Safety Gets Smarter With viAct $7.3 Million Investment
For too long, construction safety has played catch-up. When something went wrong, the industry responded. But with the AI revolution sweeping across critical sectors, a new standard is emerging—one that’s proactive, predictive, and deeply connected. Leading this charge is viAct, a trailblazing impact AI company from Asia that’s just clinched $7.3 million in Series A funding, spearheaded by Dublin’s Venturewave Capital.
viAct’s mission is crystal clear: change the safety narrative for high-risk industries, from oil and gas to construction, manufacturing, and mining. With fresh investment, the startup is primed to accelerate its expansion into the Middle East and Europe, bringing next-generation, AI-powered safety and efficiency tools to some of the world’s fastest-evolving markets.
Pioneering Real-Time Risk Detection with AI
Unlike old-school site safety, which leaned heavily on manual checks and piecemeal solutions, viAct’s tech harnesses the power of proprietary computer vision models. These models continuously scan worksites, delivering live insights, predictive analytics, and automated interventions to stop hazards in their tracks—before accidents ever have a chance to occur.
Since its founding in 2016, viAct has been breaking new ground in how workplaces approach risk. Rather than just ticking boxes for compliance, its AI platform addresses the bigger picture, helping companies dodge thousands of incidents and supercharge efficiency—sometimes by double-digit percentages.
As Gary Ng, Co-founder and CEO of viAct, puts it: “We envision a future where construction is synonymous with innovation, safety, and sustainability. This funding is not just a financial milestone—it is a catalyst for change. Our goal is to redefine industry standards, positioning viAct at the forefront of this transformation. With our cutting-edge AI solutions, we aim to empower every stakeholder to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency and responsibility.”
Funding to Fuel Global Ambitions
The Series A raise, led by Venturewave Capital and joined by heavyweights like Singtel Innov8, Korea Investment Partners, and the PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund, gives viAct the ammunition it needs to push further and faster on three major fronts:
- AI Innovation: Boosting the sophistication of its hazard prediction, environmental compliance, and workforce safety models for heavy industries.
- Global Reach: Doubling down in the Middle East—think Saudi Arabia and beyond—where governments and businesses are hungry for digital solutions that keep workers safe and projects moving.
- Talent Growth: Drawing in top talent from AI, engineering, and sustainability backgrounds to push the envelope on what’s possible.
Alan Foy, Chairman and Managing Partner of Venturewave Capital, had this to say: “viAct is a prime example of how high-impact, scalable companies are emerging from the global startup ecosystem. At Venturewave Capital, we back visionary founders who are leveraging technology to transform industries, and viAct is doing exactly that in AI-powered sustainability and workplace safety. We look forward to supporting viAct as they expand their impact across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.”
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice
Around the globe, safety regulations are tightening and expectations are rising. Governments and industry leaders aren’t just talking about safety and sustainability—they’re demanding proof of action. That’s where viAct’s AI steps in, connecting the dots between policies on paper and what actually happens on the ground.
viAct’s approach isn’t just about ticking off legal requirements. Instead, the company is building a world where critical workplaces are “meaningfully connected”, with smart sensors and AI linking every worker, machine, and process. It’s a recipe for real accountability, efficiency, and a culture that puts people first.
The Power of Partnerships
The investment round was a who’s who of forward-thinking funds and institutions. Each sees viAct’s potential to reshape not just safety, but the very fabric of industrial operations:
- Singtel Innov8 is the venture capital arm of Asia’s telecom giant Singtel, whose reach extends across 20 countries and 780 million mobile users. Their support unlocks both financial clout and new tech avenues, including 5G networks.
- Korea Investment Partners backs transformative tech companies in Asia. With government mandates on video analytics in construction growing, their interest in viAct signals real momentum in smart safety.
- PolyU Entrepreneurship Investment Fund—tied to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University—celebrates viAct’s status as an innovative alumni-led startup. Their backing highlights the strength of nurturing homegrown, mission-driven tech.
Kum Tho Wan, Managing Director of Singtel Innov8, noted: “Singtel Innov8 is proud to support viAct in its mission to enhance workplace safety for frontline workers. viAct’s AI-powered platform can leverage 5G networks to enable real-time monitoring, instant alerts, and data-driven insights. By integrating AI with 5G connectivity, viAct enhances operational efficiency, ensures timely and proactive hazard detection, and helps create safer, more responsive work environments.”
Synclare Kim, Head of KIPSEA at Korea Investment Partners, added: “At Korea Investment Partners, we are committed to supporting visionary companies that leverage cutting-edge technology to drive meaningful impact. viAct’s AI-driven solutions are transforming workplace safety and operational efficiency across high-risk industries, and with increasing government mandates for video analytics in construction safety, the company is well-positioned for significant growth. We are excited to be part of viAct’s journey and look forward to seeing it scale its innovation globally to create safer, smarter, and more sustainable work environments.”
And Kelvin Wong, Director of Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship at PolyU, emphasised: “We are immensely proud of viAct’s achievements as a pioneering PolyU start-up, founded by our talented alumni. Their AI-driven solutions are revolutionizing workplace safety and sustainability—a mission deeply aligned with our vision of nurturing ventures that address global challenges. This funding milestone underscores the potential of homegrown talent, and we look forward to continuing our support as viAct scales globally.”
From Fragmented Tools to a Unified Safety Ecosystem
Ask any site manager or safety officer, and they’ll tell you: juggling multiple systems and tools is a pain. Paper checklists, disparate sensors, manual incident logs—the list goes on. viAct’s platform cuts through the chaos by delivering a single, unified dashboard where everything from PPE compliance to environmental monitoring is automated, analysed, and actionable.
It’s not just about avoiding accidents, either. The system’s predictive capabilities mean companies can plan ahead, address maintenance issues before they become critical, and optimise resource use—hitting sustainability targets and improving the bottom line at the same time.
Hugo Cheuk, Co-founder and COO of viAct, sums up the company’s forward-looking ethos: “As we expand into new markets, our commitment to leveraging AI for smarter safety practices has never been stronger. This investment allows us to enhance our technology and further our mission of creating a safer, more sustainable work environment.”
Smarter Safety for a Sustainable Tomorrow
The AI safety movement isn’t just about robots on building sites or surveillance for its own sake. It’s about building a smarter, more human future—one where lives are protected, work is more productive, and resources are used wisely.
Oscar Ramos, Managing General Partner of Orbit Startups, said it best: “Orbit Startups backed viAct early on because, as the founding team, we saw the opportunity to modernize one of the world’s most traditional industries. viAct’s AI-powered platform is transforming safety, productivity, and accountability on the ground. We’re proud to continue supporting the founders as they scale their impact and expand into new frontiers—especially across the Middle East, a region ripe for innovation in infrastructure and development.”
The Key Players
viAct: Recognised by Forbes and the World Economic Forum, viAct has implemented its “Scenario-based Vision Intelligence” solutions across hundreds of organisations. Its impact is felt everywhere from construction and mining to oil and gas, helping companies meet—and exceed—the world’s toughest safety and sustainability benchmarks.
Venturewave Capital: Ireland’s first IFC Principles for Impact Investing signatory and a GIIN member, Venturewave focuses on entrepreneurial companies with sky-high potential and a commitment to social good. Their backing is about more than just money—it’s about creating a legacy of responsible growth.
Singtel Innov8: With an evergreen fund of US$350 million and the might of the Singtel Group, Innov8 isn’t just about investment—it’s about building a bridge for startups to scale across Asia, Australia, and Africa.
A Bright Future for Safer, Smarter Worksites
As automation, AI, and data analytics become the backbone of global industry, viAct stands at the forefront of a profound transformation. With its latest funding boost, the company isn’t just scaling up—it’s setting new benchmarks for safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
The future, it seems, isn’t just about keeping up. It’s about leaping ahead—and with viAct leading the way, safer, smarter, and more connected worksites are closer than ever.
