What is Lighting Science?
Lighting Science Group Corporation, established in 1988 and headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, is a key player in the design, development, and marketing of general illumination products utilizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The company serves a diverse clientele, including retailers and original equipment manufacturers across the United States. Its product portfolio encompasses a wide array of LED retrofit lamps designed to replace traditional lighting solutions, as well as advanced LED luminaires such as the solar-powered FreeLED street lighting system. Furthermore, Lighting Science is active in the biological lighting market, offering circadian rhythm-focused lamps (Good Night and Good Day), horticultural lighting (VividGro), and specialized outdoor and high bay luminaires (MyNature). The company reaches its target markets—spanning residential and office spaces, retail and hospitality, government and private infrastructure, and educational institutions—through multiple channels, including direct sales, distributors, and independent agents.
How much funding has Lighting Science raised?
Lighting Science has raised a total of $422.4M across 8 funding rounds:
Share Placement
$18M
Share Placement
$140M
Private Equity
$168M
Private Equity
$20M
Share Placement
$53M
Private Equity
$13M
Unspecified
$10M
Debt
$350K
Share Placement (2011): $18M with participation from Michael Kempner and Pegasus Capital
Share Placement (2012): $140M led by Zouk Capital, Riverwood Capital, and Pegasus Capital
Private Equity (2012): $168M supported by Riverwood Capital, Pegasus Capital Advisors LP, and Zouk Capital
Private Equity (2013): $20M featuring Riverwood Capital and Pegasus Capital
Share Placement (2014): $53M backed by Medley Capital Corporation
Private Equity (2014): $13M with participation from Serengeti Asset Management
Unspecified (2015): $10M, investors not publicly disclosed
Debt (2020): $350K supported by PPP
Key Investors in Lighting Science
Pegasus Capital
Pegasus Capital Advisors is a leading global private markets impact investment manager focused on generating strong returns for investors while fostering sustainable growth. The firm specializes in investments that create jobs, expand access to clean energy, and promote water and food security.
Riverwood Capital
Founded in 2007, Riverwood Capital is a private equity firm that invests in high-growth, middle-market companies primarily in global technology and technology-enabled industries where the use of software, information and digital technologies can contribute to value creation.
Zouk Capital
Zouk Capital is a fund manager dedicated to investing in the sustainable economy, focusing on opportunities at the intersection of infrastructure, technology, and sustainability. The company supports innovative projects, such as battery energy storage systems and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
What's next for Lighting Science?
The recent major strategic investment in Lighting Science indicates a strong confidence in the company's future trajectory and its capacity for further innovation and market penetration. Given the enterprise-level context of its total funding, the company is likely in a growth phase, focusing on scaling its operations, expanding its product lines, and potentially exploring new market segments. The strategic nature of the latest financing suggests a focus on synergistic partnerships or technological advancements that will solidify its position in the competitive LED and biological lighting markets. Future developments may include enhanced R&D for more energy-efficient and sustainable lighting solutions, as well as broader adoption of its specialized products in sectors like smart cities and advanced agriculture.
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