SoftBank in early talks to buy security firm Allied Universal for up to $18 billion

SoftBank Group is in early-stage talks to acquire security firm Allied Universal from its private-equity backers, in a deal that could value the company at up to $18 billion excluding debt. The acquisition would mark the Japanese conglomerate's latest push into AI and robotics. Allied Universal, backed by Warburg Pincus and La Caisse, operates in over 100 countries with about $23 billion in annual revenue. SoftBank has recently pivoted to AI-focused investments, including a $64 billion stake in OpenAI and a $5.4 billion robotics deal with ABB. Allied has integrated AI-powered tools into its security offerings, such as real-time data collection and GPS tracking. Its backers, who invested in the company since 2015, could see substantial gains from the potential sale.