Rakuten SixthSense Plans Global Expansion, Targets New Markets in Asia and the Middle East.

Rakuten SixthSense, the B2B technology arm of Japan’s Rakuten Group, is set to expand into new markets next year, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East. The company, which launched in 2021, currently operates primarily in India and North America and plans to target rapidly digitalizing regions like the Middle East and Europe for its next phase of growth.

“Rakuten is a global technology conglomerate with over 75 businesses spanning e-commerce, payments, media, streaming, and more,” said Sunil Gopinath, CEO of Rakuten India. “As we scale our consumer business, we’ve strategically shifted to add B2B services, diversifying into various B2B technology solutions.”

Rakuten SixthSense currently employs 1,800 people in India, which serves as the company’s second-largest technology hub, after Tokyo. Gopinath noted that India has become a crucial R&D center for Rakuten, surpassing even regions like the U.S., Singapore, and Europe in importance.

The company’s client base includes national government agencies, major airlines, financial institutions, global retail chains, and other tech giants.

In the coming years, Rakuten SixthSense expects to see a shift in its revenue structure, with 50-60% of its earnings coming from services, and 30-40% from product-based sales. Currently, about 10% of its revenue is generated by products like Rakuten SixthSense.

Additionally, Rakuten SixthSense has launched two new solutions—Data Observability and API Security Observability—to further expand its service offerings. The company plans to target sectors such as finance, healthcare, retail, and government, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This expansion is part of the company’s broader strategy to deepen its market reach and strengthen its global presence.

HBL