What Bulbs.com does

Bulbs.com is a privately held, U.S.-based e-commerce distributor of replacement lighting products founded in 1999 and headquartered at 243 Stafford St., Worcester, MA. The company operates a catalog of 12,194+ SKUs spanning LED, halogen, fluorescent, CFL, HID, incandescent, miniature, and specialty bulbs, alongside lighting fixtures, ballasts and drivers, lighting controls, smart lighting, electric vehicle chargers, germicidal UV-C products, projector lamps, air-quality equipment, life-safety devices, and electrician hand tools. Its core commercial customer base exceeds 200,000 U.S. businesses across more than a dozen verticals, including property management, electrical contractors, hotels, manufacturing/warehousing, retail, healthcare, education, restaurants, auto dealerships, and places of worship.

The underlying technology is a standard e-commerce platform augmented by two proprietary self-service tools: BulbFinder (a step-by-step replacement-identification wizard) and BulbTrack (an account-management system that stores purchase history, reorder shortcuts, and product notes tied to specific properties or installations). There are no proprietary ML, AI, or marketplace-platform technologies disclosed. The company maintains authorized distribution partnerships with 30 electric utility companies across the U.S. — from New Hampshire to Hawaii — enabling instant point-of-purchase rebates on commercial LED conversions, with Bulbs.com handling rebate paperwork as a core service wrapper around the catalog.

Bulbs.com generates revenue primarily through one-time product sales at per-unit pricing with volume (case-quantity) discounts, plus ancillary services such as bulb recycling, instant financing via Credit Key, and rebate administration. The go-to-market is sales-led: dedicated account representatives serve commercial buyers via a live phone channel (1-888-455-2800), supplemented by direct website ordering. Free shipping is offered on orders over $149 with a $14.95 flat rate below that threshold. The CEO is Mike Connors. The company has not raised institutional capital since a $3.5M early-stage round in January 2000 (led by Arbor Partners), implying self-funded operations over a 25-year operating history.

Name

Bulbs.com

Legal name

Bulbs.com

Website

https://bulbs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bulbs.com is a 25-year-old U.S. e-commerce distributor of commercial and residential lighting products, including LED bulbs, fixtures, ballasts, EV chargers, and germicidal UV-C equipment, serving over 200,000 businesses across multiple verticals through direct sales and 30 utility-company rebate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Lighting Distribution

NAICS

Home Centers (444110)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070), Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply (5200)

akta.pro primary industry

Light Bulbs & Lamp Replacements Retail (LED, Smart Bulbs, Specialty) (CRAIAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lighting & Electrical Supplies for Home Distribution (CRAOAFAG), Outdoor & Landscape Lighting Retail (Path, Flood, Security, Deck) (CRAIAHAC)

Keywords

• Commercial lighting distribution
• LED replacement bulbs
• Lighting fixtures supply
• Utility rebate programs
• Electrical supplies e-commerce

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Bulbs.com generates revenue through the sale of light bulbs, fixtures, ballasts, lighting controls, and related products to commercial and residential customers. The company offers products across multiple categories including LED, halogen, fluorescent, CFL, HID, incandescent, and specialty bulbs, as well as lighting fixtures, ballasts, germicidal products, air quality products, and life/safety equipment. Products are sold at fixed prices with volume discounts available (case quantities).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Bulbs.com is an online distributor of replacement lighting products and related equipment serving commercial businesses (and some residential customers) nationwide. The 12,000+ SKU catalog spans light bulbs (LED, halogen, fluorescent, CFL, HID, incandescent, specialty), lighting fixtures, ballasts and drivers, light controls, smart lighting, germicidal UV-C products, projector lamps, EV chargers, air quality, life safety, and electrician hand tools. The offering is supported by proprietary BulbFinder and BulbTrack tools and by authorized instant-rebate partnerships with 30 U.S. electric utilities.

Product overview

Bulbs.com is a commercial lighting e-commerce platform offering a broad assortment of lighting products and related equipment primarily serving business customers. The core offering centers on a comprehensive Light Bulbs catalog spanning LED, halogen, fluorescent, CFL plug-in, HID, incandescent, miniature, sealed beam, and specialty subcategories. Supporting this, the company carries Lighting Fixtures (ceiling, undercabinet, security, outdoor, germicidal), Ballasts & Drivers, Light Control products (dimmers, sensors, switches), Smart Lighting, Electric Vehicle Chargers, Germicidal Products (UV-C lamps and fixtures), Projector Lamps, Air Quality products, Life & Safety equipment (exit signs, emergency lights, detectors), and Hand Tools for electricians. Key proprietary tools include BulbTrack (order/account history management), BulbFinder (replacement identification wizard), and a commercial Lighting Rebate Program leveraging authorized utility partnerships. The company positions itself as a one-stop commercial lighting resource with a focus on LED technology transitions and supporting services like recycling and instant rebates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BulbTrack: A product tracking system that allows customers to quickly access products they have ordered in the past or plan to purchase in the future, with the ability to add notes recording where products are used in their business or home.

Products and services

• Light Bulbs Comprehensive catalog of replacement light bulbs spanning LED, halogen, fluorescent, CFL plug-in, HID, incandescent, miniature, sealed beam, and specialty bulbs for commercial and residential applications.
• Lighting Fixtures Lighting fixtures including ceiling fixtures, undercabinet and cove lighting, security lights, stairwell fixtures, wall sconces, outdoor fixtures, solar lighting, retrofit kits, germicidal fixtures, and job site lighting for commercial properties.
• Ballasts & Drivers Electrical components for lighting systems including emergency ballasts, circline ballasts, CFL plug-in ballasts, linear ballasts, U-bent ballasts, HID ballasts, sign ballasts, Fulham ballasts, germicidal ballasts, and LED drivers.
• Light Control Products Lighting control products including wireless controls, dimmers, sensors, switches, fan controls, receptacles and plugs, wallplates, and photocells for managing and adjusting lighting in commercial spaces.
• Electric Vehicle Chargers Level 2 EV charging equipment and accessories for residential and commercial use, including commercial property and fleet charging stations.
• Germicidal Products UV-C germicidal lighting products including germicidal lamps, ballasts, high bay fixtures, portable fixtures, strips, troffers, UV light boxes, and wall-mounted units for disinfection applications in commercial facilities.
• Projector Lamps Replacement projector lamps and TV replacement bulbs from brands including Epson, Sony, and Hitachi, covering home theater, business, and educational projectors.
• Air Quality Products Air quality products including air purifiers, heating equipment, and ventilation systems for commercial and residential environments.
• Life & Safety Products Life safety equipment including smoke detectors, CO detectors, combination detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency lights, exit and emergency combo units, batteries, exit signs, PPE, and security cameras for commercial facilities.
• Hand Tools Electrical tools including screwdrivers and nut drivers, wire strippers/crimpers/pliers, levels and measures, saws and cutters, meters and testers, and electrician tool kits.
• Smart Lighting Smart and connected lighting products including starter kits, smart bulbs, smart fixtures, and smart accessories for residential and commercial automation.
• LED Bulbs Energy-efficient LED replacement bulbs in filament, A-style, linear, decorative, reflector, plug-in, miniature, HID retrofit, MR, globe, post top, sign/indicator, holiday, flashlight, and night-light form factors across color temperatures and base types.
• Automotive Lighting Replacement automotive light bulbs and lamps covering headlamps, interior lights, signaling bulbs, and sealed beam headlamps for cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs, paired with an Automotive Bulb Finder tool.
• Bulb Recycling Prepaid return recycling containers for linear fluorescent, HID, and compact fluorescent lamps, enabling compliant disposal of mercury-containing bulbs by commercial and residential customers.
• Lighting Rebate Programs Authorized distribution partnership with 30 electric utility companies across the U.S. offering instant point-of-purchase rebates on qualifying LED products, with Bulbs.com handling rebate paperwork on behalf of commercial customers.
• Contractor Choice Brand House brand of commercial lighting products selected to meet the needs and demands of electrical contractors, offering reliable and efficient lighting solutions designed to reduce contractor inventory and overhead costs.

Named customers2 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Electric Utility Companies (30 partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBulbs.com is an authorized distribution partner with 30 electric utility companies across the United States (from New Hampshire to Hawaii) offering Instant Point-of-Purchase Rebates for commercial customers converting to LED lighting. The company assists customers with rebate paperwork and serves as the bridge between utilities and businesses seeking energy efficiency upgrades.
• Energy StarminorOthersBulbs.com is an Energy Star partner, indicating product offerings meet EPA energy efficiency standards.
• NAILD (National Association of Independent Lighting Distributors)minorOthersIndustry association membership for independent lighting distributors.
• NAED (National Association of Electrical Distributors)minorOthersIndustry association membership for electrical distributors.
• Trusted Lighting Brands (Contractor Choice, Lithonia, Bulbrite, Satco, Philips, MaxLite, Sylvania, CEC, EmeryAllen, Lutron, Plusrite, Eiko)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBulbs.com distributes products from major lighting manufacturers including Contractor Choice, Lithonia Lighting, Bulbrite, Satco Products, Philips Lighting, MaxLite, Sylvania, CEC Industries, EmeryAllen, Lutron Electronics, Plusrite, and Eiko. These partnerships enable access to a comprehensive product catalog.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Grainger: Grainger is a broad-line industrial MRO distributor carrying replacement bulbs, fixtures, and electrical supplies alongside much larger maintenance and industrial categories — competes with Bulbs.com for facility and property-management spend on lighting and related consumables.
• Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED): CED is one of the largest U.S. electrical distribution networks serving contractors with lighting, wire, and electrical supplies across hundreds of branches — competes with Bulbs.com on commercial lighting through branch-based contractor relationships.
• Graybar: Graybar is one of the largest North American electrical, lighting, and communications distributors serving contractors, utilities, and industrial customers with branded lamps, fixtures, and lighting controls — overlaps with Bulbs.com on commercial lighting but at vastly greater scale.
• Rexel: Rexel is a global electrical distribution leader with extensive lighting product coverage serving contractors, industrial, and commercial accounts — competes with Bulbs.com across the full commercial lighting category from a much larger global footprint.
• Home Depot Pro: Home Depot operates a Pro program that sells lighting, fixtures, ballasts, and electrical supplies directly to contractors and commercial accounts, competing with Bulbs.com on both selection and brand trust in the same B2B buyer segments.
• Sonepar: Sonepar is a global electrical products distributor with strong lighting, controls, and fixture assortments serving commercial, industrial, and contractor customers — directly comparable to Bulbs.com's lighting category but distributed through branches internationally.

Direct peers

• 1000Bulbs.com: 1000Bulbs.com is a direct online competitor selling commercial-grade lighting products across LED, fluorescent, HID, and specialty bulbs, plus fixtures and ballasts, to businesses and contractors nationwide — virtually identical catalog and GTM motion to Bulbs.com.
• Atlanta Light Bulbs: Atlanta Light Bulbs is an online and phone-based distributor of replacement lamps, fixtures, ballasts, and emergency lighting serving facility managers, contractors, and commercial accounts — same product breadth and order workflow as Bulbs.com.
• Batteries.com (BatteryMart): Batteries.com is an e-commerce-first specialist distributor of replacement consumables (batteries and related products) to commercial and consumer buyers — same single-category online distribution playbook as Bulbs.com, illustrating a transferable business model.
• Lighting Supply Inc. Lighting Supply is an e-commerce-focused lighting distributor carrying bulbs, fixtures, ballasts, and controls for contractors and commercial customers, mirroring Bulbs.com's B2B e-commerce-led approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bulbscom
• Facebookfacebook.com/bulbscom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bulbs-com

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bulbs.com