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Whale Raises $40M Series C3 Extension, Bringing Total Series C to $100M, to Scale Global Enterprise AI Operations

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SINGAPORE, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With its Series C now reaching $100 million, Whale, a global enterprise AI company, today announced a $40 million extension as it scales its global enterprise AI deployments. The round was led by CMB International (via an investment fund under CMBI that focus on AI and frontier technology) and SMBC Asia Rising Fund (SARF, the corporate venture capital fund of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation), with participation from Krungsri Finnovate (CVC arm of Krungsri / Bank of Ayudhya, part of MUFG), Singtel Innov8, Hyundai Motor Group, and Charisma Partners. Earlier Series C participants include Bosch Ventures, MTR Lab, MDI Ventures, Gentree Fund, and Linear Capital. 

Whale builds the AI Operating System (AIOS) for enterprise operations, connecting digital and real-world workflows through its proprietary Business World Model (BWM) — an AI model designed to interpret signals from cameras, sensors, and audio the way large language models process text. Headquartered in Singapore, with a growing base in North America, Whale leads enterprise AI adoption across Asia-Pacific — including Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and beyond. The company serves more than 1,600 enterprises in 45+ countries across retail, automotive, F&B, manufacturing, financial services, and more. Managing 600,000+ edge AI nodes globally, its solutions help businesses tackle challenges from compliance auditing and service quality to operational efficiency. 

Whale Scales Global AI Deployments

This Series C3 extends Whale’s reach across North America and APAC, with MENA and Europe on the horizon. “This new funding isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s about advancing what we’ve built here,” said Jerry Ye, Founder and CEO of Whale. “We’re scaling our teams globally, deepening enterprise partnerships, and expanding our platform integrations with local infrastructure. Enterprises across regions are grappling with rising operational costs, and the urgent need to turn unstructured operational data into decision-ready intelligence, and we’re already delivering that today.”  

Strategic investors see the same inflection point. “We have witnessed retail digitization undergo a fundamental shift, from tool integration to AI-native operations, and see the AI-driven efficiency trend as irreversible,” said Zheng Xiang, VP of Charisma Partners. “Whale’s perception-cognition-execution loop reshapes the operational foundation for enterprises, and we believe Whale is poised to lead the next generation of enterprise AI infrastructure.”

The AI Operating System: Unifying Enterprise Operations at Scale

Enterprises don’t need more software; they need an operating system that connects online data with physical environments — turning every store, showroom, and facility into an intelligent, responsive operation. Whale’s flagship vision and voice products are the primary entry points for operational transformation. SpaceSight converts cameras and IoT sensors across stores, showrooms, and commercial facilities into real-time intelligence, measuring foot traffic, dwell time, engagement, and operational compliance, so businesses can optimize performance without adding headcount. Echo analyzes frontline sales conversations to identify what top performers do differently, turning those insights into scalable coaching programs that address the high-turnover challenge facing businesses today. 

Both are powered by the BWM, giving enterprises a continuously updated model of how their operations run and generating direct, executable actions at scale. SpaceSight and Echo feed into the rest of Whale’s platform — Lume for AI-powered content distribution, Alivia for workflow automation and intelligent agents, Harbor for knowledge management and compliance, and Novus for AI infrastructure and governance — together forming a full-stack AI OS for enterprise operations.

“Whale’s ability to unlock and structure data from physical environments — enabling enterprises to turn real-world activities into actionable intelligence — is particularly compelling. By combining Whale’s technology with SMBC Group’s global client network and industry expertise, we look forward to delivering value across industries and regions,” said Mayoran Rajendra, Managing Director and Head of AI Transformation Office, SMBC Group.

Strategic Investors Back Whale’s Global Scale-Up

Across financial services, telecommunications, automotive, and multinational commerce, investors are drawn by the same thesis: a proprietary AI foundation seven years in the making.

For CMBI, Whale’s AI deployments across Asia-Pacific and its growing global commercial traction made the decision clear. “Whale has built a strong technology foundation with a clear direction in enterprise AI, and Jerry and his team have demonstrated the ability to execute across complex, real-world deployments, which is rare at this scale,” said Dr. Zhang Guoyong, General Manager of the Private Equity Investment Management Department, CMBI. “We see long-term potential in their approach and are pleased to support their next phase of growth.” 

That execution resonates regionally. Krungsri Finnovate identified a strategic match between Whale’s end-to-end AI and its own ASEAN networks. “Whale is one of the few players with native, enterprise-grade AI capable of powering a full-suite, omnichannel product across the entire customer journey — and that capability is exactly why we chose to invest through Finnoventure Private Equity Trust I. With Krungsri’s strong footprint in Thailand and ASEAN, and MUFG’s global network behind us, we’re well placed to support Whale’s expansion across the region.” said Palida Artispong, Acting Managing Director and Head of Portfolio Growth and Investor Relations, Krungsri Finnovate.

Hyundai Motor Group zeroed in on a different dimension: the ability to move AI beyond software and into actual business results. “We are excited to support Whale as it scales an enterprise AI platform that goes beyond software enablement to address real-world business operations — translating innovation into tangible business impact for customers across sales, marketing, service, and customer engagement,” said Keith Noh, VP and Head of ZER01NE, Hyundai Motor Group. “As Whale deepens its presence across key global markets, we look forward to partnering with the team on its next phase of growth.”

The confidence extends to Whale’s earliest backers. Linear Capital has followed Jerry and the team from the beginning, and sees the momentum compounding. “We’ve watched Jerry and the Whale team continuously embed AI capabilities deeply into enterprise products, and their ability to evolve alongside AI has produced rapid growth in both product strength and global reach. As one of Whale’s earliest investors, Linear Capital looks forward to seeing Whale emerge as a global leader in enterprise AI,” said Zheng Can, Managing Director, Linear Capital.

About Whale

Whale is an enterprise AI company building the AI Operating System for enterprise operations. Its platform — SpaceSight (physical space intelligence), Echo (voice and audio intelligence), Lume (content distribution), Alivia (intelligent agent and workflow execution), Harbor (knowledge management and compliance), and Novus (AI infrastructure and governance) — is built on Whale’s proprietary Business World Model (BWM), an AI model designed for physical environments the way large language models were designed for text. Together, these products deliver a complete intelligence loop from physical sensing to autonomous execution across retail, automotive, F&B, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and fashion and apparel.

AI to Power Enterprise Operations | https://www.whale.sg/

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New release ‘Beechworth’s Telegraph’ by Leo Nette reveals how morse code transformed Australia’s gold rush frontier

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This historical book chronicles the rise of a booming gold town, the arrival of revolutionary communications technology, and the people who connected a nation

BEECHWORTH, Australia, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — When gold was discovered in the Beechworth region in 1852, thousands of fortune seekers flooded into northeastern Victoria from across Australia and around the world. Virtually overnight, Beechworth transformed from a remote settlement into one of the colony’s most prosperous and chaotic boomtowns.

The promise of wealth was irresistible. More than 14,000 ounces of gold were transported to Melbourne every fortnight, fueling economic growth and attracting a diverse population eager to strike it rich. Within a year, Beechworth boasted a thriving commercial district and more than sixty hotels, earning a reputation as Australia’s version of the Wild West. Outlaws, claim jumpers, disputes over water rights, racial tensions, and limited law enforcement created a volatile environment where communication was often slow and unreliable.

Against this backdrop came a technological innovation that would forever change the town’s future: the electric telegraph.

In “Beechworth’s Telegraph” (published by Xlibris AU), author Leo Nette presents an extensively researched and engaging account of the history of telegraphy in Beechworth, spanning from the mid-19th century through to the early 20th century. The book traces the origins of Morse code, the development of telegraphic communication throughout Australia, and the vital role Beechworth played as an important communications hub linking Melbourne, Sydney, and beyond.

Through historical records, timelines, archival research, photographs, and biographical profiles, Nette explores the physical construction of telegraph networks, the challenges faced by operators, and the remarkable individuals whose dedication kept information flowing across vast distances. The book reveals how the telegraph revolutionized communication, shrinking delivery times from months to mere hours and connecting Australia to the wider world in unprecedented ways.

More than a history of technology, “Beechworth’s Telegraph” is a story of innovation, perseverance, and community. It highlights the impact of telegraphy on commerce, government, journalism, and daily life while preserving the legacy of the telegraph operators whose work helped shape modern communications.

The book is now available through is available now through major book retailers, and may be purchased directly from https://www.xlibris.com/en-au/bookstore/bookdetails/860299-beechworths-telegraph.

“Beechworth’s Telegraph”
By Leo Nette
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 380 pages | ISBN 9798369487419
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 380 pages | ISBN 9798369487426
E-Book | 380 pages | ISBN 9798369487402
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author
Leo Nette is a historian, researcher, and former telecommunications professional with a lifelong interest in Morse code and telegraphic communication. Drawing on years of research, practical experience, and involvement with Australia’s Morsecodian community, he has dedicated himself to preserving the stories of the people, technology, and institutions that helped shape the nation’s communications history. Through “Beechworth’s Telegraph,” Nette offers a detailed and insightful tribute to an era that transformed how people connected across vast distances.

EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Marketing Services
Tel: 1 800 844 927,+61 2 8310 8187 (from outside Australia)
Fax: 02-8088-6078
Email: MarketingServices(at)xlibris(dot)com(dot)au

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SOURCE Xlibris Publishing Australia

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GTPL Hathway Q1 FY27: Total Revenue crossed 1K Crore & EBITDA jumps 20% Q-o-Q

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AHMEDABAD, India, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GTPL Hathway Limited, India’s largest Digital TV Service Provider and a leading Broadband Service provider, announced its Financial Results for the Quarter ended June 30, 2026.

Key Financial Highlights:

Key Consolidated Business & Financial Highlights: Q1 FY27

Total  Revenue

Broadband  Revenue

Digital TV Active Subscribers

Broadband Active Subscribers

₹10,199 Mn

₹ 1,425 Mn

9.60 Mn

1060 K

Q1 FY27 Total revenue stood at ₹ 10,199 Mn, a growth of 12% Y-o-Y EBITDA for Q1 FY27 stood at ₹ 1,092 Mn with an EBITDA Margin of 10.7% and an operating EBITDA margin of 22%  Q1 FY27 Profit After Tax stood at ₹ 23 Mn

Particulars (₹ in million)

Q1 FY27

Q4 FY26

Q1 FY26

FY26

Digital TV Revenue

2,913

2,850

3,018

11,862

Broadband Revenue

1,425

1,394

1,359

5,580

Total Revenue

10,199

9,344

9,091

37,466

EBITDA

1,092

910

1,123

4,323

EBITDA Margin (%)

10.7 %

9.7 %

12.4 %

11.5 %

Operating EBITDA* (%)

22 %

17 %

22 %

21 %

Profit After Tax

23

(153)

105

156

Operational Highlights

Digital TV

Active subscribers were 9.60 Mn as of June 30, 2026Paying subscribers stood at 8.90 Mn as of June 30, 2026Subscription revenue from Digital TV stood at ₹ 2,913 Mn for Q1 FY27

Strategic Digital TV Acquisition: GTPL Hathway x ACT Group

Signed business transfer agreement to acquire seven ACT Group Digital TV businesses for ₹36.23 crore, completion expected by 15th September 26Adds ~6 lakh Digital TV subscribers across four key states strengthening GTPL’s footprint in South and East IndiaDeepens GTPL’s regional Digital TV presence and unlocks cross-selling opportunities across its expanded subscriber base.

Broadband

Increase in broadband subscribers by 10K Y-o-Y thus standing at 1060KBroadband revenue grew by 5% YoY to ₹ 1,425 Mn in Q1 FY27Homepass as on June 30, 2026, stood at 5.95 Mn. Of the 5.95 Mn, ~75% available for FTTX conversionBroadband Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) stood at ₹ 470 per month per subscriber, increased by ₹ 5 Y-o-YAverage data consumption per user per month was 436 GB, an increase of 6% Y-o-Y.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Anirudhsinh Jadeja – Managing Director, GTPL Hathway Limited, said,

“Despite the challenging global environment and market uncertainties arising from geopolitical developments, our company delivered a stable performance during the quarter, maintaining its active subscriber base and revenue across both Digital TV and Broadband businesses.

The launch of GTPL Infinity, our HITS platform, marks an important step in strengthening our TV distribution ecosystem. The platform provides a scalable and efficient solution for content distribution across the country. We are witnessing encouraging traction & positive interest in the platform and remain confident about its long-term growth potential.

Our Broadband business continues to be a key growth driver, supported by network expansion, service quality improvements, and increasing demand for high-speed connectivity.

As we move forward, we will continue to leverage our strong distribution network, digital service ecosystem, and bundled offerings to drive growth and create lasting value for all stakeholders in both business segments.”

About GTPL Hathway Limited

GTPL Hathway Limited is India’s largest Multi System Operator (MSO) for Digital TV services and one of the leading private wireline broadband service providers in the country. The Company is the largest Digital TV and wireline broadband service provider in Gujarat and a prominent Digital TV operator in West Bengal. Its Digital  TV services extend to over 1,600+ towns across 27 States & 5 Union Territories. GTPL benefits from a robust and expansive ecosystem comprising more than 51,000+ business partners, 200+ broadcasters, 1,750+ enterprise clients, and active involvement in 30+ government projects. The Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of 975+ TV channels, including 130+ GTPL-owned and operated platform services. It also launched GTPL Infinity, its Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) platform which is backed by a world-class C-Band teleport in Ahmedabad and powered by the Telkom-4 satellite. The platform offers pan-India coverage with rapid deployment and delivers ~800 channels, including ~100 HD channels. As of June 30, 2026, GTPL served 9.60 million Active Digital TV subscribers and 1.06 million Broadband Subscribers and a Broadband Home-pass footprint of about 5.95 million.

Safe Harbor

Any forward-looking statements about expected future events, financial and operating results of the Company are based on certain assumptions which the Company does not guarantee the fulfilment of. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results might differ substantially or materially from those expressed or implied. Important developments that could affect the Company’s operations include a downtrend in the industry, global or domestic or both, significant changes in political and economic environment in India or key markets abroad, tax laws, litigation, labor relations, exchange rate fluctuations, technological changes, investment and business income, cash flow projections, interest, and other costs.  The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.

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PhotonPay Officially Opens São Paulo Office, Accelerating Strategic Expansion into Latin America

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New Brazil operations base marks the company’s first local foothold in Latin America, extending a global financial infrastructure spanning 16 key markets

SÃO PAULO, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PhotonPay, next-generation financial operating system powered by stablecoin, today announced the official opening of its São Paulo office -the company’s first local operations base in Latin America. The launch follows the company’s earlier market entries in Hong Kong, Dubai, and other key global hubs, and marks a significant step in PhotonPay’s deepening commitment to the region.

Brazil: A Strategic Window into the Region’s Payment Revolution

Brazil is Latin America’s largest economy, ranking 10th globally by GDP at $2.19 trillion, with a population of over 212 million people and one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.¹ The country’s Pix instant payment network has become a global benchmark for payment modernization: in 2024 alone, Pix processed approximately 64 billion transactions -a 53% year-over-year increase -with transaction value reaching $4.6 trillion.² By May 2025, Pix had accumulated over 175 million registered users, representing 93% of Brazil’s adult population, with 62% of users citing it as their primary payment method.³

Yet despite this domestic sophistication, Brazilian and Latin American businesses continue to face structural friction when expanding globally. Legacy cross-border infrastructure -characterized by multi-layered correspondent banking, opaque FX pricing, and multi-day settlement cycles -creates a widening gap between the speed of local digital commerce and the reality of international fund movement.

This structural disconnect signals a generational inflection point. Traditional payment systems built on intermediary float models are increasingly misaligned with the pace of modern digital trade. PhotonPay believes the only solution is a new class of payment operating system built around a single core principle: liquidity velocity.

A Dual-Rail Platform Built for Latin America’s Complexity

PhotonPay’s arrival in Brazil is built on a differentiated infrastructure thesis. While most cross-border payment providers operate on a single fiat rail, PhotonPay deploys a Dual-Rail architecture -seamlessly combining local fiat clearing networks such as Pix with on-chain stablecoin liquidity (USDC/USDT) within a single, compliance-first platform.

Through the Photon Wallet, enterprises operating in Brazil and across Latin America can hold, send, receive, and convert both fiat and Tier-1 stablecoins in a single unified environment -eliminating the fragmentation between traditional banking accounts and crypto wallets. The wallet supports 30+ major currencies alongside USDC and USDT, and connects to over 10 local clearing networks globally including ACH, SEPA, Faster Payments, and now Pix.

Fiat-to-Stablecoin Conversion: Execute near-instant swaps between BRL and major stablecoins (USDC/USDT) and 17+ fiat currencies, with transparent market-benchmarked pricing and no hidden spreads -enabling treasury teams to actively manage currency exposure and unlock liquidity across both rails.Stablecoin-Powered Payouts: Route international disbursements via stablecoin rails for supplier settlements, payroll, and B2B transfers -bypassing legacy SWIFT delays and correspondent banking markups for recipients across 230+ countries. Stablecoin payment volumes surpassed $10 trillion annually in 2025, driven not by speculation but by commercial-grade utility including payroll, marketplace settlement, and supply chain payments.⁴AI-Native Risk & Compliance Engine: Institutional-grade AML/CFT monitoring, advanced on-chain analytics, and address screening are embedded into every transaction -across both fiat and stablecoin flows -ensuring compliance with evolving global regulatory standards.

“The digital momentum across Latin America is extraordinary -but behind the headline growth, the complexity of local compliance and cross-border fund movement remains a genuine barrier to expansion. We established our São Paulo office precisely to remove that friction. World-class financial infrastructure cannot be delivered through code alone; it requires a physical commercial presence embedded in the local business fabric. Our goal is straightforward: absorb the hardest layers of payment and compliance complexity so that global businesses can focus on just one thing -growing in Latin America.”

Joey, Vice President of Business, PhotonPay

Building the Financial OS for the Stablecoin Era

PhotonPay operates across 16 core global markets with nearly 20 financial licenses worldwide, serving more than 200,000 businesses. But the company’s defining bet is structural, not geographic: that the global financial system is undergoing a generational shift from float-dependent, intermediary-heavy settlement toward high-velocity, stablecoin-native liquidity -and that the businesses best positioned to win in emerging markets will be those with infrastructure built for that transition, not retrofitted to it.

That is the logic behind the Photon Wallet and PhotonPay’s Dual-Rail architecture: not merely connecting more local payment rails, but building a unified operating layer where fiat and stablecoins move with equal fluency -and where businesses never have to choose between the familiarity of local clearing and the velocity of on-chain settlement.

The São Paulo office is the latest node in that architecture. As PhotonPay deepens its presence across Latin America and other high-growth emerging markets, its mission remains constant: eliminate the structural friction that slows global commerce, and give every business -wherever it operates -access to the liquidity speed the stablecoin era makes possible.

About PhotonPay

PhotonPay is a stablecoin-powered financial operating system built for global infrastructure. Designed for modern enterprises, PhotonPay enables businesses to send, receive, convert, and settle funds across both fiat and stablecoin rails through a single, compliance-first integration, spanning 200+ countries and territories.

For more information, visit [www.photonpay.com].

NOTES & SOURCES

¹ World Bank / Georank.org: Brazil GDP $2.19 trillion (2024), ranked 10th globally; population 212.7 million (Data Commons, 2025).

² Matera Research / Central Bank of Brazil via Matera ‘Pix by the Numbers’ Q4 2024 report; PaymentsJournal (Feb 2025): ~64 billion Pix transactions in 2024, +53% YoY; $4.6 trillion total transaction value.

³ Wikipedia / Central Bank of Brazil (May 2025): Pix has over 175 million registered users; 93% of Brazilian adult population have used Pix; 62% use it as their most frequent payment method.

⁴ Artemis Analytics 2025 Annual On-chain Report; Chainalysis ‘The New Rails: How Digital Assets Are Reshaping Finance’ (2026): stablecoin payment volumes exceeded $10 trillion annually in 2025, driven by cross-border payroll, marketplace settlements, and B2B supply chain payments.

Disclaimer

This material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, tax, accounting, or investment advice, nor an offer or solicitation for any product or service. The availability, features, and regulatory treatment of PhotonPay’s products and services may vary depending on the user’s location, business model, and the laws and regulations that apply. Any descriptions of functionality, performance, efficiency, cost savings, or compliance support (including, without limitation, references to “real‑time”, “24/7”, “high‑efficiency”, or “compliant” solutions) are aspirational or forward‑looking in nature. Actual outcomes may differ due to market conditions, technological constraints, and regulatory developments, and PhotonPay makes no express or implied representation, warranty, or guarantee as to the achievement of any particular result.

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