LOGISTICS company WiseTech Global has acquired California-based artificial intelligence developer FRDM.ai, adding its supply chain risk and compliance intelligence technology to WiseTech’s inventory.
FRDM maps supplier networks and manages human rights risks and regulatory compliance across many tiers of the supply chain.
The deal is designed to accelerate WiseTech’s development of VerifyWise, its emerging platform for multi‑tier supplier verification. The acquisition will combine FRDM.ai’s risk‑mapping capabilities with WiseTech’s existing compliance and trade‑data systems.
WiseTech said the transaction, valued at US$10 million upfront with a further US$14.31 million available through earn‑outs, is expected to complete on 3 August subject to standard conditions.
FRDM.ai, founded in 2018, specialises in mapping supplier networks beyond Tier 1, scoring risk in real time and identifying issues such as modern slavery, geopolitical exposure, sanctions, cyber vulnerabilities and other compliance obligations.
The company’s technology draws on more than six billion trade records to generate risk profiles and support due‑diligence frameworks aligned with major international regulations including UFLPA, CSDDD, LkSG, CBAM and the EU Deforestation Regulation.
WiseTech plans to integrate FRDM.ai’s capabilities into several existing products — including BorderWise, Denied Party Screening and Global Knowledge — to form VerifyWise, a consolidated platform for identity verification, supplier validation and continuous monitoring across global supply chains.
The company said the combined datasets would allow organisations to verify suppliers across multiple tiers, receive real‑time alerts when compliance statuses change, and demonstrate responsible sourcing to regulators and customers.
Chief executive Zubin Appoo said WiseTech’s innovation team had worked closely with FRDM.ai founder Justin Dillon for nine months to bring the technology into the group.
“Our shared vision is to help organisations proactively identify and mitigate supply chain regulatory issues more easily,” he said.
Mr Dillon said joining WiseTech would allow FRDM.ai to scale its offering globally and “leverage trade to change the world”.
WiseTech expects the acquisition to create value through expanded compliance capabilities, cross‑sell opportunities across its network of more than 22,000 logistics providers, and the strengthening of VerifyWise’s underlying data.
The company said the platform would serve importers, exporters, freight forwarders, shippers, banks, legal and accounting firms, and other organisations with supply‑chain compliance obligations.