Recent eports circulated that Apple has recently held talks with the Japanese telecommunications giant, SoftBank, about investing up to $1 billion in a new tech fund. The investment would give Apple insight into up-and-coming technologies.
The SoftBank Group has earlier stated and claimed that its aim to raise $100 billion, and Apple may be considering an investment to the tech fund. Although the discussion between the two companies has not finalized any agreement, the tech fund may become one of the world's biggest if Apple pushes through with being an investor.
If company Apple goes on with the investment, it would not be the first time for the two companies to work together. SoftBank has previously collaborated with Apple on the release of the iPhone in Japan.
The telecom giant hopes to launch the fund next year. The SoftBank Vision Fund aims to prioritize development of emerging technologies.
The company has been securing deals on technology, one of which was the purchase of chip designer ARM for about $32 billion. The company bought ARM as part of its efforts to push into the interconnectivity of more devices and objects to the web.
After the meeting between President-elect Donald Trump and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son last week, the tech mogul announced its plan to invest $50 billion in the U.S. Mr. Trump took credit for the announcement saying that the CEO would not have pledged to invest had he not won the election.
The CEO, however, did not comment on the claim. He said that he met the incoming president to congratulate him in his victory.
Although Apple invested $1 billion in Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing in May, the $1 billion possible investment on the tech fund is said to be a rare move for Apple as the company does not frequently make high-profile purchases.
Join the Conversation