Astro Gaming
American manufacturer of gaming headsets and peripherals.
ASTRO Gaming is an American company that makes video game headsets, peripherals, and accessories. The business was founded in 2006 by Brett Lovelady and Jordan Reiss, and it is still headquartered in San Francisco, California. Its roots go back to Astro Studios, which worked with Microsoft on the look of the Xbox 360 console and controller.
Lovelady and Reiss started ASTRO Gaming as a separate company after that project. In August 2006, the company raised $2 million in its first funding round from Seraphim Investment. It began with a team of five designers and developed its own gaming product lines. Its headsets launched in early 2008, followed by the Transport Series of gaming gear bags. By 2010, ASTRO Gaming had 23 employees and had raised over $5 million in additional funding. In early 2011, the publicly traded headphone company Skullcandy bought ASTRO Gaming for $10.8 million, taking over all its assets. In 2016, Mill Road Capital bought all outstanding stock of Skullcandy and its subsidiary. Then, in 2017, Logitech acquired ASTRO Gaming from Mill Road for $85 million.
Over the years, the company has sponsored many esports events and worked with professional teams, organizations, and leagues.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2006
- Founders
- Jordan Reiss, Brett Lovelady
- Hq Location
- San Francisco, California, U.S. (corporate headquarters)
- Area Served
- Worldwide
- Products
- Gaming peripherals
- Parent
- Skullcandy / (2011–2016) / Mill Road Capital (2016–2017) / Logitech / (2017–present)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
ASTRO Gaming was founded in 2006 by Brett Lovelady and Jordan Reiss, following the work of their earlier firm, Astro Studios, which partnered with Microsoft on the industrial design for the Xbox 360 gaming console and controller. The company raised its first $2 million in funding in August 2006 from Seraphim investment, starting with a team of five designers. ASTRO Gaming launched its headsets in early 2008 and later introduced the Transport Series of gaming gear bags. By 2010, the company had grown to 23 employees and raised over $5 million in additional funding.
In early 2011, publicly traded Utah-based headphone manufacturer Skullcandy purchased ASTRO Gaming for $10.8 million, acquiring all assets. ASTRO Gaming operated under Skullcandy for six years. In 2016, Mill Road Capital purchased all outstanding stock of Skullcandy and its subsidiary, ASTRO Gaming. The following year, Logitech acquired ASTRO Gaming from Mill Road for $85 million.
Throughout its history, ASTRO Gaming has sponsored many esports gaming events and worked with professional teams, organizations, and leagues.
Reader's Guide
ASTRO Gaming's significance lies in its evolution from a small design-focused startup into a major brand in gaming peripherals, particularly headsets. Its founding by designers who contributed to the Xbox 360's industrial design gave the company early credibility and a design-oriented approach. The company's acquisition by Skullcandy in 2011 for $10.8 million and later by Logitech in 2017 for $85 million reflect its growing value in the gaming accessories market. ASTRO Gaming's sponsorship of esports events and partnerships with professional teams helped establish its presence in competitive gaming. The company's product lines, including headsets launched in 2008 and the Transport Series of gaming gear bags, positioned it as a specialist in audio and portable gaming equipment. Its legacy includes being a dedicated gaming brand that maintained its identity through multiple corporate ownerships, ultimately becoming part of Logitech's portfolio while continuing to operate from its original San Francisco headquarters.
Did You Know?
- ASTRO Gaming's predecessor, Astro Studios, helped design the Xbox 360 console and controller.
- The company was founded in 2006 by Brett Lovelady and Jordan Reiss in San Francisco, California.
- ASTRO Gaming was acquired by Logitech in 2017 for $85 million.
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