Razer sets up US$50mil Green Fund

• Green Fund to invest in environmental, sustainable startups; managed by zVentures
• Razer made seed investment into sustainable products startup The Nurturing Co

GAMER lifestyle brand Razer has announced the launching of its US$50 million Razer Green Fund, as well as a seed investment into sustainable products startup The Nurturing Co. Pte Ltd.

The US$50 million war chest is to support and invest in environmental and sustainability startups, managed by zVentures, Razer’s corporate ventures arm, the company said in a statement.
 

Razer said that the Green Fund is an integral part of Razer’s strategic investment activities and seeks to foster a green mindset amongst the company’s community of youth, millennials and Gen Z via “selective strategic investments.”

“Since the announcement of our 10-year sustainability roadmap, Razer has been inundated with requests on how startups can accelerate their own green initiatives,” said Patricia Liu, chief of staff at Razer.

“The Razer Green Fund was set up to empower start-ups with positive intentions to further their ambitions.”

These investments aim to accelerate sustainability companies, with a focus on renewable energy, carbon and plastic management, the company said. Through the Razer Green Fund, startups can confidently deliver innovative technology that would help shape the world for future generations, it added.

The announcements are in line with Razer’s 10-year sustainability roadmap that was outlined in March 2021, as part of its #GoGreenWithRazer initiative. It detailed four key verticals in the company’s commitment to preserve nature and protect the environment, including using 100% renewable energy by 2025 and achieving 100% carbon neutrality by 2030.

Within this 10-year plan, Razer also announced multiple initiatives under the Green Community vertical, to educate and rally gamers worldwide to contribute to green causes.

This includes the Sneki Snek Campaign in partnership with Conservation International to protect one million trees and the limited-edition Kanagawa Wave Apparel Collection made from recovered marine plastics.

Going bamboo

Kicking off the Green Fund initiative, Razer has completed a seed investment into The Nurturing Co through zVentures. The Nurturing Co notably created BAMBOOLOO, one of the world’s first single-use plastic-free bamboo toilet paper and home care brands.

The partnership will enable BAMBOOLOO to implement and supply bamboo toilet paper in some of Razer's global offices, including the new, soon-to-open Southeast Asian Headquarters and Malaysia office, it said.

The move is a part Razer's Green Organisation plan to ensure that all of Razer’s office operations will be 100% carbon neutral.

BAMBOOLOO is made from bamboo pulp, which has proven to be a sustainable choice for toilet papers. In addition to its growth speed, bamboo pulp requires 90% less water and 70% less carbon to produce as compared to wood pulp, it claimed.

According to The Nurturing Co, a family of four can save over 30,000 liters of water in a year by shifting to bamboo toilet paper. BAMBOOLOO helps consumers switch out of wood pulp paper products by offering bamboo-based toilet papers and other home care products.

“The Nurturing Co is excited to welcome Razer as a strategic investor. The immediate matching of possibilities and a desire to help make a positive impact around the world is encouraging and we are excited to have Razer onboarded,” said its David Ward, chief executive officer.

“Together with Razer, The Nurturing Co will bring our BAMBOOLOO range of sustainable, less impacting products to an even wider number of consumers across the world.”

Those interested in the Razer Green Fund can reach out to the organisation here, while more information on Razer’s #GoGreenWithRazer initiative can be found here.