Hospital.
He initially pursued mathematics due to a chance encounter with a Wharton professor, not finance.

ANECDOTE

Career Serendipity

Alok Sama's career path involved serendipitous events, like a chance meeting leading him to Wharton.
Another chance encounter with Nikesh Arora led him to SoftBank.

INSIGHT

Embrace Serendipity

While hard work is essential, acknowledge the role of chance in life.
Don't try to over-control your career path; be open to unexpected opportunities.

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Join us for Episode 8 of Season 3 of the Blume Podcast - Winning Beyond Boundaries, featuring Alok Sama, former President and CFO of SoftBank

Group International in conversation with Karthik Reddy of Blume Ventures.

In this fascinating conversation, Alok shares insights from his remarkable journey across global finance and technology, including orchestrating some of the largest deals in tech history, like the $59B Sprint-T-Mobile merger and SoftBank's $34B acquisition of ARM.

Drawing from his recent book "The Money Trap: Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble," Alok offers a candid look at working alongside Masayoshi Son during SoftBank's most volatile period, unpacks three decades of experience in investment banking and VC, and shares valuable lessons on navigating complex global deals.

From his early days in Delhi to shaping Morgan Stanley's TMT practice in Asia-Pac and eventually becoming one of Masa Son's closest advisors, Alok's story is a masterclass in understanding global markets and tech ambition. Currently a senior advisor at Warburg Pincus, he continues to influence the intersection of technology and finance.

Key topics discussed:

The journey from Delhi to global finance
⁠Behind-the-scenes of major tech deals
Working with Masayoshi Son
The future of technology and AI
India's evolving tech ecosystem
Lessons from a career in global dealmaking

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction and early SoftBank days

1:05 - Welcome and guest introduction

2:54 - Growing up in Delhi and early influences

6:42 - Indian influences and cricket passion

9:46 - Journey into mathematics and finance

15:33 - Serendipity in career choices

20:57 - Writing "The Money Trap"

24:01 - Morgan Stanley years and global deals

31:05 - Understanding mega-deals

38:40 - Masayoshi Son's unique qualities

41:49 - Vision Fund and investment strategy

47:57 - Future of technology and AI

54:19 - India's startup ecosystem

1:03:12 - Current role at Warburg Pincus

1:05:03 - Rapid fire questions

This episode is brought to you by IDFC First Bank, a committed partner to India's startup community. IDFC First Bank continues to foster innovation and support entrepreneurship, playing a crucial role in the growth journey of numerous startups, including many Blume portfolio companies.

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