Career Principles and Book Discussion with Alok Sama

Former SoftBank President and CFO
Author, The Money Trap
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Alok Sama

Alok Sama was the chief dealmaker at SoftBank, the backer of Arm Holdings, Yahoo, Nvidia, TikTok, Uber, T-Mobile, Alibaba and WeWork. In his first book The Money Trap, Sama discusses the inside story of some of these deals and presents a stranger-than-fiction personal odyssey featuring his experiences alongside SoftBank's iconic founder, Masayoshi Son, a maverick who wants to be remembered as “the crazy guy who bet on the future” and whose mission is “happiness for everyone.” Sama takes us on a wild journey as he consorts with A-list CEOs and heads of state, and negotiates mega-deals on a Gulfstream jet, Son's sanctuary with its exquisite Japanese garden, and a waterside restaurant in the Turkish Riviera—all while contending with a mysterious dark-arts smear campaign that takes a toll on his private life.
‘Sama’s witty, incisive and introspective writing is a genuine pleasure to read ... a simultaneously funny and eye-opening memoir from a globe-trotting protagonist’ – Bradley Hope, bestselling co-author of Billion Dollar Whale

‘A riveting page-turner about the world of technology and dealmaking’ – Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

A gripping and entertaining memoir that shines a rare light on the people that are reshaping our world.


The Money Trap is Sama’s thrilling, stranger-than-fiction personal odyssey detailing his experiences alongside SoftBank’s iconic founder Masayoshi Son – a visionary maverick who wants to be remembered as ‘the crazy guy who bet on the future’ and whose mission is ‘happiness for everyone’. Sama takes the reader on a wild ride as he consorts with billionaire CEOs and heads of state, negotiates mega-deals across the world and contends with a mysterious dark-arts smear campaign that takes a toll on his private life.This fascinating and humorous saga provides a unique insider perspective on an industry that is disrupting our daily lives.

Written with self-deprecating wit, unflinching honesty and searing introspection, The Money Trap is ultimately a morality tale: in life, as in technology investing, more money isn’t always the answer.
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