Network Next
Network Next provides network acceleration infrastructure for multiplayer games, reducing in-region player latency by up to 80% for game studios. The B2B SaaS company serves game publishers through direct partnerships and leverages eight global cloud and edge infrastructure providers for deployment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSanta Monica, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Network Next does
Network Next is a cloud-based network acceleration infrastructure provider that specializes in reducing latency for multiplayer online games. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the company focuses on solving high-ping connectivity issues for players within their own geographic regions rather than just cross-region routing. The technology integrates directly into game server infrastructure and, per company claims, reduces multiplayer latency by up to 80% in deployed scenarios.
The company operates a B2B infrastructure-as-a-service model, partnering directly with game studios and publishers to embed its acceleration technology into multiplayer game server architecture. Network Next distributes through direct enterprise sales to game developers and leverages an ecosystem of eight acceleration/infrastructure partners — Akamai, AWS, i3D, Latitude, Google Cloud, GCORE, Zenlayer, and Datapacket — for global deployment. Revenue is generated through subscription-based, quote-priced annual contracts with game studios, with pricing not publicly disclosed.
Network Next's deployment began with the Sao Paulo server region for the REMATCH game and has expanded to the EU, US, Central America, Turkey, and the Middle East. The company has raised approximately $4.46 million across four funding rounds between 2017 and 2019, with BITKRAFT Ventures leading the most recent $3.2 million round and Bain Capital Ventures also participating. The founding team includes David Benjamin and Glenn Fiedler (founder and CEO), with Duke Martin serving as COO. No AI/ML capabilities, patents, certifications, regulatory actions, or M&A activity are disclosed in the available data.
Network Next firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Network Next
- Legal name
- Network Next
- Website
- https://networknext.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Network Next provides network acceleration infrastructure for multiplayer games, reducing in-region player latency by up to 80% for game studios. The B2B SaaS company serves game publishers through direct partnerships and leverages eight global cloud and edge infrastructure providers for deployment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Network Next industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Gaming Network Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Network & Connectivity Optimization for Cloud Gaming (QoS, traffic shaping, game-focused ISPs/VPNs) (MPAFAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Networking, Multiplayer & Backend Middleware (MPAFAFAE)
Keywords
Where Network Next is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Monica
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Network Next business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Network Acceleration Services: Network Next provides network acceleration infrastructure for multiplayer games. The company deploys its technology in partnership with game publishers and infrastructure providers, generating revenue through service deployment fees and ongoing infrastructure partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise/B2B pricing - custom quotes |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
Network Next product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Network Next provides a network acceleration technology for multiplayer games that reduces player latency for users with high ping within their own geographic region. The solution is deployed in partnership with major cloud and edge infrastructure providers (Akamai, AWS, i3D, Latitude, Google Cloud, GCORE, Zenlayer, Datapacket) and is embedded directly into game server infrastructure, currently live worldwide with the multiplayer game REMATCH. The technology is delivered as an infrastructure-as-a-service solution on a recurring subscription basis to game studios and publishers.
Product overview
Network Next is a single, unified network acceleration product for multiplayer games. It is deployed as dedicated infrastructure technology that aims to reduce latency for players experiencing high ping within their own region. The product achieved up to 80% latency reduction in deployments for multiplayer game launches and is now live worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Network Next A network acceleration technology for multiplayer games that reduces player latency within their own region, improving connectivity for players experiencing high ping. The product is deployed as dedicated infrastructure embedded into game server environments and is delivered to game studios and publishers on a recurring subscription basis. It is currently live worldwide with REMATCH and operates in partnership with eight global cloud and edge infrastructure providers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduced multiplayer latency by up to 80% for a multiplayer game launch
Companies that use Network Next
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Network Next technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Network Next partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- ZenlayercoreZenlayer provided low-latency infrastructure deployment for Network Next in key markets to improve gaming performance for a multiplayer game launch. The partnership enabled up to 80% latency reduction for players.
- REMATCHcoreREMATCH is a game studio that deployed Network Next's technology for their multiplayer game. Network Next is live worldwide with REMATCH, enabling the technology to be deployed across multiple server regions including Sao Paulo, EU, US, Central America, Turkey, and Middle East.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Network Next competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Edgegap: Edgegap provides edge orchestration and low-latency compute for multiplayer games, directly competing with Network Next's network acceleration positioning. Both target the same problem of reducing player ping in regional multiplayer deployments.
- Hathora: Hathora offers multiplayer game server orchestration with a focus on low-latency regional placement. It overlaps directly with Network Next's value proposition of dynamically routing players to optimal infrastructure to reduce ping.
- Exit Games (Photon): Photon is a leading multiplayer networking SDK/middleware used by thousands of game studios. It competes with Network Next in providing low-latency multiplayer networking primitives, though Photon operates at a different layer (engine SDK vs. infrastructure routing).
- AccelByte: AccelByte provides a multiplayer backend platform for live games including matchmaking, networking, and infrastructure services. It is a comparable backend-as-a-service for game studios that could substitute for parts of Network Next's offering.
- Beamable: Beamable offers backend services for live multiplayer and live ops games. While more focused on game logic/backends, it overlaps with Network Next in providing B2B infrastructure services that game studios embed at launch.
- Heroic Labs (Nakama): Heroic Labs' Nakama is an open-source multiplayer game server framework providing networking and backend services. It competes with Network Next for studios building real-time multiplayer infrastructure.
Broad incumbents
- AWS GameLift: AWS GameLift is a managed game server hosting service from Amazon Web Services. As a Network Next infrastructure partner and broader cloud incumbent, it competes in the same low-latency multiplayer hosting category with significant scale advantages.
- Google Cloud Game Servers: Google Cloud's game server offering (Agones-based) provides managed multiplayer game hosting across Google's global infrastructure. As a Network Next partner and hyperscaler incumbent, it represents broad competitive overlap at the infrastructure layer.
- PlayFab (Microsoft): PlayFab is Microsoft's live game backend platform providing multiplayer, matchmaking, and infrastructure services. It overlaps with Network Next as a broader backend platform that studios may select instead of a specialized networking solution.
- Multiplay (Unity): Multiplay is Unity's game server hosting and matchmaking service. It competes in the multiplayer hosting space with substantial scale and integration advantages through the Unity engine ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Network Next financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Network Next leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Network Next funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors7 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Network Next M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Network Next
What does Network Next do?
Network Next provides a network acceleration technology for multiplayer games that reduces player latency for users with high ping within their own geographic region. The solution is deployed in partnership with major cloud and edge infrastructure providers (Akamai, AWS, i3D, Latitude, Google Cloud, GCORE, Zenlayer, Datapacket) and is embedded directly into game server infrastructure, currently live worldwide with the multiplayer game REMATCH. The technology is delivered as an infrastructure-as-a-service solution on a recurring subscription basis to game studios and publishers.
Is Network Next a public or private company?
Network Next is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Network Next founded?
Network Next was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Network Next based?
Network Next is headquartered in Santa Monica, United States, in the North America region.
How does Network Next make money?
One revenue line is on record: network Acceleration Services.
Who are Network Next's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Edgegap, Hathora, Exit Games (Photon), AccelByte, Beamable and Heroic Labs (Nakama). Broad incumbents are AWS GameLift, Google Cloud Game Servers, PlayFab (Microsoft) and Multiplay (Unity).
Does Network Next have an API?
No public API is recorded for Network Next.
What industry is Network Next in?
Network Next's product category is Gaming Network Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAHAF, Network & Connectivity Optimization for Cloud Gaming (QoS, traffic shaping, game-focused ISPs/VPNs), with a secondary code of MPAFAFAE, Networking, Multiplayer & Backend Middleware. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.