SteelSeries

SteelSeries (styled as steelseries) is a Danish manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, including headsets, keyboards, mice, and gaming surfaces.

SteelSeries
ApS (Anpartsselskab): private limited company
IndustryVideo games
Computer hardware
PC gaming
Consumer electronics
Application software
Professional Gaming
ESports
Founded2001 (2001)
FounderJacob Wolff-Petersen[1]
Headquarters
Copenhagen
,
Denmark
Key people
Ehtisham Rabbani (CEO)
Tino Soelberg (CTO)
Oluf Riddersholm (CFO)
Rune Berendtsen (CIO) Melissa Tomlinson (VP)
Pat Wachendorf
Jeff Mahlmeister
Zach B. Hill
ProductsGaming peripherals and accessories: headsets, mice, keyboards, controllers, and gaming surfaces
Websitesteelseries.com

History

SteelSeries was founded in 2001 by Jacob Wolff-Petersen.[2] The company's original name was Soft Trading, and it was changed to SteelSeries in 2007.[3] Soft Trading made the Icemat and SteelPad mouse mats, the latter of which influenced the company's eventual name change. In 2008, SteelSeries acquired Ideazon, a North America-based developer and manufacturer of gaming peripherals.[4][5]

Michael von Essen-Mueller, the company's first CEO, helped the company establish its brand and grow to a global footprint. In 2007, SteelSeries hired Bruce Hawver as CEO.[6] The company saw tremendous growth over the next five years as it expanded its portfolio and channels,[7] developed the SteelSeries Engine platform, and added partnerships across the e-sports and the gaming ecosystem [8][9][10]

In 2012, SteelSeries received investments of undisclosed amounts from U.S.-based private equity firm Catterton Partners and China-based private equity firm ClearVue Partners.[11]

In April 2020, SteelSeries acquired Nahimic audio software developer, A-Volute.[12]

Team and player sponsorships

SteelSeries supports a number of electronic sports teams and individuals through sponsorships and community support.[13][14] Sponsored teams include FaZe Clan, Evil Geniuses, Vitality, EDward Gaming, Alliance, among others. Past sponsorships include Manuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen and Tom "Tsquared" Taylor in 2011.[13][15]

Partnerships

SteelSeries has held partnerships with major companies in the gaming industry, including Blizzard Entertainment,[16] Electronic Arts,[17] Hewlett-Packard,[18] Gunnar Optiks,[19] Valve,[20] and MSI.[21]

References
  1. "Private Equity Firm Axcel Acquires Majority Stake in SteelSeries". The Esports Observer｜home of essential esports business news and insights. 2019-07-04. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  2. "How to bootstrap from zero to 50 million $: SteelSeries founder Jacob Wolff-Petersen" (Interview). Whiteboardmag.com. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  3. "Soft Trading ApS Changes Name To SteelSeries ApS" (Press release). SteelSeries.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  4. "Gaming Accessories Industry Just Got Better, as SteelSeries Acquires Ideazon Inc. in an Asset Transaction" (Press release). Businesswire.com. 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  5. Coldewey, Devin (2008-07-29). "Steelseries acquires Ideazon; bigger, better accessories forthcoming". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  6. "SteelSeries Appoints Bruce Hawver New Chief Executive Officer". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  7. "SteelSeries Takes On The U.S Gaming Market". Twice. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  8. "News - PAX 2009 Interview: SteelSeries CEO Bruce Hawver". Co-Optimus. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  9. "The Official Website for TechtalkRadio - Audio Interview with Bruce Hawver of SteelSeries". TechtalkRadio. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  10. "SteelSeries to unveil line of gaming headsets at E3 2013". Engadget. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  11. "ClearVue Partners Completes Investment in SteelSeries" (Press release). cvcap.com. 2012-09-01. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  12. Bonshor, Gavin. "SteelSeries Acquires A-Volute, Company Behind Nahimic Audio Software". www.anandtech.com. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  13. "SteelSeries Announces Exclusive Sponsorship of Professional Gamer, Manuel Grubby Schenkhuizen" (Press release). Reuters. 2011-04-02. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  14. "Steelseries And Major League Gaming Announce Partnership And Collaboration" (Press release). Gamasutra. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  15. "SteelSeries Announces Sponsorship of Professional Halo 3 Player, Tom `Tsquared` Taylor" (Press release). Reuters. 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  16. "Steelseries Prepares Players For The Launch Of Blizzard Entertainment'S Starcraft® Ii: Wings Of Libe" (Press release). bit-tech.net. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  17. "SteelSeries and EA Introduce iOS and Android Headset for Real Racing 3" (Press release). Prweb.com. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  18. "HP unveils a new class of Windows 10 gaming devices". Windows Experience Blog. 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  19. "SteelSeries GUNNAR Optiks Desmo Review". VGRevolution. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  20. "SteelSeries and Valve® Corporation Introduce the SteelSeries QcK+ DotA 2 Edition" (Press release). Sys-con.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  21. https://steelseries.com/engine/msi
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