1. FinchXR (a.k.a. Finch)
What they do:
Finch develops input technologies for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR). Their focus is on more natural and accurate tracking, especially of hands/fingers, without heavy reliance on external cameras or constraints. Their “FinchShift” controllers are part of this effort—wireless, 6-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) capable, using IMU sensors, optical tracking, etc
Why promising:
- Natural interaction is a big bottleneck in XR hardware. If hand/finger tracking becomes more reliable, immersive, and low-latency, it will help both esports and VR gaming more broadly.
- Their controllers are designed to minimize the usual trade-offs (e.g. camera occlusion, external tracking infrastructure).
- Reference designs means they can be licensed, so multiple manufacturers could adopt their tech. This helps scale.
Challenges:
- Hardware reliability and latency are critical. In esports or competitive gaming contexts, even small delays or tracking errors are unacceptable.
- Price points and manufacturing costs are always big constraints. To compete with established big brands, they’ll need to offer strong value.
- Broad content support: games and platforms will need to adapt to their input methods. Adoption from developers is essential.
2. Glytch Gear
What they do:
Glytch Gear makes hardware and infrastructure aimed at esports tournaments and live events. Their flagship product is the Glytch Battle Station — a portable, all-in-one gaming desk/station with built-in hardware (motherboard, graphics card, PSU), lighting, cable management, etc. The Battle Station is designed to fold, stack, and ship easily.
Why promising:
- Esports tournaments, pop-ups and LAN events have a logistical burden: time to set up, tear down; consistency of hardware; power & cable management; etc. A modular, tournament-grade station helps reduce overhead.
- Helps guarantee uniform hardware for fairness. If all players use standardized stations, that reduces performance variance due to different PCs or setups.
- Good potential for venue owners, esports organizers to scale events more efficiently.
Challenges:
- Cost and transportation: even fold-up stations with hardware are bulky and expensive to ship. Keeping maintenance and durability high is important.
- Upgradability: hardware becomes out of date fast in gaming. Ensuring the stations can be updated or reconfigured without full replacement is key.
- Market saturation: many venues already have setups; convincing organizers to adopt a whole new infrastructure requires strong ROI.
3. Secretlab
What they do:
While more mature than a tiny early-stage startup, Secretlab started relatively young and with a narrow focus: high-end gaming chairs. They have expanded into desks (e.g. the “Magnus” magnetic metal desk) and furniture for esports / gaming users
Why promising:
- Ergonomics matters in esports; players spend long hours practicing. Good chairs, desks that support posture, cable management, etc. contribute to comfort and long-term performance.
- Design, build quality, brand prestige are strong. Having gear that feels premium helps in competitive settings and content creation.
Challenges:
- Competition: many peripheral and furniture brands are trying to get into “gaming” ergonomic furniture. Being differentiated beyond aesthetics and branding is hard.
- Cost: premium chairs/desks are expensive; wider adoption may depend on more affordable lines.
4. DecaGear
What they do:
DecaGear is a Singapore-based startup working in VR hardware, especially with novel controller / movement control concepts, including hip-based movement control. They aim to increase immersion by allowing VR users to use their body more naturally
Why promising:
- Movement and physicality are big frontiers in VR/esports hybrid experience. Improving how movement is tracked (not just head/hand, but full body or hip motion) could add realism and competitive edges.
- Their geographical position (Asia) is advantageous, since many esports and mobile gaming markets are growing fast there.
Challenges:
- Physical input (movement, hip control) must be safe, accurate. Errors in movement tracking can lead to motion sickness or inconsistent performance.
- Hardware cost, tethering or wireless trade-offs, battery life, etc., are always constraints.
5. Startups Doing Related / Emerging Work
Besides the ones listed, there are related startups or projects working on haptics, VR/AR peripherals, or hardware design that may cross into esports hardware:
- Some academic or prototype efforts in haptic feedback (wearables that simulate texture, weight, touch) could become future esports peripherals. For example, prototypes like TouchVR or VibroWeight explore adding tactile sensations or simulating weight shift to enhance rea
- Others are exploring gesture tracking or body-tracking that could be applied to training, spectator experiences, or mixed reality broadcasts.
What to Look for in Good Esports-Hardware Startups
If you’re evaluating startups in this field (for investment, partnership, or use), these are key dimensions to consider:
| Dimension | Why It Matters |
| Latency / Accuracy | In competitive gaming, milliseconds matter. Input lag, motion lag, tracking error directly reduce performance. |
| Durability & Build Quality | Gear gets worn heavily in esports settings (lots of travel, setup/teardown, high usage). |
| Ergonomics & Comfort | Players spend many hours. Ergonomics helps prevent fatigue, injuries. |
| Modularity & Upgradability | Hardware ages quickly; ability to swap parts is a plus. |
| Cost & Accessibility | Lower cost/hassle increases adoption among smaller teams or regions. |
| Compatibility / Cross-platform Support | Works with multiple platforms, games, VR/AR systems, etc. Makes adoption easier. |
| Manufacturing & Supply Chain Reliability | Prototypes are one thing; scaling production is much harder. |
Summary
- FinchXR and DecaGear are pushing input and controller innovation in XR/VR, which could influence esports as VR grows.
- Glytch Gear is solving practical issues for esports events through hardware stations that are portable and uniform.
- Secretlab shows that even furniture and peripheral categories are still evolving in esports hardware.
