What Zenlayer does

Zenlayer, founded in 2014 by Joe Zhu and headquartered in Diamond Bar, California, operates a distributed edge cloud and network services platform spanning 300+ edge nodes across 50+ countries, including offices in Singapore (APAC HQ), Shanghai, Mumbai, Tokyo, and Hanoi. The company's core technology is a private global backbone with 220+ Tbps aggregate capacity and 10,000+ peering relationships, delivering sub-25ms latency to approximately 85% of the global internet population, with particular density in emerging markets where hyperscaler coverage is thinner. The portfolio groups into four layers: AI services (Distributed Inference, AI Gateway, Fabric for AI), compute (Bare Metal, Elastic Compute/ZEC, GPU Cloud), networking (Cloud Connect, Cloud Router, Private Connect, Virtual Edge, Fabric Port, Global Accelerator, CDN, IP Transit, Edge Colocation), and Custom AI Services, all managed through the self-service zenConsole with full REST API control.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring subscription and usage-based billing across edge compute, cloud networking, application acceleration, IP transit, and edge colocation services, with a Custom AI Services stream added for tailored AI infrastructure deployments. The go-to-market combines a product-led self-service motion via zenConsole (with tokens, hourly, monthly, and usage-based billing), an enterprise field-sales motion with dedicated account teams and solution consultants, and a partner program spanning AWS, Oracle, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Equinix, Digital Realty, Intel, AMD, Fortinet, Dell, and regional carriers including Jio, Megaport, and Viettel. Pricing is hybrid and not publicly disclosed, with quote-based enterprise contracts supplementing consumption-based self-service.

The customer base is horizontally segmented, with primary use cases in gaming (PUBG/Tencent, Call of Duty/Activision, Apex Legends/EA, Free Fire/Garena, Network Next), AI/ML, real-time communications (ZEGO serving 500M+ users), advertising technology (AdTiming), content and video (Getty Images, Zoom, Intercontinental Exchange), and enterprise (Syngenta). Certifications include SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR, and CCPA, supporting enterprise procurement. The company has raised approximately $102M across disclosed rounds, with the most recent being a $62M Series C (including a C+ tranche from MDI Ventures in January 2022), and has executed two acquisitions (C3 Networks in 2017 and DAHO Networks in 2019), with a more recent opportunistic capacity takeover at Bridge Data Centres' Malaysian hub in April 2026.

Name

Zenlayer

Legal name

Zenlayer Inc.

Website

https://zenlayer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Zenlayer is a distributed edge cloud provider operating 300+ nodes across 50+ countries, delivering compute, networking, and AI infrastructure to gaming, AI/ML, RTC, and enterprise customers with sub-25ms latency to most of the global internet population.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Edge Cloud Infrastructure

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Cloud Networking Core Services (VPC/VNet, Load Balancing, DNS, NAT) (HDABAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Enablement (BPAEACAK), Private Cloud Platforms (On‑Prem Cloud Stacks) (HDABABAA)

Keywords

• Edge cloud computing
• Distributed AI inference
• Cloud networking services
• Bare metal servers
• Content delivery network

Headquarters

HQ city

Diamond Bar

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Edge Compute Services: Revenue from bare metal servers, virtual machines, and elastic compute offerings deployed at edge locations globally. Charged on usage, monthly, or token-based models through zenConsole.
2. Cloud Networking Services: Revenue from cloud connect, cloud router, private connect, and virtual edge services enabling multi-cloud and hybrid cloud connectivity. Includes one-time setup and recurring connectivity fees.
3. Application Acceleration: Revenue from global accelerator and CDN services for content delivery and application performance optimization. Usage-based or subscription pricing.
4. IP Transit and Edge Colocation: Revenue from IP transit services and edge colocation offerings for customers needing connectivity and physical infrastructure at edge locations.
5. Custom AI Services: Revenue from custom AI infrastructure deployments including distributed inference, AI gateway, and fabric for AI services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zenlayer operates a distributed edge cloud platform that delivers GPU-powered compute (Bare Metal, Elastic Compute, GPU Cloud), AI inference and model-access services (Distributed Inference, AI Gateway, Fabric for AI), and high-performance cloud networking (Cloud Connect, Cloud Router, Private Connect, Virtual Edge, Global Accelerator, CDN, IP Transit, Edge Colocation). Services are consumed via the self-service zenConsole console and full REST API across more than 300 edge nodes in over 50 countries.

Product overview

Zenlayer is a distributed cloud provider for AI offering a unified platform architecture that combines edge compute, high-performance networking, and AI services. The core portfolio includes GPU-powered compute products (Bare Metal, Elastic Compute, GPU Cloud) for AI workloads, AI inference services (Distributed Inference, AI Gateway) for deploying and accessing AI models globally, and cloud networking services (Cloud Connect, Cloud Router, Private Connect, Virtual Edge) for secure multi-cloud connectivity. The platform is managed through zenConsole, a self-service console with full API control, and is differentiated by its hyperconnected global network spanning 300+ edge nodes across 50+ countries. Recent additions include Fabric Port for high-speed connectivity and Custom AI Services for tailored AI infrastructure deployments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Distributed Inference AI inference deployment and scaling service that runs inference workloads at the edge closer to end users, reducing latency for real-time AI applications globally.
• Fabric for AI High-speed network connectivity purpose-built for AI workloads, enabling fast, reliable data transfer between distributed AI workloads and supporting large-scale AI infrastructure deployments.
• AI Gateway Intelligent unified API service providing low-latency access to multiple large language models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Sora, Perplexity, DeepSeek) globally through a single interface with intelligent routing.
• Bare Metal On-demand dedicated servers providing high-performance computing with cloud-like flexibility for latency-sensitive workloads and applications requiring dedicated resources.
• Zenlayer Elastic Compute (ZEC) Scalable virtual servers deployed at the edge with AMD EPYC processors, supporting GPU instances and delivering up to 40% lower latency compared to traditional cloud deployments.
• GPU Cloud GPU compute instances for AI and machine learning workloads, providing access to GPU models for training and inference at the edge.
• Cloud Connect On-demand private connectivity service providing secure onramp to public clouds, enabling direct connections to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, and other major cloud providers.
• Cloud Router Layer 3 mesh network service enabling dynamic routing and interconnection between multiple cloud environments and data centers across Zenlayer's global network.
• Private Connect Dedicated private connectivity service for secure, direct connections between customer infrastructure and Zenlayer's global network without traversing the public internet.
• Virtual Edge Virtual access gateway service providing secure entry points to Zenlayer's private backbone, enabling branch offices and remote locations to connect to the global network.
• Global Accelerator Dynamic content acceleration service that improves application performance and reduces latency by routing traffic through Zenlayer's optimized global network infrastructure.
• CDN Global content delivery network service for fast and secure delivery of both static and dynamic content to end users across Zenlayer's distributed edge locations.
• IP Transit High-performance internet access service providing reliable, low-latency connectivity to the global internet through Zenlayer's network of tier-1 carriers and regional providers.
• Edge Colocation Colocation services at edge locations close to end users, enabling customers to deploy their own hardware in Zenlayer's edge data centers for reduced latency and improved performance.
• Custom AI Services Custom AI infrastructure deployment services enabling enterprises to build and deploy tailored AI solutions on Zenlayer's global distributed cloud platform.
• Zenlayer Fabric Port Physical port connectivity service launched in Singapore providing high-speed connectivity up to 400 Gbps with free metro connectivity, enabling enterprises to access Zenlayer's global network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced multiplayer latency by up to 80% for gaming company Network Next
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability4 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• EquinixflagshipTechnology or Integration · 9 June 2025Zenlayer named Equinix 2025 Global Partner of the Year for second consecutive year, recognizing expanded collaboration on global AI infrastructure deployment through Equinix Fabric integration. Partnership supports large-scale AI deployments across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas with nearly 200 interconnected edge nodes and 100MW+ deployment capacity.
• AMDcoreTechnology or IntegrationAMD EPYC processors deployed across 95% of Zenlayer Elastic Compute (ZEC) service, achieving 40% reduction in co-location cabinet space and 40% reduction in power consumption. Partnership enables cost-efficient edge compute deployment.
• AWSflagshipTechnology or IntegrationAWS ISV/Technology Partner with AWS CloudFront Ready Certification. Won AWS ISV Partner of the Year award. Provides AWS Direct Connect services including US-China cross-region connectivity.
• OraclecoreTechnology or IntegrationOracle FastConnect Partner enabling Oracle Cloud connectivity through Zenlayer's edge network.
• Google CloudcoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Cloud ISV/Technology Partner providing connectivity to Google Cloud through Zenlayer's edge infrastructure.
• Digital RealtycoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital Realty Global Breakout Partner of the Year award recipient. Partnership for global data center interconnectivity.
• IntelcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntel Cloud Service Provider partner with technology collaboration for edge computing infrastructure.
• Microsoft AzurecoreTechnology or IntegrationAzure ExpressRoute partner providing connectivity to Microsoft Azure cloud through Zenlayer's edge network.
• Jio (Reliance)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partnership with Jio for India market connectivity and distribution.
• MegaportcoreTechnology or IntegrationSoftware-defined networking integration for on-demand connectivity across Zenlayer's edge network.
• ViettelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional partnership with Viettel for Vietnam and Southeast Asia market connectivity.
• Network NextcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork Next deployed low-latency infrastructure with Zenlayer in key markets to improve gaming performance for a multiplayer game launch, achieving up to 80% latency reduction.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Cloudflare: Cloudflare operates a global edge cloud network providing compute (Workers), networking, CDN, and security services — directly competing with Zenlayer's distributed edge compute, CDN, and Global Accelerator offerings for low-latency global application delivery.
• Vultr: Vultr offers cloud compute, bare metal, and GPU instances across 30+ global locations, directly competing with Zenlayer's Bare Metal, Elastic Compute, and GPU Cloud products, particularly in the developer/SMB self-service segment.
• Fastly: Fastly provides edge cloud platform with CDN, edge compute (Compute@Edge), and application security, competing head-to-head with Zenlayer's CDN, Global Accelerator, and edge compute products for performance-sensitive enterprise and developer customers.
• DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean provides cloud compute, storage, and networking targeted at developers and SMBs, with a similar self-service go-to-market motion to Zenlayer's zenConsole, competing on simple, low-cost global cloud infrastructure.
• Megaport: Megaport is a Network as a Service provider enabling on-demand connectivity between data centers and cloud providers, closely mirroring Zenlayer's Cloud Connect and Private Connect offerings and listed as a Zenlayer technology partner.

Broad incumbents

• Equinix: Equinix is a global colocation and interconnection leader that is both a Zenlayer partner (Global Partner of the Year 2024-2025) and a broad incumbent overlapping on edge colocation, Fabric connectivity, and multi-cloud networking.
• Akamai: Akamai is an established edge and CDN incumbent with a global network spanning hundreds of PoPs, competing with Zenlayer's CDN, Global Accelerator, and security services, while offering a broader portfolio including web application firewall and edge compute.

Emerging players

• CoreWeave: CoreWeave is a specialized GPU cloud provider built for AI workloads, competing directly with Zenlayer's GPU Cloud and Distributed Inference offerings in the AI infrastructure market, though with a more US-centric footprint.
• Lambda Labs: Lambda provides GPU cloud instances and AI-focused infrastructure for training and inference, competing with Zenlayer's GPU Cloud and Distributed Inference services in the AI/ML customer segment.
• Aviatrix: Aviatrix provides multi-cloud networking and cloud routing services, competing with Zenlayer's Cloud Router and multi-cloud connectivity offerings for enterprises deploying across AWS, Azure, GCP, and Oracle.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zenlayer

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zenlayer