Razer
"Gaming laptops & peripherals."
The story
Razer started its journey in 1998 as a subsidiary of Kärna LLC, focusing on developing high-end computer gaming mice, most notably the Boomslang. However, this early iteration faced a setback when Kärna LLC declared bankruptcy in 2001, temporarily halting Razer's operations.
The current and internationally recognized Razer was then refounded in 2005 by Min-Liang Tan and Robert Krakoff. They secured the rights to the Razer brand following substantial investments from Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing and Singaporean holding company Temasek Holdings. This fresh start allowed the company to rebuild and solidify its position in the gaming hardware market.
From there, Razer expanded its product line beyond just mice to encompass a wide array of gaming-focused computer hardware and consumer electronics, setting the stage for its global presence. Their commitment to high-performance peripherals resonated with the growing esports community, enabling them to carve out a significant niche.
Challenges along the way
Razer faced significant early challenges with its initial founding in 1998, as the parent company Kärna LLC went bankrupt in 2001, leading to a temporary cessation of operations for Razer. In its later years, the company encountered obstacles with product discontinuations, such as the Forge TV microconsole in 2016 and the subsequent closure of the Ouya online accounts and services in 2019 after acquiring its software assets. More recently, Razer faced scrutiny and a proposed settlement with the FTC in 2024 concerning misleading claims about the N95 rating of its Zephyr masks, and experienced a sales halt of laptops in the US in 2025 potentially due to tariffs, highlighting persistent market and regulatory hurdles.
Major milestones
- 1998Founded as a subsidiary of Kärna LLC, focusing on high-end gaming mice like the Boomslang.
- 2001Kärna LLC, Razer's parent company, declares bankruptcy, leading to an early cessation of operations.
- 2005Razer is refounded by Min-Liang Tan and Robert Krakoff with significant new investments.
- 2005United States PatentFig. 16Gaming peripheral and RGB filingsAssignee searchRead filing ↗
- 2015Acquired the software assets of the Android-based microconsole Ouya, aiming for expansion into new gaming platforms.
- 2016Acquired THX from Creative Technology, aiming to enhance audio and visual quality in its products.
- 2017Launched its first smartphone, the Razer Phone, entering the competitive mobile device market and went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
- 2021Opened its new, larger Southeast Asia headquarters in Singapore to accommodate business growth.
- 2022Delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, returning to private ownership.
Prototypes & people
Currently stocked
