Razer Unveils $30 Million zVentures Fund to Back IoT, Robotics, VR, and Gaming Startups
Razer, known for its high-performance gaming peripherals, is expanding its reach beyond hardware and software. The company has launched zVentures, a $30 million fund aimed at supporting startups in promising fields like IoT, robotics, VR, and gaming.
This move is a strategic one for Razer, aligning with its existing efforts in these areas and providing an opportunity to identify potential future partners. zVentures will invest in early-stage companies, typically ranging from 100,000to1 million per investment. The fund will operate from San Francisco and Singapore, with investments already underway in VR, e-commerce, and gaming.
Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan sees zVentures as a way to foster a supportive ecosystem for startups while also benefiting the Razer community. The company plans to share its expertise and global distribution network with portfolio companies, potentially creating mutually beneficial partnerships.
zVentures consolidates two existing smaller funds, the OSVR Development Fund (focused on open-source VR content) and a $5 million fund used for Android gaming. The new fund is backed by Razer itself, alongside existing investors.
Razer’s investment strategy mirrors that of other companies with strategic funds, such as Slack Fund and Intel Capital. This move signals Razer’s commitment to fostering innovation within its sphere of interest and contributing to the development of emerging technologies.
