News: Directory Launch — Members‑Only Remote Cloud Labs Listed in One Place

News: Directory Launch — Members‑Only Remote Cloud Labs Listed in One Place

Hook: Today we’re launching a curated directory of members‑only remote cloud labs: vetted venues where engineering teams can prototype edge hardware, run confined cloud experiments, or collaborate on mixed reality trials. This is a practical resource for teams that need on‑demand lab space with predictable connectivity and energy guarantees.

Why a directory matters in 2026

Cloud experimentation increasingly requires physical infrastructure — edge racks, microgrids, and on‑site sensors. Finding suitable venues used to be costly and ad hoc. Our directory centralizes members‑only labs, documents connectivity SLAs, and lists energy options so teams can pick locations that match their experiment constraints.

What’s included

• Venue profiles with bandwidth tests and uptime SLAs.
• Energy and sustainability notes (co‑located renewables, microgrid availability).
• Available hardware — racks, VR/AR rigs, and secure POS testing kits.
• Community ratings and playbooks for access and legal requirements.

How we vetted venues

Vetting borrowed from membership event standards and venue directories — we adopted many of the evaluation criteria from the members‑only venue launch coverage, which informed our compliance checks and terms of service: Directory Launch — Members‑Only Remote Event Venues.

Community and events

Each listing includes a small events calendar so teams can join meetups or bring public‑facing demos. We also link to learning recaps from practitioner events — reviews and lessons from ConnectsFest 2025 are among the best references for community builders: ConnectsFest 2025 Recap, and the analysis of what 2026 is doing differently: ConnectsFest Lessons for 2026.

How to use the directory

1. Filter by connectivity, energy guarantees, and hardware availability.
2. Contact venues through the directory to schedule a pre‑visit connectivity validation.
3. Book a short pilot slot before committing to multi‑day residencies.

Why labs matter for cloud teams

Running hardware prototypes, field‑testing microgrids, or validating mixed reality headsets all require predictable conditions. For engineers experimenting with helmet HUDs and mixed reality, a proper lab is crucial — see the state of helmet HUD adoption and mixed reality readiness here: Helmet HUDs and Mixed Reality: Are Heads‑Up Displays Ready?.

Membership model and access

Members get credits for booking lab time, additional discounts for staged events, and access to community playbooks. We tried to align incentives so venues benefit from recurring experimentation bookings and teams get predictable budgets.

Next steps and how to get listed

Venue operators can apply for listing via our intake form. We require baseline connectivity tests, energy disclosure, and insurance details. We’ll keep the listing review lightweight but thorough.

Launch note: We’re starting with fifteen venues across three continents; expect more listings after the first quarter of 2026 as we validate demand and expand the membership program.