Lsgc
Defunct1 known investors
Lighting Science Group Corporation was an LED lamp and luminaire manufacturer whose operations wound down after 2021.
Also known as Lighting Science · Lighting Science Group Corporation · LSGC
Investors · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Lighting Science Group Corporation (LSGC) was a manufacturer of LED lighting products positioned as more energy efficient and environmentally friendlier than traditional lighting. Its portfolio included retrofit LED lamps in form factors matching conventional lamps and bulbs, and LED luminaires for indoor and outdoor applications across public and private infrastructure. An Advanced Projects Group business unit designed, developed and manufactured custom LED lighting solutions for architectural and artistic projects.
The company operated a group structure with several affiliates and subsidiaries, including Healthe Inc. (circadian and human-centric lighting, spun off in 2019), VividGro, Inc. (horticultural lighting, later reorganized as GroAdvisor), and Global Value Lighting, a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer MLS for retail private-label LED products. LSGC was publicly traded and was backed by private equity firm Pegasus Capital Advisors and, from 2012, by Riverwood Capital.
LSGC held LED-related patents that it asserted against competitors, filing ITC and district court actions against Nichia in 2019; the ITC subsequently determined the asserted patents were invalid and that Nichia, Osram and Lumileds did not infringe. The company's stock lost all value in 2021, Healthe entered Chapter 7 liquidation later that year, and LSGC's and GroAdvisors' websites were offline by early 2023.
Founding story
Industry reporting citing Crunchbase data states that LSGC was founded in 2004 and that Fred Maxik was its founder.
Business model
LSGC designed, developed, manufactured and marketed LED lighting products sold into consumer and commercial channels, including retrofit LED lamps and luminaires, custom architectural and artistic lighting through its Advanced Projects Group, and, via the Global Value Lighting joint venture with MLS, retail private-label LED products. Products were built from a mix of domestic and imported parts.
Revenue came from sales of LED lamps, luminaires and custom lighting solutions to consumer, commercial and infrastructure customers, including retail private-label products through the Global Value Lighting joint venture.
Traction
The company employed approximately 1,000 workers at the time of Riverwood Capital's 2012 investment and raised approximately $140 million in that round; a funding record cited in industry reporting places total funding at $320 million with a final post-IPO equity round on August 2, 2016.
Latest developments
The ITC issued final determinations in April and October 2020 invalidating the LSGC patents asserted against Nichia, Osram and Lumileds. LSGC's stock value fell to zero in July 2021 and did not recover, and spin-off Healthe Inc. filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on December 10, 2021. By February 2023 the LSGC and GroAdvisors websites returned 404 errors and the Healthe domain was offered for sale, while the Global Value Lighting website remained online and Pegasus Capital Advisors still listed LSGC among its investments.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
LSGC was a publicly traded LED lighting manufacturer employing roughly 1,000 people at the time of its 2012 financing, competing with and litigating against large LED component and lighting suppliers including Nichia, Osram and Lumileds, before ceasing to operate.
LSGC positioned its products around energy efficiency relative to traditional lighting and around retrofit form factors compatible with conventional lamps, supported by an in-house patent portfolio and a custom-engineering unit for architectural and artistic installations. It also pursued human-centric, circadian lighting technology, which formed the basis of the Healthe spin-off.
Technology
The company's technology base was LED lighting, including retrofit lamp designs matching traditional form factors, LED luminaires for indoor and outdoor use, custom engineered lighting for architectural and artistic installations, and circadian lighting intellectual property intended to support health, well-being and performance in built environments, which was transferred to the Healthe spin-off.
Go-to-market
LSGC sold LED lamps and luminaires for consumer and commercial applications in both public and private sectors, reached retail channels through private-label products made by the Global Value Lighting joint venture, and served project-based customers via its Advanced Projects Group.
Consumer and commercial buyers of LED lighting, public and private infrastructure projects for indoor and outdoor lighting, retail private-label customers, architectural and artistic project clients, and, through affiliates, horticultural growers and health/well-being focused built environments.
Geography
The company was headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, with earlier operations and a contact phone number in the 321 area code associated with Florida; its Global Value Lighting joint venture partner MLS is a Chinese manufacturer, and its contact information continued to point to the former LSGC headquarters in Rhode Island.
History
According to data cited in industry reporting, the company was founded in 2004 by Fred Maxik and was a portfolio company of private equity firm Pegasus Capital Advisors. In May 2012 Riverwood Capital led an equity round of approximately $140 million. In March 2017 LSGC formed the Global Value Lighting joint venture with Chinese manufacturer MLS, and in February 2019 it announced the spin-off of Healthe Inc. to commercialize circadian lighting technology. A cited funding record lists a final post-IPO equity round closing on August 2, 2016 and total funding of $320 million. From 2019 the company was engaged in patent litigation with Nichia, Osram and Lumileds; ITC final determinations in April and October 2020 held the asserted LSGC patents invalid and found no infringement. LSGC's stock value went to zero in July 2021, Healthe filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in December 2021, and by February 2023 the LSGC and GroAdvisors websites returned 404 errors, with industry reporting describing the businesses as out of operation despite no identifiable bankruptcy or formal closure filing for LSGC itself.
Risks & controversies
LSGC's patent assertions against Nichia collapsed when the ITC found the asserted patents invalid and no infringement by Nichia, Osram or Lumileds, and Nichia filed counter-suits against LSGC, Healthe and VividGro. The company's stock value went to zero in July 2021, Healthe entered Chapter 7 liquidation in December 2021, and LSGC and GroAdvisors ceased to maintain websites, with no public record identified of how or exactly when LSGC wound down despite its status as a public company.
Compiled by commissioned research from 2 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 9
launches, deals, and filingsAs of February 2023, the URLs for LSGC and GroAdvisors returned 404 errors and Healthe Inc.'s domain was listed for sale; industry reporting described LSGC and GroAdvisor as out of business, though no bankruptcy or formal closure filing for LSGC could be identified.
Healthe, spun off from LSGC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and closed its doors for liquidation.
Nichia, Osram and Lumileds reported victory in patent disputes with LSGC after the U.S. International Trade Commission issued final determinations on April 7, 2020 and October 1, 2020 finding the asserted LSGC patents invalid and no infringement by the three companies.
Nichia Corporation filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against LSGC, along with suits against affiliates Healthe, Inc. and VividGro, Inc. (later reorganized as GroAdvisor).
LSGC filed a proceeding before the U.S. International Trade Commission and in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia asserting that Nichia products infringed three LSGC-owned patents.
LSGC publicly announced the spin-off of Healthe Inc., intended to use LSGC core technology and intellectual property to create circadian lighting solutions for built environments.
LSGC created Global Value Lighting as a joint venture with Chinese manufacturer MLS to produce retail private-label LED products.
Riverwood Capital led a round totaling approximately $140 million in equity funding and commitments, of which roughly $88 million was new equity funding and commitments and about $52 million represented conversion of bridge financings occurring since Q4 2011. Proceeds were designated to finance growth and expand manufacturing capabilities.
$140M source ↗
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 2
primary sources listed
- What Ever Happened To Lighting Science Group? | LightNOWlightnowblog.com · web
2 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Lsgc do?
- Lighting Science Group Corporation was an LED lamp and luminaire manufacturer whose operations wound down after 2021.
- Who are Lsgc's investors?
- Lsgc's investors include Zouk Capital.