APAC Issue 7 2018

30 APAC / Issue 7 2018 , Vonage has announced that Nexmo, the Vonage API Platform, is joining the newly- unveiled API marketplace service, Rakuten RapidAPI, as a communications launch partner. Following a media event in Tokyo, Rakuten announced its strategic partnership with San Francisco-based API marketplace startup, RapidAPI. Through this partnership, Rakuten launched an API marketplace service, Rakuten RapidAPI, for developers and API providers based in Japan and across Asia. Rakuten RapidAPI is an API marketplace platform that connects API providers, like Nexmo, with developers in Japan and across Asia. Developers will be able to find, test and connect their applications to thousands of APIs, including those provided by Nexmo. The marketplace will also enhance Nexmo’s ability to connect with the global developer community through personalized API portals, with localized API documentation and support in Japanese and English. Nexmo APIs will be available on the platform in both Japanese and English. Shakeup for Asian API Marketplace Industry Nexmo, theVonage API Platform, joins RakutenRapidAPI as Communications LaunchPartner for its Japan andAsia APIMarketplace. “Programmable communications via APIs are critical to creating solutions that improve offerings, enhance the customer experience, and drive better business outcomes,” said Hiro Kusumoto, Country Director for Japan for Nexmo, the Vonage API Platform. “Nexmo is thrilled to be the first communications partner for Rakuten RapidAPI as it releases its API marketplace. Rakuten RapidAPI will make available critical APIs as more digital natives enter the market and more traditional enterprises enhance their digital transformations with APIs by developing communications solutions.” Jed Ng, Head of Rakuten RapidAPI, commented, “Rakuten RapidAPI is driving microservices and webAPI adoption in APAC. We cannot succeed in this mission without our API provider partners. Having category leaders, like Nexmo, the Vonage API Platform, which represent the gold standard in communications, is a tremendous validation. Our working relationship and joint regional footprint will help us to scale the business together. We can’t wait to see what use cases and innovations our developers create using our APIs.” The Asia Pacific region is home to 8 million professional software developers, according to a survey conducted by popular developer website, Stack Overflow1. From these developers, 360,000 are found in Japan, 3.5 million in India and 250,000 in South Korea. These countries will be among Rakuten RapidAPI’s initial regions for expansion. In launching the Rakuten RapidAPI marketplace service, Rakuten RapidAPI and Rakuten Communications, along with partners like Nexmo, the Vonage API Platform, aim to promote the expansion of the API economy across the Asia Pacific Region and accelerate its leadership position as the world’s largest API Marketplace.