As a fast-growing startup headquartered in Singapore, CloudMile recently raised US$20 million in accumulated funding to develop the AI and cloud market in SEA. According to Liu, this means that team members are provided with the most top-of-the-line technology resources to develop their skills on disruptive innovation.
What’s more, as winner of the 2020 Google Cloud Public Sector Partner of the Year - APAC award, CloudMile boasts a highly symbiotic working relationship with Google Cloud. Unlike other startups focusing specifically on AI applications, CloudMile’s business model is to first modernize a company’s infrastructure via Google Cloud solutions, then build on that data foundation to establish a complete AI model for commercial applications. Liu noted that this gives new recruits the opportunity to deeply familiarize themselves with the most up-to-date GCP solutions.
Liu attributes their choice of partner to Google’s “AI First” model. However, the company’s aim is not to rely on Google Cloud to develop its business, but rather establish a mutual dependence as Google moves to deploy its digital transformation services throughout the region.
“To truly thrive in the cloud industry, a startup like CloudMile can’t only stand on the shoulders of giants,” says Liu. “You have to show your value to the big players and let them come to lean on you. That’s the kind of position CloudMile aims to occupy in the industry.”
Liu added that to achieve this goal, CloudMile plans to work with local universities and polytechnics in Singapore and Malaysia to evaluate how best to nurture talents in AI, machine-learning, and data analytics.