Notable Roles | - Co-Founder & CEO, Secretlab |
Key Recognition | - Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2018) |
Background and Early Foundations
Ian Ang grew up in Singapore as an avid gamer with a competitive streak and a strong interest in tech products. He studied business and management at the Singapore Management University, where he met Alaric Choo, his eventual Secretlab co-founder. Their shared frustration with poor-quality gaming chairs planted the seed for a new kind of ergonomic hardware company. Ang’s early exposure to e-commerce trends, combined with his obsession for product excellence, shaped the DTC-first DNA of Secretlab from day one.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2014 | Co-founded Secretlab at age 22 |
2016 | Expanded sales to Australia and the U.S. through a DTC model |
2020 | Achieved $100M+ revenue during the pandemic-fueled work-from-home boom |
2023 | Became an active angel investor in esports and foodtech |
2025 | Positioned Secretlab as a premium lifestyle and ergonomics brand |
- Chairs Sold (2025): Over 3 million globally
- Annual Revenue: Estimated $250+ million
- Global Reach: Shipped to 60+ countries
- Retail Partnerships: Best Buy, Amazon, Shopee
- Workforce: 200+ employees worldwide
Leadership Style and Influence
Ian Ang’s leadership blends gamer instincts with analytical rigor. He emphasizes product quality, lean operations, and deep control of branding and logistics. Known for tight execution and relentless product focus, his leadership style reflects a new generation of SEA founders: frugal, globally fluent, and obsessed with operational excellence.
Legacy and Future Focus
As Ang evolves into a founder-investor hybrid, his vision extends to infrastructure for digital lifestyle, esports, and future-of-work tools. His legacy will likely include not just Secretlab’s dominance in its category, but also his role in supporting the next wave of hardware and consumer innovators across Southeast Asia.
