Singapore-based Whale has secured an additional $40 million in its Series C funding round for its enterprise AI operating system.
This significant financial backing shows growing investor confidence in practical AI solutions that directly integrate with and optimise real-world industrial operations. Unlike abstract software, Whale’s technology targets tangible improvements in how manufacturing, automotive, and other sectors function daily. This signals the market values operational impact over theoretical capabilities.
Engineering Whale’s AI Operating System for Physical Workflows
Founded by Jerry Ye, a former Meta data scientist, Whale developed its AI Operating System (AIOS) to help organisations comprehend and automate their physical business environments. The core of this system is its proprietary Business World Model (BWM). This advanced AI model interprets signals collected from cameras, sensors, and audio devices.
The BWM processes real-world information to create actionable insights, similar to how large language models interpret textual data. This capability lets businesses move beyond traditional digital automation. It addresses the complexities of their physical operations directly.
Translating real-world data into actionable intelligence
The BWM’s ability to translate raw environmental data into structured intelligence represents a significant engineering feat. It effectively bridges the gap between a chaotic factory floor or logistics hub and the precise demands of AI-driven optimisation. This holistic approach is critical for true industrial automation.
Whale’s AIOS serves diverse industries, including retail, automotive, manufacturing, finance, food, healthcare, and telecommunications. For engineers and operations professionals, it provides a crucial tool to automate workflows, enhance compliance, and offer a deeper understanding of ongoing business activities.
Key Investors Propel Global Expansion
The latest Series C3 extension saw CMB International and SMBC Asia Rising Fund (SARF) stepping in as lead investors. SARF is the corporate venture capital arm of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Their participation highlights a strategic alignment with Whale’s vision for industrial transformation.
Additional investors joining this round include Krungsri Finnovate, part of MUFG, Singtel Innov8, Hyundai Motor Group, and Charisma Partners. This broad base of support from diverse global entities speaks volumes about the perceived value and engineering soundness of Whale’s technology.
Industry leaders support AIOS development
Dr. Zhang Guoyong, General Manager, Private Equity Investment Management Department at CMB International, noted Whale’s proven track record. He highlighted its capacity to execute complex enterprise AI deployments across multiple industries and markets. This indicates confidence in the underlying engineering and scalability of the platform.
Mayor an Rajendra, Managing Director and Head of AI Transformation Office at SMBC Group, pointed to Whale’s unique ability to organise data from physical environments into actionable business intelligence. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of Whale’s technology across critical sectors, leveraging SMBC Group’s international client network.
Keith Noh, Vice President and Head of ZER01NE at Hyundai Motor Group, sees direct applications for the technology within their business. He believes Whale’s AI can be utilised across the Group’s sales, marketing, customer engagement, and service areas. This demonstrates the cross-functional utility of the AIOS beyond just core production.
Earlier Series C1 and C2 rounds, completed in early 2023 and May 2025 respectively, had already secured over $60 million. These rounds attracted investments from prominent backers like Temasek, Linear Capital, BOSCH Ventures, MTR Lab, MDI Ventures, and Gentree Fund.
Expanding Reach in Key Industrial Regions
The fresh capital infusion directly supports Whale’s aggressive global growth ambitions. The company plans to scale its teams internationally, deepen existing enterprise partnerships, and enhance platform integrations with local infrastructure. This ensures their AIOS can adapt to varied operational demands worldwide.
Whale is actively targeting significant expansion in North America, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the Middle East (MENA), and Europe. These regions possess substantial industrial bases. This makes them prime targets for advanced automation solutions such as Whale’s enterprise AI operating system.
Advancing the core Business World Model
A key focus for the newly raised funds is the continuous iteration of the core Business World Model. Whale aims to strengthen its “perception-cognition-execution chain.” This engineering objective refines how the AIOS perceives real-world data, processes it into understanding, and then triggers automated actions.
Whale also plans to co-develop standardised cross-industry AI solutions alongside its global partners. This collaborative strategy will foster broader adoption. It also ensures the platform remains relevant and adaptable across various industrial contexts.
The company, which relocated its headquarters to Singapore in 2022 after being founded in 2017, already maintains a growing presence in North America. It also leads enterprise AI adoption across key APAC markets, including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. This established footprint provides a strong foundation for the next phase of expansion.
Impact on Manufacturing and Engineering Productivity
Whale’s enhanced financial position translates into accelerated development and deployment of AI solutions critical for modern manufacturing and engineering. The AIOS’s ability to process real-world data from sensors and cameras changes how industrial facilities can be managed. This moves beyond traditional data analysis to real-time operational intelligence.
For operations professionals, this means more precise control over production lines, improved predictive maintenance, and more efficient resource allocation. The integration of AI with physical operations through the BWM promises to unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency. This represents a tangible step forward for industrial connectivity.
Streamlining workflows and ensuring compliance
The drive for automation extends beyond simple task repetition. Whale’s platform aims to automate complex workflows, ensuring tighter compliance with regulatory standards and internal protocols. This is particularly vital in heavily regulated industries like manufacturing and automotive.
Errors in these sectors can have severe consequences, making the system’s real-time, comprehensive view of operational health invaluable. As companies increasingly seek AI platforms that merge operational intelligence with automation, the demand for systems like Whale’s Business World Model will only intensify. Its holistic approach to managing both digital and physical business environments at scale is becoming indispensable for industrial success.
