Razer CEO Tan Min-Liang commits SG$10m to gaming and esports activities in SG

Razer CEO Tan Min-Liang (pictured) has committed SG$10 million in funding over the next 12 months for gaming and esports activities in Singapore. In a Facebook post, he said the move comes after trade and industry minister Chan Chun Sing’s comments on how the government's support of start-ups in the video-gaming and esports industry has brought rise to success stories such as Razer.The funding, according to Tan, aims to give back and do more for gaming in Singapore. It will be used to support esports teams in Singapore, as well as to invest in gaming or esports companies in Singapore or founded by Singaporeans. This will include supporting Team Singapore for the SEA Games, where Razer is the official esports partner, later this year.Besides being a show of gratitude for the support of Singapore government and Singaporeans over the years, Tan said the funding is also in part a "troll" to the writer of a ST Forum letter last week about how esports should not be considered a sport. The post has garnered near to 750 reactions and 100 shares within a day.[embed]https://www.facebook.com/minliangtan/posts/2514517315272702[/embed][Digital Marketing Asia Conference 2019 in Singapore is back! Join us on 8-9 October as we hear from experienced practitioners and thought-leaders on how they are managing complex digital transitions and reimagining new ways for their marketing to become more customer focused, agile and interactive. Book your seats today.]While Razer was founded in the US, it currently has an office in Singapore with about 500 staff and is building a new Southeast Asia headquarters in Singapore to double its headcount to over 1,000 over the next few years. Minister Chan had recently said in parliament that the video games and esports industries have generated about SG$194 billion globally last year, of which almost half came from the Asia-Pacific, according to multiple media reports.'Read more: Razer and Visa to launch Razer-branded Visa prepaid payment A ‘Razer’ sharp mind: Min-Liang Tan talks about taking on the esports arena U Mobile partners Razer for e-payments, plans 5G trials Razer Pay reaches Singapore’s shores, taps into FOMO Pay’s network Razer launches country HQ in Malaysia, looks to groom next gen tech talent Razer axes staff from mobile division Razer Game Store ceases online operations as part of ‘realignment plans’