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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SOURCE Whale

Affluence in Asia Pacific is accelerating and evolving, reshaping expectations beyond access to more purpose-driven, experience-led livingThe refreshed Visa Infinite suite introduces a progressive three-tier structure, combining intelligent payments, curated experiences and a unified ecosystem to deliver personalised, differentiated premium experiences

SINGAPORE, 16 July 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today unveiled a refreshed Visa Infinite in Asia Pacific, designed for the modern affluent and how they live, spend and travel today. The refresh introduces a more flexible and personalised offering, anchored in a three-tier card suite. Alongside Visa Infinite, the portfolio includes the two newly launched tiers of Visa Infinite Privilege and Visa Infinite Private, each tailored to distinct affluent segments within a unified premium offering.

Affluence in Asia Pacific continues to grow, with affluent households projected to increase at an 8 per cent compound annual growth rate through 2030[1]. The region is also home to nearly 31 per cent of the world’s ultra-high-net-worth population[2]. At the same time, affluent consumers are redefining what premium means today. Less about status and more about how experiences fit into their lives, they are prioritising moments that feel personal and meaningful. Visa’s research shows affluent consumers are increasingly prioritising cultural immersion over traditional luxury, signalling a move toward more immersive experiences that feel deeply personal.

The enhanced Visa Infinite brings together curated experiences and a global network of partners, underpinned by Visa’s intelligent payment capabilities, to deliver a seamless and connected offering. These intelligent payment capabilities help simplify everyday payments, support higher-value spending, and enable secure card sharing with trusted delegates.

“Visa has long helped shape premium experiences for affluent consumers across Asia Pacific,” said T. R. Ramachandran, Head of Products & Solutions, Asia Pacific, Visa, “As expectations evolve toward more intentional and globally connected experiences, we are building on that momentum. The refreshed Visa Infinite brings together our scale, innovation and partnerships to deliver more relevant and differentiated value for today’s affluent customers.”

A progressive approach to modern affluence

The refreshed Visa Infinite introduces a clear progression of benefits and access across three tiers, underpinned by intelligent payments capabilities including elevated transaction limits, smart authorisation, cross-border issuance and always-on security.

Visa Infinite anchors the suite, delivering elevated everyday value and enhanced travel and lifestyle rewards. Visa Infinite Privilege builds on this with broader access and more curated experiences. At the top tier, Visa Infinite Private is an invitation-only offering, designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with bespoke services and exclusive access to rare and highly personalised experiences.

Curated programs built around passions

The refreshed proposition comes to life through curated experiences built around the passions of today’s affluent, from travel and dining to wellness and entertainment. These are designed to go beyond traditional perks, to provide meaningful and differentiated experiences.

From Infinite Tastes: Beyond the Menu, a chef-led culinary programme unlocking deeper access to the stories, craft, and culture behind Asia Pacific’s dining scene to Visa Destinations, a passion-led, global travel platform offering curated journeys and exclusive access, each program offers more immersive, behind-the-scenes access and opportunities for deeper discovery.

These experiences reflect the growing influence of affluent consumers, whose spending is increasing at nearly three times the rate of other cardholders, particularly across travel, entertainment, and retail[3]. Demand for wellbeing and more personalised services is rising among affluent consumers, with around 90 per cent seeking health-focused experiences and 84 per cent expecting more high-touch curated experiences[4].

To learn more about the refreshed Visa Infinite suite, including its benefits and experiences, visit Visa Infinite and refer to the appendix below.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com. 

Appendix: Visa Infinite Benefits Highlights

Visa Infinite cardholders enjoy elevated benefits designed for global living. The benefits below are selected highlights, availability and eligibility may vary by market. For the complete range of benefits, as well as applicable terms and conditions, please visit here.

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SOURCE Visa Worldwide Pte Ltd

Delivering 5,000 Lumens of Brightness, 96% BT.2020 Color Gamut, and Next-Generation Cinematic Performance for Premium Home Entertainment

TOKYO, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Optoma today announced the launch of the UHR90DV, its new flagship home theater projector, bringing cutting-edge RGB triple-laser technology and premium cinematic performance to home entertainment enthusiasts.

As Optoma’s flagship home cinema projector, the UHR90DV combines an RGB Triple Laser light source with Dolby Vision®, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10+, and Filmmaker Mode™ compatibility, faithfully reproducing the filmmaker’s creative vision while delivering an immersive, cinema-quality viewing experience at home.

Featuring true 4K UHD resolution, 5,000 lumens of brightness, 96% BT.2020 color gamut coverage, and Optoma’s latest PureEngine™ Ultra image processing technology, the UHR90DV sets a new benchmark for premium home theater projection, offering exceptional image quality for movie enthusiasts, gamers, and discerning AV consumers alike.

Cinematic Color Powered by RGB Triple-Laser Technology

At the heart of the UHR90DV is Optoma’s advanced RGB Triple Laser light engine, utilizing dedicated red, green, and blue lasers to produce exceptionally vibrant and accurate colors.

Supporting up to 96% BT.2020 and 98% DCI-P3 color coverage, the projector faithfully reproduces the wide color palette intended by filmmakers, delivering images with remarkable depth, realism, and visual impact.

The laser light source also provides up to 30,000 hours of maintenance-free operation in Eco mode, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliability.

Experience Movies as Intended with Dolby Vision®, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced

The UHR90DV is engineered to support today’s most advanced HDR formats.

Dolby Vision® dynamically optimizes brightness, contrast, and color on a scene-by-scene basis, while HDR10+ enhances every frame with dynamic metadata for greater realism and detail.

With IMAX Enhanced certification, viewers can enjoy immersive picture quality inspired by the IMAX theatrical experience. Meanwhile, Filmmaker Mode™ preserves the director’s original artistic intent by minimizing unnecessary image processing, allowing audiences to experience films exactly as they were created.

PureEngine™ Ultra Delivers Exceptional Image Processing

Powered by Optoma’s proprietary PureEngine™ Ultra technology, the UHR90DV intelligently enhances every frame using advanced image processing algorithms.

Core image enhancement technologies include:

PureContrast™ for deeper blacks and brighter highlightsPureLight™ for enhanced brightness and shadow detailPureDetail™ for sharper 4K image clarityPureColor™ for richer and more natural color reproduction

Together, these technologies produce images with greater depth, precision, and lifelike realism across all types of content.

Brilliant 5,000 Lumens for Large-Screen Entertainment

With 5,000 lumens of brightness and an impressive 4,500,000:1 contrast ratio, the UHR90DV delivers outstanding visual performance even in rooms with ambient lighting.

Whether enjoying blockbuster films, live sports, concerts, or streaming content, users can experience vibrant colors and exceptional image clarity on screens up to 300 inches.

Optimized for Next-Generation Gaming

Beyond home cinema, the UHR90DV is designed for responsive gaming performance.

Key gaming features include:

8.5 ms input lag at 1080p / 240HzHDMI 2.1 connectivityAuto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

These features ensure ultra-smooth gameplay on a truly immersive large-screen display.

Flexible Installation with Motorized Lens Control

Designed for dedicated home theater environments, the UHR90DV offers extensive installation flexibility through its premium motorized lens system.

Features include:

1.6x motorized optical zoomMotorized focus±55% vertical lens shift±25% horizontal lens shiftFive programmable lens memory presets

These capabilities simplify installation while accommodating a wide range of room layouts and screen configurations.

Sustainable Design for Long-Term Performance

As part of the Optoma Green Promise initiative, the UHR90DV incorporates environmentally conscious design principles, including:

Up to 30,000-hour laser light source lifespanChassis constructed with 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plasticsFSC-certified packaging materials

These sustainability initiatives help reduce environmental impact while maintaining premium product performance. 

About Optoma

Optoma is a global leader in projection and visual display solutions, delivering innovative products for home entertainment, professional AV, education, enterprise, and commercial applications.

Driven by continuous innovation and a passion for visual excellence, Optoma develops advanced display technologies that empower users to experience brighter, sharper, and more immersive visuals in every environment.

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SOURCE Optoma Corporation