Yossi Cohen, the former director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, has been appointed as a strategic advisor at SoftBank. This promotion elevates him from his previous position as head of Israeli operations, placing him in the inner circle of founder and CEO Masayoshi Son. The move underscores a significant strategic pivot for the Japanese investment giant towards artificial intelligence and related infrastructure.
A History of Successful Cybersecurity Investments
During his five-year tenure leading SoftBank's Israeli operations, Cohen established a strong record of identifying lucrative opportunities in the tech sector. He was instrumental in guiding Vision Fund 2's investments into several high-profile cybersecurity firms, including Wiz, Claroty, and Cato Networks. These ventures have proven to be highly successful, generating substantial returns and validating his strategic insight.
The investment in cloud security company Wiz stands out as a particularly notable success under Cohen's guidance. SoftBank invested when the company was valued at $12 billion, later profiting as its valuation soared to $32 billion, delivering significant returns. This ability to pinpoint valuable technology with national security implications is widely seen as a direct benefit of his extensive intelligence background.
A New Role in a Shifting Landscape
Cohen's promotion coincides with a major strategic transformation within SoftBank, as the company moves away from the classic venture capital model of its Vision Fund. Founder Masayoshi Son is now directing the parent company's focus toward more direct, large-scale investments in foundational AI technologies. This shift has seen many managers depart the Vision Fund while the core company doubles down on its new AI-first mission.
In his expanded capacity, Cohen will focus on these new strategic priorities, including financing data centers and investing in cloud processing and semiconductor companies. His remit will now extend globally, with significant time spent in the United States and Europe to engage with key industry executives. This new role aligns his expertise with SoftBank's most critical growth areas for the future.
Financial Performance Validates AI Pivot
SoftBank's strategic realignment is supported by strong financial results from its recent technology investments. The company recently reported a significant $8.2 billion profit from an investment in Intel, showcasing the success of its targeted approach. Furthermore, the public offering of chip designer ARM, which SoftBank still controls, has been exceptionally successful, with its stock rising dramatically.
The remaining assets within the Vision Fund also reflect the strength of the AI market, further justifying the company's pivot. In the second quarter of 2026, the fund's value increased by $1.7 billion, largely due to the rising valuation of its stake in ByteDance. Holdings in OpenAI have also contributed significantly to the fund's value, reinforcing the financial logic behind the company's AI-centric strategy.
Yossi Cohen's appointment as strategic advisor is a clear indicator of SoftBank's direction and his value within the organization. The promotion leverages his proven investment acumen, particularly in high-stakes technology, while aligning him with the company's ambitious AI-focused agenda. He is now positioned as a pivotal figure in helping Masayoshi Son navigate the next chapter of technological investment and innovation.