Zenlayer
Zenlayer provides edge cloud services for businesses needing low-latency global connectivity, operating in over 250 points of presence worldwide. The company has raised $102M in funding, most recently in a Series C round in January 2022.
The growth story
Zenlayer grew from 140 to 284 employees between 2019 and 2026, raising $102M along the way, most recently a Series C in January 2022.
About
Zenlayer sells cloud infrastructure services focused on reducing latency for businesses operating in emerging markets like India, China, and South America. Its platform allows companies to improve digital experiences by providing on-demand connectivity through a network of 250+ global points of presence.
The company has scaled to 284 employees and secured $102M in funding, including a Series C round in early 2022. Its investor base includes firms like Anatole, F&G Venture, and Forebright Capital.
Founders and leadership
Sales is Zenlayer's largest function, accounting for 30 employees. The company's leadership team has a median tenure of 4 years, indicating stable management.
The Zenlayer org chart
Joe Zhu (Founder / CEO) leads 59 mapped leaders with 11 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Information Technology 61 (+13% YoY), Sales 60 (+3% YoY), Engineering 38 (+3% YoY), Business Development 19 (+19% YoY), Program and Project Management 18 (-5% YoY), Operations 15 (+15% YoY).
Talent flow
Zenlayer recruits heavily from cloud and telecom companies, with EdgeNext, China Telecom Americas, and China Telecom Global being top sources. Alumni frequently move to major tech firms like Oracle, ByteDance, and Amazon Web Services.
Most common previous employers of Zenlayer staff: EdgeNext (7), China Telecom Americas (4), China Telecom Global (4), Evocative (4), Tata Communications (4), Virbela (3). Former Zenlayer employees most often moved to Global Switch (5), Oracle (4), ByteDance (4), Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation (4), Amazon Web Services (AWS) (3), OptiCool (2).
Alumni worth knowing
The Zenlayer mafia
Four Zenlayer alumni have founded companies, including Bright Defense, which has grown to 16 employees, and Refresh Labs, a smaller startup with 2 staff.
4Tim Mektrakarn, was VP of Operations until 2023Michael Marques, was Sales Manager until 2022Kate Yang, was Director Of Business Development until 2020Hiring now
Web traffic
Traffic mix: 68% direct, 18% search, 2% social, 0% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at Zenlayer: Project Management (45), Management (43), Telecommunications (38), Data Centers (36), Business Development (35), Networking (35), Microsoft Excel (34), Microsoft Office (31).
Where the team actually sits
Zenlayer people are concentrated in California, United States (24), Shanghai, China (17), Los Angeles Metropolitan Area (15), Beijing, China (10).
What employees say
- Compensation
- 3.70 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 3.80 / 5
- Senior management
- 3.70 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 3.50 / 5
Frequently asked
Zenlayer has 284 employees as of September 2026.
Zenlayer has raised $102M in total, most recently a Series C round in January 2022.
Zenlayer was founded in 2014 by Joe Zhu.
Joe Zhu (Founder / CEO) sits at the top of Zenlayer's reporting structure, with 11 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current Zenlayer staff are EdgeNext (7 people), China Telecom Americas (4 people), China Telecom Global (4 people).
Former Zenlayer employees most often move to Global Switch (5), Oracle (4), ByteDance (4).
At least 4 companies have a founder who previously worked at Zenlayer, including Bright Defense, Refresh Labs, SPANSCALE.
The most common skills among Zenlayer staff are Project Management, Management, Telecommunications, Data Centers, Business Development.
Zenlayer staff are concentrated in California, United States (24), Shanghai, China (17), Los Angeles Metropolitan Area (15).
Zenlayer has about 61 people in Information Technology, up 13% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Zenlayer has about 60 people in Sales, up 3% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 126 current and 168 former Zenlayer profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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