Uber Technologies Inc. and delivery firm DoorDash Inc. are reported to have discussed a possible merger last year at the behest of SoftBank Group Corp., a key investor in both companies through its Vision Fund, but the talks did not result in a deal.

The Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported today that SoftBank urged Uber and DoorDash to discuss the merger. Although the initial talks between the two companies failed, both companies have not ruled out the idea of resuming talks in the future. Uber and DoorDash declined to comment on the report.

The synergies between both companies, when it comes to food delivery, are obvious. Uber Eats has been a standout subsidiary for Uber in terms of growth, though it’s not yet profitable. DoorDash, which was valued at $13 billion as of its last venture capital round in November, is the current market leader in food delivery in the U.S., with a 35% market share ahead of GrubHub Inc. at 30% and Uber Eats at 20%.

DoorDash combined with Uber Eats potentially would hold a 55% market share in the U.S., a position that would allow the combined company finally to break out and own a market that has been and continues to be highly competitive.

GrubHub, the No. 2 player by market share, is also struggling and was said to be placing itself on the auction block Jan. 8. Although that’s unconfirmed, the report said GrubHub had hired financial advisers to explore the prospect of a sale. Uber was rumored to be a potential buyer, along with Amazon.com Inc.

One thing that’s clear is that SoftBank is growing tired of its portfolio companies losing money, let alone competing with each other.

A separate report in The Wall Street Journal noted that Uber is under siege in Latin America amid a bruising price war between rivals Didi Chuxing Technology Co. and Rappi. All three companies are funded by SoftBank. That competition may be great for consumers, but it’s not so great when all the companies are losing money despite sharing the same investor.

SoftBank, Japan’s largest telecommunications company as well as one of the world’s largest venture capital firms, was reported Jan. 6 to be backing out of some startup investments. Apparently it has grown tired of taking high-risk investments after being burned by the implosion and subsequent takeover of WeWork last year.

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