SteelSeries
Subsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Computer hardware
PC gaming
Consumer electronics
Application software
Esports
FounderJacob Wolff-Petersen[1]
Key people
  • Ehtisham Rabbani (CEO)
  • Tino Soelberg (CTO)
  • Christian Andersen (CFO)
  • Rune Berendtsen (CIO)
ProductsGaming peripherals and accessories: headsets, mice, keyboards, controllers, mousepads
Foundation2001 (age 25)
Location cityFrederiksberg
Location countryDenmark
ParentGN Store Nord
Homepagesteelseries.com

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

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]

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,[13] and the CD Projekt Cyberpunk 2077 headset.[14]

In July 2019, SteelSeries was acquired by Axcel, a Nordic private equity firm.[15]

In April 2020, SteelSeries acquired Nahimic audio software developer A-Volute,[16] and in December 2020, SteelSeries acquired gaming accessory manufacturer KontrolFreek.[17]

In October 2021, GN Store Nord announced plans to acquire SteelSeries from Axcel for 8 billion DKK (about US$1.25 billion).[18] The deal closed on 12 January 2022, officially making it a subsidiary.[19]

Sponsorships

SteelSeries supports a number of esports teams and individuals through sponsorships and community support.[20][21] 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.[20][22] They have also sponsored tournaments, including a preseason Overwatch League tournament named the Steelseries Invitational.[23]

Partnerships

SteelSeries has held partnerships with major companies in the gaming industry, including Blizzard Entertainment,[24] Electronic Arts,[25] Hewlett-Packard (HP),[26] Gunnar Optiks,[27] Valve (Steam),[28] MSI,[29] and Discord.[30]

References

  1. ^ Kathryn Martinez (January 28, 2021). "The History of SteelSeries". steelseries.com. Archived October 4, 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 4, 2025.
  2. ^ "GN Store Nord to acquire SteelSeries – a global pioneer in premium software-enabled gaming gear". GN Store Nord. 6 October 2021.
  3. ^ "How to bootstrap from zero to 50 million $: SteelSeries founder Jacob Wolff-Petersen". Whiteboardmag.com. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  4. ^ "Soft Trading ApS Changes Name To SteelSeries ApS". SteelSeries.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  5. ^ "Gaming Accessories Industry Just Got Better, as SteelSeries Acquires Ideazon Inc. in an Asset Transaction". Businesswire.com. 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  6. ^ Coldewey, Devin (2008-07-29). "Steelseries acquires Ideazon; bigger, better accessories forthcoming". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  7. ^ "SteelSeries Appoints Bruce Hawver New Chief Executive Officer". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  8. ^ "SteelSeries Takes On The U.S Gaming Market". Twice. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  9. ^ "News - PAX 2009 Interview: SteelSeries CEO Bruce Hawver". Co-Optimus. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  10. ^ "The Official Website for TechtalkRadio - Audio Interview with Bruce Hawver of SteelSeries". TechtalkRadio. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  11. ^ "SteelSeries to unveil line of gaming headsets at E3 2013". Engadget. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  12. ^ "ClearVue Partners Completes Investment in SteelSeries". cvcap.com. 2012-09-01. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  13. ^ Stevens, Alex (2018-09-24). "SteelSeries Announces CS:GO Howl Edition Peripherals Priced From $30 and Above". Wccftech. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  14. ^ "SteelSeries unveils range of limited edition Cyberpunk 2077 gaming headsets". Trusted Reviews. 2020-04-20. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  15. ^ Catterton, L. "L Catterton Sells SteelSeries to Axcel". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  16. ^ Bonshor, Gavin. "SteelSeries Acquires A-Volute, Company Behind Nahimic Audio Software". www.anandtech.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  17. ^ "KontrolFreek, Pioneer of Performance Gaming Gear, Acquired by SteelSeries, the Global Leader in Gaming Peripherals". www.businesswire.com. 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
  18. ^ Skydsgaard, Nikolaj (2021-10-06). "GN Store Nord shares rise on acquisition of gaming firm Steelseries". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  19. ^ "Closing of acquisition of SteelSeries - [Jan 12, 2022]"
  20. ^ "SteelSeries Announces Exclusive Sponsorship of Professional Gamer, Manuel Grubby Schenkhuizen". Reuters. 2011-04-02. Archived from the original on 2015-06-09. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  21. ^ "Steelseries And Major League Gaming Announce Partnership And Collaboration". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  22. ^ "SteelSeries Announces Sponsorship of Professional Halo 3 Player, Tom 'Tsquared' Taylor". Reuters. 2011-10-14. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  23. ^ Richardson, Liz (2021-03-01). "What we learned from the Overwatch League SteelSeries Invitational". Dot Esports. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  24. ^ "Steelseries Prepares Players For The Launch Of Blizzard Entertainment'S Starcraft® II: Wings Of Libe". bit-tech.net. 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  25. ^ "SteelSeries and EA Introduce iOS and Android Headset for Real Racing 3". Prweb.com. Archived from the original on 27 March 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  26. ^ "HP unveils a new class of Windows 10 gaming devices". Windows Experience Blog. 2016-08-16. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  27. ^ "SteelSeries GUNNAR Optiks Desmo Review". VGRevolution. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  28. ^ "SteelSeries and Valve® Corporation Introduce the SteelSeries QcK+ DotA 2 Edition". Sys-con.com. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  29. ^ "SteelSeries X MSI | SteelSeries"
  30. ^ "Try Moments to get Discord Nitro 🚀". SteelSeries. Retrieved 2022-01-13.