Razer launches $30m fund as CEO ponders IPO

Photo credit: Razer.

Gaming hardware wizard Razer has made its name building distinctive products, ranging from accessories like mice and keyboards to tablets and wearables.

Now it seems the company has decided to give back to the ecosystem. CEO Min-Liang Tan has confirmed the launch of zVentures, an investment fund worth US$30 million.

The fund – announced last night onstage at TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco – will target companies working on robotics, internet of things (IoT), software and analytics, advanced manufacturing and engineering, gaming software technology, virtual and augmented reality, eSports, and robotics.

Razer explains it will focus on companies that can benefit its larger ecosystem. “In addition to providing capital, we help our companies interface with Razer, by allowing them access to Razer’s network of suppliers and OEMs, customers and investors, as well as meet other stakeholders, industry leaders and influencers,” according to the new, dedicated website for zVentures.

See: I’m Min-Liang, co-founder and CEO of Razer. Ask Me Anything!

Onstage at TC Disrupt, Min-Liang also spoke about Razer considering going public “for some time.”

“The key for us is we want to make sure we’re ready to go public. There’s no reason for us to stay private. But we want to make sure all the corporate governance is addressed,” he said.

Razer was reported to have raised a series C round last February, which valued the company at US$1.5 billion.

We’ve reached out to Razer for more information and will update this story when we hear back.