Taizo Son

$2.10 B

Ranked #828 in World

About Taizo Son

Taizo Son, a notable Japanese businessman of Korean descent and the younger sibling of SoftBank's Masayoshi Son, has made significant strides in the business world. Since launching GungHo in 2002 and becoming its chairman, Son witnessed the company's market value soar to $10.4 billion by 2013, establishing him as a billionaire. Born in Tosu City, Japan, in 1972, Son's educational journey took him from Kurume University's secondary school to studying business administration at the University of Tokyo. His career, marked by innovation and entrepreneurship, includes co-founding Onsale in 1998, which evolved into GungHo, leading to its public listing in 2005. In 2013, he founded Mistletoe, further contributing to the startup ecosystem. Recently, in 2023, Son co-founded The Edgeof and played a pivotal role in acquiring SoftBank Ventures Asia, aiming to create a comprehensive ecosystem for startups across Asia. His leadership roles extend beyond business, serving on the board of ETIC to support young entrepreneurs.

Born

September 29, 1972 in Tosu, Saga, Japan

Age

53 years

Source Of Wealth

Gaming

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

Japan

Residence

Tokyo

Education

Bachelor of Arts / Science, Tokyo University

Taizo Son was born on September 29, 1972, in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan. He is the youngest brother of SoftBank magnate Masayoshi Son. Taizo Son graduated from a secondary school connected to Kurume University and later studied business administration at the University of Tokyo.

Taizo Son: Family

Taizo Son is of Korean ancestry and is the youngest of three brothers. His father, Masaru Son, was a businessman, and his mother, Masako Son, was a homemaker.

Taizo Son: Career Highlights

Taizo Son co-founded Onsale in 1998, which later became GungHo. He managed GungHo as CEO and took it public on Nippon New Market Hercules (later JASDAQ) in 2005. GungHo's market value reached $10.4 billion in 2013 due to the success of its gaming mobile app Puzzle & Dragons.

In addition to GungHo, Taizo Son has founded several other companies, including seed stage accelerator MOVIDA JAPAN in 2009, Mistletoe in 2013, and business and innovation hub SPECTRUM in 2018. He also co-founded The Edgeof in 2023, an ecosystem builder and venture capital entity that acquired SoftBank Ventures Asia in the same year.

Taizo Son: Companies

Onsale (co-founded in 1998, later became GungHo)
GungHo (CEO and chairman)
MOVIDA JAPAN (seed stage accelerator, founded in 2009)
Mistletoe (hub for startups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, founded in 2013)
SPECTRUM (business and innovation hub, co-founded in 2018)
The Edgeof (ecosystem builder and venture capital entity, co-founded in 2023)

Taizo Son: Major Achievements

Took GungHo public on Nippon New Market Hercules (later JASDAQ) in 2005.
GungHo's market value reached $10.4 billion in 2013 due to the success of its gaming mobile app Puzzle & Dragons.
Founded Mistletoe, a hub for startups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Relocated to Singapore in 2018 and co-founded business and innovation hub SPECTRUM.
Co-founded The Edgeof in 2023, an ecosystem builder and venture capital entity.
The Edgeof acquired SoftBank Ventures Asia in 2023 to establish a pan-Asian ecosystem for startups.

Taizo Son: Awards & Achievements

Serves on the board of ETIC, an institute supporting young social entrepreneurs.

Taizo Son: Personal Life & Legacy

Taizo Son is married and has two children. He is known for his philanthropic efforts and has donated to various causes, including education and entrepreneurship.

Taizo Son: Trivia

Taizo Son is a fan of baseball and supports the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
He is also an avid golfer and has participated in several charity golf tournaments.
Taizo Son is fluent in Japanese, English, and Korean.

Wealth History

Timeline

September 29, 1972

Taizo Son is born in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

1998

Taizo Son co-founds Onsale, which later becomes GungHo.

2002

Taizo Son founds mobile gaming company GungHo.

2005

Taizo Son manages GungHo as CEO and takes it public on Nippon New Market Hercules (later JASDAQ).

2009

Taizo Son founds seed stage accelerator MOVIDA JAPAN, supporting 47 startups.

2013

Taizo Son founds Mistletoe, a hub for startups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

2013

GungHo's market value reaches $10.4 billion due to the success of its gaming mobile app Puzzle & Dragons.

2018

Taizo Son relocates to Singapore and co-founds business and innovation hub SPECTRUM.

2023

Taizo Son co-founds The Edgeof, an ecosystem builder and venture capital entity.

2023

The Edgeof acquires SoftBank Ventures Asia to establish a pan-Asian ecosystem for startups.

Taizo Son : FAQs

What is Taizo Son's net worth?

As of 2014, Taizo Son's net worth was $2.10 billion.

What are Taizo Son's main sources of wealth?

Taizo Son's main source of income comes from Gaming.

In which industry does Taizo Son primarily operate?

Taizo Son is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Taizo Son educational background?

Taizo Son holds a Bachelor of Arts / Science from Tokyo University.

How old is Taizo Son?

Taizo Son is 53 years old.

Who is Taizo Son and what companies has he founded?

Taizo Son is a Japanese businessman of Korean ancestry, CEO of Mistletoe, and chairman of mobile gaming company GungHo. He founded Mistletoe in 2013 and co-founded GungHo in 2002.

What are Taizo Son's contributions to the gaming industry?

Taizo Son significantly contributed to the gaming industry as the chairman of GungHo, whose market value hit $10.4 billion in 2013, largely due to the success of its mobile gaming app, Puzzle & Dragons.

How did Taizo Son begin his career and what led to his billionaire status?

Taizo Son began his career by co-founding Onsale in 1998, which later evolved into GungHo. He led GungHo to a public listing in 2005 and its market value soared to $10.4 billion in 2013, making him a billionaire.

How has Taizo Son contributed to the startup ecosystem beyond his business ventures?

Beyond his business ventures, Taizo Son founded MOVIDA JAPAN in 2009 to support startups, relocated to Singapore to co-found business and innovation hub SPECTRUM in 2018, and co-founded The Edgeof in 2023, signaling his dedication to fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem globally.