Overview of Whale
Whale is an AI company co-founded by Jerry Ye, who has a strong background in data science. The company provides AI software tools and related hardware to retailers, serving notable clients such as:
- Starbucks
- Xiaomi Corp.
- Unilever NV’s P&G Home Care
- Watsons International Limited
- Lazada Group Ltd.
- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (Tmall.com)
Jerry Ye’s Background
- Previous Experience: Ye worked at Meta before pursuing neural studies at Caltech.
- Return to China: In 2017, he returned to China with an investor to establish a global AI company.
Recent Developments
Last week, Whale announced a successful $60 million Series C funding round. Key investors included:
- Bosch Ventures GmbH (unit of Bosch Venture Capital GmbH & Co KG)
- IDG Capital Partners LLC (unit of IDG Growth Fund LP II L.P.)
Navigating U.S.-China Tensions
During an interview at CNBC’s Hong Kong offices, Ye addressed concerns regarding potential government restrictions due to U.S.-China tensions over technology policy. He stated:
- "Business is business."
- "Anybody can do anything they want."
- His customer base is global, including major companies like Procter & Gamble and Starbucks.
Ye emphasized that there are currently no restrictions on selling Chinese-made products outside of China, asserting:
- "I don’t think there will be any restriction for us because we’re not selling our product inside of mainland China."
Conclusion
Whale’s growth and Jerry Ye’s insights reflect the dynamic nature of the AI industry in China, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in the global market.
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