Singaporean, co-founder, and CEO of Razer, Min-Liang Tan, in August shared his wisdom with the graduating students of Singapore Management University (SMU).
Just a couple of weeks ago, his company organised Southeast Asia’s first professional esports bootcamp in Singapore, where renowned team, Evil Geniuses, played mentors to the national teams representing their countries at the SEA Games 2019.
Heartened by the Singapore government’s support for gaming and esports, Tan announced today (9 September) that he will be committing S$10 million in funding to develop the industry in Singapore over the next 12 months.
The largest-ever financial commitment for the gaming and esports industry in Singapore by Razer, the leading lifestyle brand for gamers.
The funds will be used to support esports teams as well as gaming/esports companies in Singapore or founded by Singaporeans.
In his Facebook post, Tan wrote:
This funding will also go in part to Team Singapore which we are supporting for the SEA Games (which we are also the official esports partner) later this year where esports will be, for the first time ever, a medalled sport.
Min-Liang Tan, CEO of Razer
“We are one of the largest esports brands in the world, and personally as a Singaporean, I’m looking forward to giving back and doing more for my country. Do reach out if you’re a Singaporean in the gaming industry and keen to find a way to work together!”
“PS: This is also partly due to the letter sent to the ST Forum last week about how esports shouldn’t be considered a sport – I thought I would put $10M into developing esports in Singapore just to troll the letter writer 😃.”
This comes after a successful Razer store opening in Las Vegas, where over 2,000 fans turned up to show support at the firm’s largest retail store measuring over 2,400 sq ft.
The store will also be hosting esports events in conjunction with industry partners.
At the IFA 2019, which took place in Berlin, the company also unveiled the Razer Blade Stealth 13, dubbed as the “world’s first gaming ultrabook”.
Its Razer Viper gaming mouse, designed in collaboration with esports athletes, was also lauded by esports pros and media worldwide recently.
Today, Razer works with 18 professional esports teams with athletes from over 25 countries.
Collectively known as Team Razer, the athletes include Singapore fighting game champion Xian, Team Alliance and Mousesports.
Razer will also move into its new SE Asia headquarters at one-north, Singapore, in 2020, where it will drive new initiatives in esports and gaming.
Featured Image Credit: Razer
