LightBee
LightBee is a Spanish VLC technology company (1–10 employees, founded 2012) that builds LED-light-based wireless access control and authentication products, including LightKey, BlueKey, BEESIBLE SDK, and LightNosis for automotive, targeting enterprise customers in smart buildings, mobility, and data centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersLas Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What LightBee does
LightBee, legally LIGHTBEE, S.L., is a Spanish private limited company founded in August 2012 as a spin-off from the synergy between Genesis Ingeniería and IDeTIC at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). Headquartered in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with an additional presence in the United States, the company specializes in Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology that uses LED light modulation to transmit secure wireless data via existing mobile device LEDs (camera flash, screens), lighting infrastructure, and automotive headlights. The technology is positioned as an alternative to NFC, Bluetooth, and RFID for short-range authentication, with claimed advantages including offline operation, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and no radio-frequency emissions.
The company's product portfolio includes LightKey (wireless access control via cloud-connected optical receivers), BlueKey (multi-modal wireless validation supporting mobile, card, codes, remote opening, and traditional keys), BEESIBLE (a developer-facing SDK for VLC-based user validation), LightNosis (automotive aftermarket and shared vehicle access via headlight modulation), and LightDim (smart city/energy efficiency LED applications). It also offers two R+D+i services: Comunia (digital access and energy management for residential communities) and Aura Innova AI (AI implementation consulting). LightBee monetizes through a mix of hardware unit sales (optical receivers priced at approximately €120), SDK licensing (BEESIBLE), and recurring cloud services for user management.
LightBee's go-to-market is sales-led B2B targeting enterprise customers across smart buildings/hotels, automotive/mobility, data centers, and developer channels. The company relies heavily on non-dilutive funding, including HORIZON 2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 and Phase 2 grants (2017, 2018), EISMEA awards (2015–2016), SIMO Network Vivero Award (2012), Newchip Accelerator participation (2021), and EU NextGenerationEU/Kit Digital co-funding (2024), and participates in multiple EU consortia (SUPERIOT, ENLIGHTEM, ELIOT, EURIPIDES²). The company has 1–10 employees, no disclosed revenue, and primarily demonstrates commercial proof through pilot programs (BFA shared vehicle program), trade fair showcases (MWC, CeBIT, Vivatech), and accelerator participations rather than announced enterprise contracts.
LightBee firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LightBee
- Legal name
- LIGHTBEE, S.L.
- Website
- https://lightbeecorp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LightBee is a Spanish VLC technology company (1–10 employees, founded 2012) that builds LED-light-based wireless access control and authentication products, including LightKey, BlueKey, BEESIBLE SDK, and LightNosis for automotive, targeting enterprise customers in smart buildings, mobility, and data centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LightBee industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wireless Access Control and Visible Light Communication
- NAICS
- Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Electric Lighting Fixture Manufacturing (335132), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (3351)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Remote Unlock & Visitor Management (Mobile Credentials/Packages) (HSAHAIAL), Smart Lighting Control (Switches, Dimmers, Scenes) Integration (HSAOANAF), Optical & Light Sensors (Photodiodes/ALS/Color/UV) (HDAHALAE)
Keywords
Where LightBee is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
LightBee business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Optical Receivers: Sales of optical receivers for locks and doors at approximately €120 per unit. Hardware components include Control Unit, Optical Receiver, and standard electronic lock integration.
- SDK/Licensing (BEESIBLE): B2B developer-focused SDK licensing for VLC-based user validation and identification applications. Decoder connects to cloud server via API for user management.
- Cloud Services: Cloud-connected decoder and server infrastructure for managing users, access permissions, and access history logs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Optical Receiver Hardware |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels12 records
LightBee product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LightBee develops and sells Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology products and services for secure wireless access control, user identification, and validation. Its portfolio includes integrated hardware-software solutions (LightKey, BlueKey, LightNosis, LightDim) using LED light modulation via mobile device LEDs and fixed optical receivers, plus the BEESIBLE developer SDK that enables third parties to embed VLC-based authentication in their applications. The company also offers R+D+i consulting services through Aura Innova AI and Comunia, targeting enterprise customers across smart buildings, automotive/mobility, and data centers.
Product overview
LightBee offers an integrated ecosystem of Visible Light Communication (VLC) products. The core product portfolio includes LightKey (wireless access control via mobile LED light modulation to cloud-connected receivers), BlueKey (multi-access wireless validation with mobile, card, codes, and remote opening), and BEESIBLE (developer SDK for VLC-based validation on mobile devices). The company also provides R+D+i services through Aura Innova AI (artificial intelligence consulting and implementation) and Comunia (building community services including access management and energy efficiency). LightNosis addresses automotive aftermarket applications while LightDim enables smart city LED applications. All products leverage VLC technology for secure, wireless, electromagnetic-immune data transmission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BEESIBLE: First market solution for developers based on LED light modulation of mobile devices through an SDK, enabling secure wireless validation/identification applications even in offline zones such as underground parking or crowded events. The decoder connects and manages via API to a cloud server for online user management.
- LightKey
- BlueKey
- Comunia
- Aura Innova AI
- LightNosis
Products and services
- LightKey Wireless access control and validation solution that enables optical wireless data transmission between mobile LED light modulation (camera flash/screen) and a cloud-connected optical receiver using VLC technology; designed for enterprise customers seeking secure, offline-capable mobile access via standard electronic locks.
- BlueKey Wireless access control/validation solution that allows wireless data transmission between mobile devices and a cloud-connected receiver, offering a balance of security and implementation cost through multiple access types including mobile, card, codes, remote opening via gateway, and traditional key.
- BEESIBLE SDK First market solution oriented to developers, delivered as an SDK based on LED light modulation of mobile devices, enabling secure user validation and identification on smartphones even in offline zones such as underground parking or crowded events, with the decoder connecting via API to a cloud server for online user management.
- LightNosis VLC-based solution for automotive aftermarket service business models, enabling vehicle identification and validation through headlight modulation for applications such as car sharing, parking access, and ferry vehicle verification.
- LightDim Smart city VLC innovation that enables new functionalities in LED lighting infrastructure for intelligent energy use in living and working environments; recognized with the Hager Group bronze award at CeBIT for energy efficiency innovation.
- Aura Innova AI R+D+i service providing artificial intelligence solutions and software implementation consulting, specializing in digital transformation of businesses through AI implementation, including consulting, license acquisition, technical implementation, and team training.
- Comunia R+D+i service for building communities including improvement of common access areas with digital management, energy efficiency for near-zero energy buildings, and building conservation and planning with Building Book preparation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100 Mbit/s data transmission with 5ms latency demonstrated in BMW factory LiFi test
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use LightBee
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LightBee technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
LightBee partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- SUPERIOT ConsortiumcoreEU-funded project on Truly Sustainable Printed Electronics-based IoT combining optical and radio wireless technologies.
- ENLIGHTEM ConsortiumcoreEuropean Training Network in Low-energy Visible Light IoT Systems for training and research development.
- ELIOT ConsortiumcoreEU project Enhance Lighting for the Internet of Things focused on VLC integration with IoT.
- EURIPIDES² ConsortiumcoreTwo EURIPIDES² projects: Intelligent Mobile Access Solutions in Europe and Visible Light Communication for the Automotive Sector.
- Business Factory Auto (BFA)coreAutomotive accelerator program by CEAGA; Lightbee participated with LightNosis solution for BFA shared car access control. BFA supported Lightbee's presence at Startup Olé AUTOTECH stand.
- EIT Urban MobilitymajorEuropean Institute of Innovation and Technology urban mobility program; Lightbee presented first VLC hardware-ready mobility solution at matchmaking event for integration with mobility platforms.
- startups R ProgramminorGalician technology startup program promoting growth of newly created tech companies.
- Hager GroupminorBronze award winner in Recognition for E_nnovation @ Hager Group at CeBIT for LightDim VLC innovation for smart cities and energy efficiency.
- CeBIT CODE_nminorInnovation platform showcasing LightBee VLC technology at CeBIT 2013.
- Valeo LabmajorSelected to exhibit Lightnosis VLC solution for car aftermarket business models at Vivatech Paris for Valeo Lab.
- MWCapital / GSMAmajorMobile World Congress organizer partnership; participation at MWC Barcelona, Shanghai, and America events.
- Sociedad de Promoción Económica de Gran Canaria (SPEGC)minorEconomic promotion organization of Gran Canaria supporting Lightbee participation at 41ª Feria Internacional del Atlántico.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LightBee competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HID Global: US-based identity and access management solutions provider and ASSA ABLOY subsidiary. Broad incumbent in credential-based access control that competes for the same hotel, enterprise, and government facility contracts LightBee pursues.
- Panasonic: Japanese electronics conglomerate with publicly demonstrated LiFi products for enterprise wireless networking. Broad incumbent pursuing VLC as part of a much larger connectivity and lighting portfolio.
- Signify (Philips Trulifi): Global lighting giant whose Trulifi brand offers LiFi/VLC-enabled luminaires for enterprise wireless communication. Significantly larger balance sheet and established lighting OEM channel make Signify the most consequential broad incumbent in the VLC space.
- ASSA ABLOY: Swedish access-control and locking conglomerate owning HID, Allegion competitors, and dozens of smart lock brands. Comparable as the dominant incumbent in the access-control market LightBee's LightKey/BlueKey solutions target.
- SALTO Systems: Spanish electronic access control manufacturer with strong European presence in hospitality and smart-building verticals. Direct geographic and segment overlap with LightBee's smart-building and hotel focus.
- Acuity Brands (ByteLight): US lighting and building solutions firm that acquired ByteLight, a VLC-based indoor positioning startup. Comparable as a broad incumbent with VLC technology assets integrated into a wider lighting and controls portfolio.
Direct peers
- pureLiFi: Edinburgh-based LiFi technology company developing VLC-based wireless networking and communication products. Most direct comparable to LightBee given overlapping core technology, B2B enterprise focus, and pursuit of VLC-based data transmission solutions.
- Oledcomm: French LiFi company offering VLC-based indoor wireless communication products including access control and positioning applications. Direct competitor in the VLC-for-access-control niche with similar European base and multi-vertical positioning.
Emerging players
- VLNComm: US-based VLC startup developing LiFi lighting products for enterprise and educational customers. Comparable emerging player with overlapping VLC technology focus, though targeting illumination-integrated rather than access-control use cases.
- Lucibel: French LiFi-specialist lighting company offering VLC-integrated luminaires for professional markets. Comparable emerging player with European base and LiFi-as-lighting positioning similar to LightBee's LightDim application.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LightBee social profiles
Digital presenceLightBee compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
LightBee financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LightBee leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
LightBee funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LightBee M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LightBee
What does LightBee do?
LightBee develops and sells Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology products and services for secure wireless access control, user identification, and validation. Its portfolio includes integrated hardware-software solutions (LightKey, BlueKey, LightNosis, LightDim) using LED light modulation via mobile device LEDs and fixed optical receivers, plus the BEESIBLE developer SDK that enables third parties to embed VLC-based authentication in their applications. The company also offers R+D+i consulting services through Aura Innova AI and Comunia, targeting enterprise customers across smart buildings, automotive/mobility, and data centers.
Is LightBee a public or private company?
LightBee is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LightBee founded?
LightBee was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LightBee based?
LightBee is headquartered in Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does LightBee make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - Optical Receivers are the primary driver. The others are SDK/Licensing (BEESIBLE) and cloud Services.
Who are LightBee's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are HID Global, Panasonic, Signify (Philips Trulifi), ASSA ABLOY, SALTO Systems and Acuity Brands (ByteLight). Direct peers are pureLiFi and Oledcomm. Emerging players are VLNComm and Lucibel.
Does LightBee have an API?
No public API is recorded for LightBee.
What industry is LightBee in?
LightBee's product category is Wireless Access Control and Visible Light Communication. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAJAF, Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors), with a secondary code of HSAHAIAL, Remote Unlock & Visitor Management (Mobile Credentials/Packages). Its NAICS code is 335132 and its SIC code is 3827.