Whale Secures $60 Million to Expand its Enterprise AI Suite Globally
SINGAPORE, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Whale, a Singapore-based enterprise Artificial Intelligence company, has announced the successful completion of two consecutive funding rounds— Series C1 and Series C2 —raising a total of over USD 60 million.
In its May 2025 Series C2 round, Whale brought in new strategic investors, including BOSCH Ventures, MTR Lab, Singtel Innov8, MDI Ventures, and Gentree Fund. This follows the Series C1 round completed in 2023 which had participation from existing investor Temasek and Linear Capital.
Products
AI to See, Hear, Express, and Think
Whale builds AI-native enterprise product solutions designed to help businesses automate operations, accelerate decision-making, and gain deeper customer insight. Its platform integrates advanced AI, IoT, and data infrastructure technologies—offering a secure and scalable foundation for intelligent business transformation.
With over 60 fine-tuned private AI models built specifically for enterprise use, Whale continues to invest heavily in generative AI, IoT infrastructure, and data operations.
Overview
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Singapore, Whale supports over 600 enterprise customers across more than 20 countries. Its AI solutions power a diverse range of industries, including fashion, luxury, food and beverage, consumer electronics, retail, healthcare, and automotive.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
2 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Posco to sell off non-core overseas units in China, Vietnam
Posco Group is fast-tracking the restructuring of its non-core subsidiaries, divesting low-performing overseas businesses as part of a broader strategy to reallocate resources toward high-potential sectors, particularly battery materials. According to industry sources on Monday, Posco International, the trading and resources arm of Posco Group, has agreed to sell its entire stake in Suzhou Pohang Steel to Guangdong Wcan Magnetic Materials. The transaction, valued in the 40 billion won ($29 million) range, is expected to close by June 30. Founded in 2005, Suzhou Pohang Steel, a China steel processing subsidiary, specializes in processing electrical steel and manufacturing motor components, supplying Posco products throughout eastern China. 'It is true that the sale is part of our ongoing restructuring efforts, but final confirmation from the buyer and specific deal terms are still being finalized,' a Posco Group official said. The decision reflects Posco International's strategic assessment that continued operations in China's oversaturated steel market are no longer necessary. Deteriorating conditions for Korean companies in China, exacerbated by rising geopolitical tensions such as US-China trade friction, also contributed to the move. In a separate deal, Posco Engineering & Construction is negotiating the sale of its Vietnamese subsidiary, Posco E&C Vietnam. Busan-based auto parts maker Seoil Casting has been selected as the preferred bidder, and discussions over detailed terms are underway. The subsidiary has been involved in various local construction projects, including steel structures and plant facilities. The deal is estimated to be worth around 17 billion won. Established in 1995 as a joint venture between Posco Construction and Vietnamese state-owned Lilama, holding 70 percent and 30 percent stakes respectively, Posco E&C Vietnam became wholly owned by Posco after it acquired Lilama's stake in 2010. However, the unit has faced persistent challenges, with reports indicating it had fallen into complete capital erosion by mid-2023. The recent moves are part of a broader restructuring initiative announced last year, under which Posco plans to liquidate or divest more than 120 underperforming or non-essential businesses by 2026. The goal is to raise some 2.6 trillion won to reinvest into its core pillars: steel and battery materials. As of the first quarter, the group had already achieved 40 percent of the target.
Korea Herald
3 hours ago
- Korea Herald
AESC delay opens door for Korean battery trio in BMW's US EV plans
LG, SK emerge as top contenders, with local production, tariff resilience, advanced 46-series tech Faced with shifting US policy and trade risks, AESC — a Japan-based battery maker majority-owned by China's Envision Group — has paused its $1.6 billion battery cell factory project in South Carolina, originally intended to supply BMW electric vehicles. The move underscores Korean battery firms as potential alternatives for the German automaker, given their accelerated push to expand US-based production. 'Due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time,' AESC said in a recent statement. While no timeline was given, the company said it would 'resume construction once circumstances stabilize' and reiterated its pledge to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster noted that AESC is navigating potential fallout from the loss of federal EV subsidies and tax incentives, as well as tariff risks linked to US President Donald Trump's return to power. AESC said it has already invested $1 billion in the Florence facility — its second US production site after an ongoing project in Kentucky. The company had earlier scaled back plans to build two plants in South Carolina, saying one would suffice to meet BMW's projected demand. Despite AESC's construction pause, BMW confirmed it will proceed with the opening of its $700 million battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina, by 2026. The automaker had originally planned to use AESC's 46-series cylindrical cells — 46 millimeters in diameter — in its next-generation EV lineup, including the 'BMW Vision Neue Klasse.' By 2030, BMW aims to produce at least six all-electric models in the US. Industry insiders say the disruption in AESC's US supply could open doors for Korean battery makers. Among them, Samsung SDI began supplying the larger cylindrical batteries to a US carmaker for the first time in March. LG Energy Solution is set to begin mass production in the latter half of this year, while SK On has completed its development process. 'AESC, acquired by Hong Kong's Envision Group in 2018, managed to bypass US trade barriers targeting the Chinese EV supply chain due to its Japanese origins,' said Park Cheol-wan, an automotive engineering professor at Seojeong University. 'Its pause could signal a cautious approach amid trade tensions — or a strategic pullback by BMW in its US EV plans.' Yang Min-ho, an energy engineering professor at Dankook University, noted, 'Given BMW's commitment to the US market and the likelihood that it will need to expand local production under Trump's protectionist trade stance, the automaker will likely seek to fill the gap in its battery supply chain.' He added that BMW could turn to LG Energy Solution or SK On, both of which have US production sites and carry less tariff risk. As of June, LG Energy Solution and SK On are operating or building seven and four facilities, respectively, in North America, including joint ventures with major automakers. BMW's tariff woes Before the Trump administration's shifting tariff policies targeting both allies and adversaries, BMW's US EV strategy relied on importing vehicles assembled in Europe — primarily Germany — while ramping up its production capacity in North America. BMW's key battery suppliers in Europe, Samsung SDI and China's CATL, signed long-term contracts in 2019 extending through 2031. These deals played a crucial role in BMW's European EV push and allowed the automaker to allocate part of its European output to the US. Meanwhile, BMW had also looked to cost-competitive battery producers like AESC for US supply. But after facing a 27.5 percent tariff on passenger cars imported from EU countries, the company has been under growing pressure to increase domestic production. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently announced plans to offset US tariffs by equalizing the value of automobile trade. The proposal would allow duty-free imports of US-made cars into Germany in exchange for equivalent tariff waivers on German cars shipped to the US. However, based on the recent US–UK tariff arrangement — which limits 10 percent tariffs to just 100,000 vehicles from the UK — Germany's roughly 400,000 annual car exports to the US may only benefit from partial tariff relief. 'Even though Germany has more at stake than the UK, Trump is unlikely to offer full waivers on German cars,' said Yang.
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
DHL's E-Commerce Trends Report 2025: AI and social media reshaping online shopping in Asia Pacific
SINGAPORE, June 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL eCommerce has released its E-Commerce Trends Report 2025, drawing on insights from 24, 000 online shoppers across 24 key markets worldwide. For the Asia Pacific region, results show that delivery remains a significant barrier to purchase completion, with 77% of Asia Pacific shoppers abandoning their carts when their preferred delivery options are unavailable. Social commerce continues to rise in popularity, with 85% of the region's consumers expected to shop primarily through social media by 2030, bypassing traditional retail sites. Meanwhile, AI-driven shopping tools are in high demand, as 81% of shoppers seek features such as virtual try-ons and voice search to assist their purchasing decisions. This year's study comprises eight chapters, featuring six shopper types across four generational segments, and highlights how evolving consumer expectations are reshaping the future of online retail. While the report addresses an extensive range of topics from cross-border purchasing to shoppers' views on sale days like Black Friday, four key findings stand out: the transformative impact of AI and social commerce on online shopping, the crucial role of delivery options in converting carts, and sustainability shaping customer loyalty. "Asia Pacific has always been at the forefront of e-commerce due to its growing population of young, digital natives. The region's online shoppers know what they like, and it's important to recognize those changing behaviors that could make a significant difference to maintaining customer loyalty. As more of us shop online, we want a smooth experience. This is the entire journey from browsing to deciding if the item suits, to knowing that we have delivery options before making a convenient yet secure payment. Large and small business owners can rely on DHL eCommerce's insights and expertise to curate an experience that meets the needs of their customers," said Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce. Shopping powered by AI: Smarter Journeys, Higher Expectations Advancements in generative AI are ushering in the next industrial revolution. But how will AI impact online shopping? DHL's latest e-commerce trend report reveals that AI is one of the most highly anticipated and demanded innovations among consumers, with 81% of shoppers in Asia Pacific wanting retailers to offer AI-powered shopping features. Virtual try-ons, AI-powered shopping assistants, and voice-enabled product search top the list of features consumers actively want to use. Shopping via voice commands is already on the rise, where about one in two (47%) of shoppers in the region make hands-free purchases. As digital expectations rise, so does the demand for intuitive, tech-enabled shopping journeys that blend utility with delight. Social Commerce Becomes the New E-Commerce The traditional e-commerce website is increasingly being replaced, or bypassed, by social platforms. Consumers are turning to apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook not just for discovery, but for purchase. In Asia Pacific, 85% of shoppers say they have already made a purchase via social media. This is expected to stay with more than eight out of 10 (85%) expect these platforms to become their primary shopping destination by 2030. The power of influence also plays a critical role: 87% of shoppers in Asia Pacific say viral trends and social buzz influence their buying decisions. TikTok, in particular, is driving change in markets such as Thailand and Malaysia, where 86% and 81% of online shoppers, respectively, report buying through the app. This shift signals a major transformation in the methods brands need to engage with their audiences, and calls for seamless, mobile-native experiences built for in-app conversion. Delivery and Returns: The Ultimate Conversion Drivers While new technologies continue to transform the digital shopping experience, the fundamentals of delivery and returns remain the biggest drivers of cart abandonment. Shoppers are not willing to compromise when it comes to convenience, flexibility, and control. 77% of consumers in the region will abandon their purchase if their preferred delivery option is not available. Just as critically, 75% will leave if the return process does not match their expectations. Trust also plays a major role, with 65% of shoppers in Asia Pacific reporting that they will not buy from a retailer if they do not trust the returns provider. These expectations emphasize the importance of transparent, customer-centric logistics strategies — not just as an operational concern, but as a core part of the conversion funnel. Sustainability and the Circular Economy: From Buzzword to Bottom-Line Impact Sustainability has evolved from a brand differentiator into a core consumer demand. In Asia Pacific, 79% of shoppers now consider sustainability when making online purchases. A significantly high consensus comes from India, where 92% find sustainability important when making an online purchase. This goes beyond packaging or shipping — one in two (49%) shoppers have abandoned their carts due to sustainability concerns. Consumers in Asia Pacific are also embracing more circular models of consumption, with 52% opting for pre-owned or refurbished goods, motivated by both environmental values and cost efficiency. Additionally, 72% of shoppers in Asia Pacific express a willingness to participate in recycling or buy-back programs offered by retailers, with 85% of survey respondents from China indicating that they would do so. These behaviors point to a growing expectation that brands will not only reduce their footprint but also actively empower consumers to shop more sustainably. As we look towards 2030, these insights provide a clear roadmap for retailers aiming to capture the attention of today's diverse shopper demographics. By embracing technology, prioritizing sustainability, and understanding the evolving preferences of consumers, businesses can transform challenges into opportunities. Further insights and information, as well as the full report, are available under the following link: or About the DHL E-Commerce Trends Report 2025 The E-Commerce Trends Report 2025 surveyed 24,000 consumers from Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Its findings offer actionable insights for e-commerce brands seeking to meet changing expectations, personalize experiences, and create growth through smarter logistics and innovation. Asia Pacific markets include Australia, China, India, Malaysia and Thailand. – End – You can find the press release for download as well as further information on On the internet: Follow us at: DHL – The logistics company for the world DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world". DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
