SteelSeries
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| SteelSeries | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Video games Computer hardware PC gaming Consumer electronics Application software Esports |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Jacob Wolff-Petersen[1] |
| Headquarters | , Denmark |
| Key people | |
| Products | Gaming peripherals and accessories: headsets, mice, keyboards, controllers, mousepads |
| Parent | GN Store Nord |
| Website | steelseries |
SteelSeries (styled as steelseries), formerly Icemat, is a Danish manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, including headsets, keyboards, mice, controllers, and mousepads. SteelSeries was acquired by GN Store Nord in 2021.[2]
History
[edit]SteelSeries was founded as Icemat in 2001 by Jacob Wolff-Petersen.[3] The company's original name was Soft Trading, and it was changed to SteelSeries in 2007.[4] Soft Trading made the Icemat and SteelPad mouse mats, which influenced the company's eventual name change. In 2008, SteelSeries acquired Ideazon, a North America-based developer and manufacturer of gaming peripherals.[5][6]
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.[7] The company saw tremendous growth over the next five years as it expanded its portfolio and channels,[8] developed the SteelSeries Engine platform, and added partnerships across the esports and the gaming ecosystem.[9][10][11]
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.[12]
In 2016, SteelSeries introduced its Arctis line of gaming headsets initially consisting of the Arctis 3, Arctis 5, and Arctis 7.[13][14]
Their popular products include its Rival and Sensei series of mice, Arctis headsets, and Apex keyboards. They also have made 5XL mousepads (QcK line). SteelSeries often creates limited edition collaborations, such as the Valve CS:GO Howl Edition mouse and mousepad,