Strong quarterly earnings strengthen Cree, LED market at large
Cree, one of the most formidable companies in the efficient lighting market, reported strong earnings for its fourth quarter ended June 28 — tallying $148.1 million in revenue, a 9 percent increase from last year. Net income also increased from $8.4 million to $9.7 million since 2008.
Also significant: for its full fiscal year, Cree brought in $567.3 million — a 15 percent uptick from the $493.3 million brought in last year, beating analyst predictions by… Continue Reading
Cree settles patent suit with LED co. Bridgelux
Efficient lighting company Cree has settled its patent infringement lawsuit with Sunnyvale, Calif. LED maker Bridgelux after two years of litigation. Not only must Bridgelux pay to license the technology from Cree — technology that increases the efficiency of LED lighting systems — but it also signed an agreement to make Cree one of its major suppliers.
The suit encompassed six different patents concerning LEDs (long-lasting lighting systems that cut energy use up to 85 percent… Continue Reading
BridgeLux, a high-efficiency LED maker, adds on $40M
BridgeLux has secured a hefty $40 million round to use for product development and expansion, despite facing ongoing patent litigation from giant LED maker Cree.
BridgeLux, like Cree, makes the chip that is the light-emitting part of LEDs, which it then sells to other firms. The company’s chips are predominantly in electronics and automotive applications, but are also being delivered for use in general lighting for homes and businesses.
The funding is notable because it’s one of… Continue Reading
BridgeLux, another clean-light company — but faces lawsuit
BridgeLux, maker of chips for “light emitting diodes” that are environmentally cleaner lighting sources than standard lightbulbs, has raised a $23 million third round of funding, according to VentureWire (subscription required).
It joins the rush of other LED companies, including D.lightdesign (coverage), Quanlight (coverage), Intematix (raised $25 million from DFJ and Crosslink), Group IV Semiconductor ($8.2M from Khosla Ventures and BDC Capital). Yet another company, publicly traded Cree, has sued BridgeLux for patent infringement.
The BridgeLux round… Continue Reading