
TOKYO -- A string of Chinese technology companies backed by SoftBank Group are gearing up for initial public offerings in Hong Kong, testing the Japanese technology group's path to recovery after racking up losses last year.
Artificial intelligence company Qingdao AInnovation Technology Group kicked off its IPO on Monday, looking to raise up to 1.2 billion Hong Kong dollars ($154 million) through shares that are set to start trading on Jan. 27. A company jointly held by SoftBank's Vision Fund 2 and SoftBank Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son has a 7.12% stake in Qingdao AInnovation after investing $115 million in May 2021, according to the IPO prospectus.