Slate Money Money Talks: The Gambler Who Bet on Alibaba
7 snips
Oct 29, 2024 Lionel Barber, author of "Gambling Man" and former editor of the Financial Times, dives into the audacious world of Masayoshi Son, a tech maverick known for his billion-dollar bets. The discussion reveals Son's risk-taking strategies and his pivotal role in backing Alibaba. Barber highlights the tumultuous journey of Northstar, his hedge fund's daring investments during market recoveries, and the interplay of cultural tensions in Japan's tech landscape. Listeners will explore how long-term vision drives innovation amidst challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Masa's Comeback
- Masayoshi Son, despite setbacks, is rebounding with investments in AI, like OpenAI.
- This marks his fourth or fifth major comeback after near-losses in prior market crashes.
Masa's Unique Path to Wealth
- Unlike other tech moguls, Masa Son's wealth isn't tied to a single company he founded.
- He acts as a middleman, identifying promising technologies and investing strategically.
The Nasdaq Whale
- Masa Son's Northstar, an in-house hedge fund, made large bets on tech stocks, earning him the nickname "Nasdaq whale."
- Despite initial success, ignoring warnings led to significant losses after stocks declined.