Google Cloud Next ’26 hit Las Vegas with a storm of energy, drawing more than 35,000 attendees eager to explore the latest innovations in enterprise AI, cloud technologies and the edge.
For us at Rakuten Cloud, the show was a landmark opportunity to showcase our integrated Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage and Google Distributed Cloud Connected Server (GDCCS) edge cloud solution. We were thrilled to debut this solution following our groundbreaking OEM partnership with Google. This agreement provides a single-SKU integrated edge cloud product that leverages our software-defined stateful storage with Google’s proven Kubernetes edge cloud software stack.
Customers can now purchase a fully integrated compute and storage stack––pre-validated, supported and delivered entirely by Google Cloud.
Rakuten Cloud didn’t just show up at Next ‘26—we created an experience. The booth layout was engineered for both high-impact storytelling and meaningful connection. One side featured a massive, wall-to-wall LED theater screen, providing a cinematic backdrop for our cloud solutions, while the opposite side housed dedicated demo stations for hands-on, one-on-one technical deep dives. To balance the high-tech energy with a touch of playfulness, we integrated a sleek, branded claw machine along the side wall. It proved to be a major crowd-pleaser, giving attendees a moment of lighthearted competition while they walked away with exclusive Rakuten Cloud merchandise.
Ultimately, we turned a standard trade show space into an engaging, memorable destination for everyone who stopped by.
Our presence at the event was defined by a nonstop exchange of ideas. Anirban (Oni) Chakravartti, our SVP Global Head of Sales (Enterprise), kicked things off with an insightful fireside chat alongside Google Cloud’s Mike Ensor at our booth. Their conversation highlighted how our partnership is accelerating enterprise edge transformations, ensuring greater speed and reliability for our customers.
We then took our message to the Expo Theater, where Oni took the stage to a packed crowd. His presentation on secure, resilient infrastructure drew a massive audience, proving the industry’s growing demand for next-generation workload solutions. Oni showcased how integrating Google Distributed Cloud and Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage bridges the gap between complex data needs and edge-ready performance. This powerhouse combination delivers the mission-critical reliability needed to move beyond theory and deploy tangible edge infrastructure.
Beyond the main stage, our team delivered a deep well of expertise, hosting booth sessions throughout the show. Brooke Frischemeier, our Head of Product Management, Rakuten Cloud, led a compelling series on Software-Defined Storage (SDS) that demystified the path to secure edge transformation.
We also featured the global reach of our ecosystem at our booth. Marcio Talhacolo, CEO of Informo Technologia/4Edge, brought a vital perspective on modernizing enterprise infrastructure in LATAM, while Yaming Wang, Head of 5G and Edge Solutions at Supermicro, shared a visionary outlook on driving true intelligence at the edge.
From theater stages to intimate technical deep dives, our sessions reinforced one clear message: the future of the enterprise is being built at the edge.
A huge thank you to our partners and everyone who visited us—whether you stopped by for an insightful session, engaged in a deep dive with our experts, or tested your luck at the claw machine. The energy we felt at the Rakuten Cloud booth was a powerful reflection of the momentum currently driving edge cloud computing. We are at a turning point in the industry, and the conversations we had this week only confirm that the future of the edge is being built right now.
If you missed any part of the action or simply want to relive the energy of the show, check out our event recap video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv789Xj4Ysg
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