SoftBank will complete its long-awaited investment agreement with Uber Thursday, two sources told CNBC, making SoftBank the company’s largest shareholder and providing a huge payday for both co-founder Travis Kalanick and other early backers.

Travis Kalanick, who was ousted as CEO last year after a controversial run, will get $1.4 billion from the deal, making him officially a billionaire.

Uber has said the deal, which was expected to close this month, would value the company at about $48 billion, a haircut from its previous valuation of nearly $70 billion. But the investment will also provide liquidity for early employees, easing tension as the ride-hailing company aims for a 2019 public offering.

SoftBank has become an aggressive investor in Silicon Valley, and will enter Uber’s board as the company recovers from a massive data breach, regulatory scrutiny and a damaging workplace culture report.

The governance changes that accompany the deal also mark a milestone for CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who has now successfully consolidated power at a company that was rife with infighting when he arrived.

SoftBank is an investor Didi Chuxing, the majority owner of Uber’s China operations, and has also backed Grab, a ride-hailing company in Southeast Asia, as well as India’s Ola.

Source: Tech CNBC
Uber ex-CEO Travis Kalanick will officially be a billionaire Thursday, as deal with SoftBank closes