Acer Milestones Timeline | Brand History & Innovation Journey | Acer Group
Milestones
Founding: August 1, 1976
History and Business Evolution
- Commercialization of microprocessor technology
- Creation of the Acer brand name and global expansion
- Transformation from manufacturing to a marketing and sales company
- Corporate expansion and a multi-brand strategy
- Gaming, new lifestyles, and cloud services
- Fostering sustainable innovations in computers and new businesses
1976
- Founded under the name “Multitech” with NT$1 million (US$25,000) in capital, focusing on trade, product design, and consultancy in the use of microprocessor technologies. (Aug. 1, 1976).
1978
- Established the Microprocessor Training Centre, training 3,000 engineers for Taiwan's information industry.
1979
- Expanded the business to central and southern Taiwan.
- Designed Taiwan's first mass-produced computer for export.
1980
- Designed the Dragon Computer Terminal, the Chinese language adaptation for computers.
1981
- Established its manufacturing operations at the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park in Taiwan.
- Debuted the MicroProfessor-I as the company’s first branded product.
1982
- Unveiled the MicroProfessor-II as Taiwan's first 8-bit home computer.
1984
- First company to promote 16-bit PC products in Taiwan.
- Established Acer Peripherals, Inc. (now BenQ Corp.).
1985
- Founded AcerLand, Taiwan's first and largest franchised computer retail chain.
1986
- Beat IBM to offer 32-bit PCs.
1987
- Created the “Acer” name.
1988
- Completed Acer Inc. initial public offering (April 1988).
1989
- Formed the TI-Acer DRAM joint venture with Texas Instruments.
1990
- Launched Acer’s first notebook.
- Acquired Altos Computer Systems, a manufacturer of multi-user and networked systems for commercial markets.
1991
- Introduced ChipUp™ technology – world's first 386-to-486 single-chip CPU upgrade solution.
1992
- Co-founder Stan Shih introduced the Smiling Curve concept.
1995
- The popular Aspire multimedia PC brought Acer closer to the consumer electronics market.
1998
- As official IT Sponsor of the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok, Acer introduced the world's first PC-based management system for a major international sporting event.
2000
- As part of its second re-engineering to transform into a marketing and sales company, Acer split off the manufacturing business unit to create Wistron Corp.
2001
- Introduced a new e-business model that integrates IT equipment, network, management platforms, and application software.
2002
- Inaugurated the Product Value Lab to enhance Acer's customer-centric focus in research and design.
- TravelMate C100 was the first convertible Tablet PC available in the worldwide market with pen input.
2004
- Acer Co-founder Stan Shih retired from the Group.
2005
- J.T. Wang assumed the position of Chairman and CEO, while Gianfranco Lanci stepped into the role of Corporate President.
- Launched Ferrari 4000, the first carbon-fiber notebook available in the worldwide market.
- Became the No. 1 brand in EMEA for notebooks.
2006
- Became a Sponsor of Scuderia Ferrari.
2007
- Completed the merger of Gateway, Inc.
2008
- Announced the acquisition of E-ten and plan to enter the smart handheld market.
- Acquired Packard Bell Inc. through the takeover of Gateway Inc.
- Launched the Aspire One, Acer’s first netbook.
2009
- Launched the Aspire Timeline portfolio – Acer’s first thin-and-light notebooks with all-day battery life.
- BusinessWeek named Acer among the “10 Hottest Tech Companies of 2009.”
- Launched the Liquid line of smartphones.
- Ranked as the world No. 2 company in Total PCs.
2010
- Provided and managed the computing facilities for Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
2011
- Acquired US-based iGware, investing in cloud technology.
- Debuted the first Ultrabook™ with the Aspire S3.
- Jim Wong assumed the role of Corporate President.
- Launched the ICONIA tablet PCs.
2012
- Supplied all computing equipment for the London 2012 Olympic Games and earned high appraisals from the assembly.
2013
- Elected Stan Shih as company Chairman and interim Corporate President.
- Announced Build Your Own Cloud (BYOC™) and the transition to a “hardware + software + services” company.
2014
- Appointed Jason Chen as Corporate President and CEO (Jan. 1, 2014).
- Debuted the company’s first wearable device, the Liquid Leap.
- George Huang succeeded Stan Shih as Chairman; Acer’s Board invited Stan Shih to become Honorary Chairman.
- Debuted on the Dow Jones Sustainability Emerging Markets Index and listed on the MSCI Global Sustainability Indexes for environmental, social and governance.
2015
- Sponsored Taiwan’s First IAAF certified marathon, Wan Jin Shi, providing the runner tracking service.
- Held its inaugural "next@acer" global press conference in New York.
- Announced the availability of the Predator gaming product line.
- Acquired GPS cycling computer brand, Xplova, to expand its reach in the sports industry.
2016
- Announced strategic partnership with GrandPad to tap into the senior care market.
- Began research and development into the virtual reality realm.
- Revealed the world’s first curved-screen gaming notebook, the Predator 21 X.
- Acquired Pawbo and stepped into the petware market.
2017
- Unveiled smart transportation solutions, including smart parking, and an intelligent mixology robot solution.
- The Board appointed Jason Chen as Chairman and CEO, and Meggy Chen as Corporate Chief Financial Officer.
- Sponsored 13,000 smartwatches to athletes and sports delegation participating in the Summer Universiade Taiwan, together with MediaTek Inc. and EasyCard Corp.
- Expanded its digital signage business by participating in the private placement of AOPEN.
- The Board approved to separate the data center business from Acer CyberCenter Services Ltd. (now Acer Cyber Security Inc.) and form a new company called Acer e-Enabling Data Center Inc.
2018
- Launched the world’s thinnest laptop, Swift 7, measuring at just 8.98 mm thin.
- Hosted the first Asia Pacific Predator League esports tournament and finals held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Expanded its gaming gadgets with the Predator Thronos chair.
- Announced the world’s lightest 15-inch notebook with the Swift 5 weighing just 990 grams.
- Introduced the Acer OJO 500 Windows Mixed Reality headset.
- Named a Proud Partner and Official Monitor Provider of the League of Legends World Championship, for the third consecutive year.
- Appointed Tiffany Huang and Jerry Kao as Co-chief Operating Officers.
2019
- Launched the ConceptD brand with a full portfolio of high-end products for creators, including desktops, notebooks, and monitors.
- As Official Sponsor of the 2019 Olympiad in Informatics in Azerbaijan, Acer provided servers to run the contest, and notebooks for contestants and staff.
- Predator was the first gaming brand to win the Red Dot brand award.
- Unveiled PLANET9, a next-generation esports platform and open community for gamers.
- The “Click to Pray eRosary” smart wearable, designed by its subsidiary GadgeTek Inc. (now Acer Gadget Inc.) in corporation with the Vatican for the Catholic community, captured much international media attention.
- Its subsidiary, Acer Cyber Security Inc. (ACSI), became listed on the Taipei Exchange.
- Teamed up with Ubisoft with the Predator brand as official PC and monitor sponsor for the Rainbow Six Pro League and Majors esports events through to 2020.
2020
- Held the first online next@acer global press conference due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Launched the Acer Enduro line of notebook and tablet for rugged use.
- Entered the beverage business with the PredatorShot energy drink and VitaBeauty collagen drink, expanding its lifestyle products.
- Expanded its air monitoring business by establishing the Acerpure Inc. subsidiary and launched the “acerpure cool” 2-in-1 air circulator and purifier.
- Collaborated with National Taiwan University Hospital and Novartis Taiwan to receive the first AI-assisted diagnostic software ophthalmic medical device certification from the Taiwan Food & Drug Administration (TFDA approved license).
- Its subsidiary, Acer e-Enabling Service Business Inc. (AEB), teamed up with the Centers for Disease Control to build an information system for critical medical supplies and the Taiwan Healthcare-Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (THAS), providing medical officials with real time data during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The newly established business, Acer Gaming Inc., became a distributor of products from Sony Interactive Entertainment Taiwan.
- Its subsidiary, Acer Synergy Tech Corp. (AST), became listed on the Taipei Exchange.
2021
- Its subsidiary, Weblink International, became listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
- Introduced the award-winning ConceptD 7 SpatialLabs Edition laptop, bringing glasses-free stereoscopic 3D to designers and developers.
- Acer Group joined the RE100 initiative and committed to source 100% renewable electricity by 2035.
- Announced the “Earthion” platform to help tackle environmental challenges by uniting the strengths of its employees and supply chain partners.
- Unveiled the Vero line of sustainability-focused products, starting with the Aspire Vero notebook.
2022
- Held the inaugural Acer Green Day and kicked off “21-Day Challenge,” motivating more than 7,000 employees of Acer, its partners, and suppliers to amplify positive impacts on the environment.
- Launched the World Predator League esports tournaments held across various regions around the world in EMEA, Pan America, and China.
- Its subsidiary, Acer Medical Inc., became listed on the Taipei Exchange Emerging Stock Market.
- Its subsidiary, Acer e-Enabling Service Business Inc. (AEB) became listed on the Taipei Exchange.
- Its subsidiary, Acer Gaming Inc., became listed on the Taipei Exchange Emerging Stock Market.
- Its subsidiary, Highpoint Service Network Corp., became listed on the Taipei Exchange Emerging Stock Market.
- Its subsidiary, Acer Gadget Inc. became listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
2023
- Announced a new version of its SpatialLabs 3D technology bringing a new dimension to gaming.
- Pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
- Expanded the Vero line of eco-conscious computers to projectors, routers, and air purifiers.
- Victor Chien stepped into the role of Corporate President.
- Entered the e-mobility market with an AI-driven e-bike that adapts to riding conditions and bike desk, both empowering sustainable lifestyles.
- Its sub-subsidiary, Winking Studios, a game content design company, was listed on the Singapore Exchange Catalist.
- Its sub-subsidiary, Acer Synergy Manpower Corp. was listed on the Taipei Exchange Emerging Market.
- Expanded its foothold in the energy storage industry by investing in C-Life Technologies, Inc., a lithium iron phosphate battery cells maker in Taiwan.
- Unveiled its “Conscious Technology” vision for technology designed and made with consideration for the future.
2024
- Debuted its first carbon-neutral notebook with the Aspire Vero 16 AI PC.
- Expanded its Predator gaming monitor line for hardcore gamers with a massive 57-inch curved and MiniLED display, Predator Z57.
- Announced its first Copilot+ PC with the Swift 14 AI laptop.
- Launched the SpatialLabs Eyes Stereo Camera that enables real-time streaming, storytelling, and sharing of 3D content on various platforms; fully integrates with the SpatialLabs product portfolio.
- Awarded EcoVadis Sustainability Rating’s Platinum medal for the third straight year, representing the top 1% of rated companies.
- Named Forbes World’s Best Employers for the fifth consecutive year and Top Female Friendly Companies for the third year.
- Debuted on Dow Jones Sustainability World Index 2024 and listed on DJSI Emerging Markets Index for the 11th consecutive year.
- A constituent of the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the ninth consecutive year.
- Listed in the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes for the 11th year, garnering the best rating of “AAA” in its category since 2021.
- Its sub-subsidiary, Protrade Applied Materials Corp., was listed on the Taipei Exchange Emerging Stock Market.
- Its subsidiary, Acerpure Inc., was listed on the Taipei Exchange Emerging Stock Market.
- Its sub-subsidiary, Winking Studios, was listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM Market.
2025
- Listed in the Top 5% of companies in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025 for sustainable business practices.