SoftBank to acquire stake in Icertis., valuing tech company at $5 bn

SoftBank Group Corp. is nearing a deal to buy a stake in technology unicorn Icertis Inc., valuing the enterprise software maker at about $5 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Japanese investor will pay about $80 million for the stake owned by Fidelity-backed Eight Roads Ventures, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isn’t public. SoftBank is also looking to further raise its holdings in Icertis, the people said.

Icertis, which is based in Bellevue, Washington and has operations in India, is planning a potential initial public offering in the U.S. as early as next year, the people said.