Ian Alexander Ang Zheng Wei, born circa 1992, is a prominent Singaporean entrepreneur known for co-founding Secretlab. Established in 2014 with Alaric Choo, Secretlab has rapidly gained acclaim for its premium gaming chairs, becoming a leading name in the industry. Under Ian’s leadership, the company is celebrated for its innovative approach and commitment to exceptional comfort, solidifying its position as a top choice for gamers worldwide.

Early life and Background

Ian Ang, born around 1992 in Singapore, was the younger of two siblings.While his parents operated an automobile repair shop, Ian Ang spent much of his childhood with his aunt in Chong Pang. He attended Chongfu Primary School and Orchid Park Secondary School before earning a diploma in business studies from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. As a teenager, Ang gained recognition as a competitive esports player by winning a regional StarCraft II tournament. In June 2021, he made significant real estate investments, acquiring a 23,424 square foot bungalow near the Singapore Polo Club for S$36 million and a 7,007 square foot triplex penthouse at Leedon Residence for S$15 million.

Ian Ang Career Highlights:

• Co-founded Secretlab: In December 2014, while studying Information Systems, Ian Ang and Alaric Choo launched Secretlab, focusing on high-quality gaming chairs.
• Role and Vision: Ang, as CEO, managed engineering, marketing, and product strategy, and adopted the title “Protector of the Realm” inspired by Game of Thrones.
• Initial Investment: They started with S$50,000 from their personal savings.
• Rapid Success: Secretlab quickly gained traction, achieving a market valuation of S$200–300 million by August 2019.
• Milestone Achievement: By 2020, Secretlab celebrated selling its millionth chair.

Since its founding in 2014, Secretlab quickly gained acclaim with its first prototype, which sold out within a week. Praised for its ergonomic design, Cold-Cure foam technology, adjustable armrests, and PU-coated wheels, the chair received high marks from reviewers for comfort and functionality.

Today, Secretlab has shipped over 300,000 chairs to more than 50 countries, with a small fraction of sales coming from Singapore and the majority from Western markets. The company’s reputation soared as the official gaming chair partner for The International 2019, a Dota 2 e-sports championship boasting a prize pool of over US$34 million. Recently, Secretlab further solidified its standing by partnering with G2 Esports, the reigning European e-sports champion.

Ian Ang: Leading the Gaming Revolution with Secretlab and Pioneering Industry Partnerships”

The gaming industry, valued at billions, sees Ian Ang and his co-founder Alaric Choo at its forefront. Leading Secretlab, an acclaimed gaming chair specialist, they have forged global partnerships with Riot Games, known for League of Legends, and collaborated with figures like electronic musician deadmau5 and footballer Dele Alli. In 2020, Ian was honored as EY Entrepreneur of the Year, becoming the youngest recipient of the prestigious award.

Sales and Finance

• Investment and Valuation: In August 2019, Heliconia Capital Management, a subsidiary of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, acquired a minority stake in Secretlab, boosting its market capitalization to an estimated S$200–300 million.
• 2020 Deliveries and Financials: Secretlab reported delivering at least 500,000 chairs in 2020. The company achieved an estimated annual operating profit of S$70 million and revenue of S$350 million for the fiscal year.
• Unicorn Status: By March 2021, Tech in Asia estimated that Secretlab was close to surpassing a US$1 billion valuation, positioning the company as a potential unicorn.

Secretlab’s Achievements and Quality Issues: A Comprehensive Review

Awards and Recognition: Secretlab’s Omega 2020 was named the best gaming chair of 2019 by PC Gamer and also won Best Gaming Chair in 2020 from GamesRadar+. T3 awarded the Magnus as the best gaming accessory of 2021, while IGN recognized the Titan Evo 2022 as the best gaming chair of 2022.

Quality Concerns: In 2020, some users reported issues with chair coverings peeling, which Ian Ang attributed to unusually high humidity. The company addressed these concerns promptly.

Comparative Study: A 2022 study by the University of California, Berkeley compared the Secretlab Titan Evo, featuring Cold-Cure foam, with a mesh chair. The Titan Evo showed better supportability, seat pressure distribution, and subjective performance in computer-based tasks, although comfort differences between foam and mesh chairs were minimal.