Chips 4 Light

What Chips 4 Light does

Chips 4 Light GmbH is a specialized German optoelectronics distributor and development partner headquartered in Sinzing, Bavaria. Founded in 2010, the company distributes LED chips (bare dice), LED components in SMD and radial packages, laser diodes (chips, bars, TO housings, VCSELs), and photodetectors spanning wavelengths from deep UV at 260 nm through visible light to infrared beyond 1000 nm. It sources products from tier-one manufacturers including Cree LED and ams OSRAM and operates its own private-label brand, Light Avenue.

The company's revenue model combines hardware distribution with value-added technical services. Hardware sales of LED chips, LED components, laser diodes, and photodetectors form the core stream. This is augmented by professional services including LED chip qualification and sorting with documented wavelength, current, and optical power measurements, laser diode characterization with a tight 2 nm wavelength tolerance compared to a 20 nm industry standard, and climate-controlled long-term storage maintaining humidity below 1%. Custom LED module development, anchored by the Sevengine module co-developed with ESCATEC achieving 95% optical efficiency, extends the business into co-engineered specialty lighting solutions.

Chips 4 Light sells primarily to enterprise customers across medical technology and sensor technology (both primary), plus industrial lighting, automotive, consumer electronics, and general lighting. Its go-to-market combines specialized internal sales teams for LED components, laser components, and LED chips with a global distribution network spanning DACH, Italy, France, Belgium, Israel, the United States, Japan, and Korea, plus online platforms Meetoptics and DComponents (for Light Avenue in the USA). The company is ISO 9001 certified and led by Managing Director Dr. Wolfgang Huber; no revenue or funding figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Chips 4 Light

Legal name

Chips 4 Light GmbH

Website

https://chips4light.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

German optoelectronics specialist Chips 4 Light distributes LED chips, laser diodes, and photodetectors from Cree LED and ams OSRAM, while providing custom LED module development, chip qualification, laser characterization, and long-term dry storage to medical, sensor, industrial, and automotive customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optoelectronic Components Distribution

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344), Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Emitters (LED/Laser/VCSEL) (HDAHALAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Photodiodes & Discrete Photodetectors (HDAHAHAL), Optoelectronics & Photonics (LED/Laser/Optical ICs) (HDAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Optoelectronic component distribution
• LED chip supply
• Laser diode distribution
• Photodetector components
• Custom LED module development

Headquarters

HQ city

Sinzing

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. LED Chips Distribution: Distribution of bare LED dice from renowned manufacturers including Cree LED and ams OSRAM. Products span UV (260nm), visible (blue, green, yellow, red), and infrared (680-1900nm) wavelengths in various sizes from 100µm to 7mm.
2. LED Components: SMD and radial LED components including packages from compact designs to high-power modules for general lighting, automotive, medical, and industrial applications.
3. Laser Diodes: Laser chips, laser bars, and laser diodes including IR pulse laser diodes. TO housings (TO33, TO38, TO56, TO90), SMD, plastic, LCP, bar, and chip-on-submount packages. Solutions from 380nm UV to 1000nm infrared.
4. Photodetectors: Photodiodes and phototransistors, detector arrays, and photosensitive detectors for wavelengths 390-1500nm. Used in communication, metrology, medicine, image processing, and sensor technology applications.
5. Customized LED Module Development: Customer-specific LED module development including PCB design, thermal and optical simulation, assembly and connection technology for prototyping, and customized series production.
6. LED Chip Qualification Service: High-tech sorting and measurement of LED chips with complete characterization, optical inspection, and quality documentation. Sorting onto various carriers including frames, gel packs, and waffle packs.
7. Laser Diode Characterization Service: Specification and characterization of individual laser diodes according to wavelength and power on customer request. Measurement of TO housings under controlled temperature conditions.
8. Long-term Storage Service: Climate-controlled storage system with less than 1% humidity for permanent protection of LED chips. Residue-free storage in waffle packs ready for processing.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Chips 4 Light distributes optoelectronic semiconductor components including LED chips (bare dice), LED components (SMD and radial), laser diodes, and photodetectors spanning wavelengths from 260nm UV to 1900nm infrared. The company also offers specialized services (LED chip sorting, customized qualification, laser diode characterization, long-term dry storage) and develops custom LED modules including the Sevengine light engine co-developed with ESCATEC.

Product overview

Chips 4 Light is a specialized optoelectronics distributor and development partner offering a comprehensive portfolio of LED chips (bare dice), LED components (SMD and radial packages), laser diodes (chips, bars, TO housings, VCSELs), and photodetectors (photodiodes, phototransistors, arrays). The core products span wavelengths from deep UV (260 nm) through visible to infrared (>1000 nm). These are complemented by customized LED modules (Sevengine, Multi Chip RGBWY, 2x2, 5x5, Linear Array, QFN, Fiber Coupling modules) developed in partnership with ESCATEC. The product line is supported by add-on services including LED chip sorting, customized qualification, laser diode characterization, and long-term dry storage. The company operates two own brands: Chips 4 Light and Light Avenue, while also distributing ams OSRAM and Cree LED products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Light Avenue: The company's own brand offering a wide range of LED chips and LEDs. Ranging from ultraviolet (UV), blue, green and red to infrared in sizes from 8 to 80 mil. Products include white LED chips in cold, neutral and warm white.

Products and services

• LED Chips (Bare Dice) Bare LED semiconductor chips without substrate, encapsulation, or optics, distributed across the full wavelength spectrum from deep UV (260nm) through visible to infrared (>1000nm), in sizes from 100μm to 7mm. Includes white LED chips (2500-10000K), UV, blue, cyan, green, yellow, orange, red, hyper red, and IR variants for application developers in medical, sensor, and lighting industries.
• LED Components (SMD and Radial) LED components where chips are contacted on a carrier (ceramic, FR4, pre-molded leadframe) and encapsulated in packages. Available in SMD and radial form factors across all wavelengths and power classes (low power <0.2W, mid power 0.2-0.7W, high power >0.7W) for general lighting, automotive, medical, and industrial applications.
• Laser Diodes Semiconductor laser sources in various packages (TO38, TO56, TO90, SMD, plastic, LCP, bars, chips, chip on submount) covering UV (380-415nm), blue (435-460nm), cyan (480-496nm), green (510-530nm), red, and infrared (800-1000nm) wavelengths. Includes single-mode, multimode, and VCSEL variants for research, industrial, and specialty applications.
• Detectors (Photodiodes and Phototransistors) Photodetectors including photodiodes (PIN type, 390-1500nm spectral range), phototransistors (390-1100nm), detector arrays, and photosensitive detectors. Used in communication, metrology, medicine, image processing, and sensor technology applications.
• LED Modules Customized LED module solutions including Sevengine (high optical efficiency up to 95%, dual-channel tunable white), Multi Chip RGBWY Module (chip-on-board with integrated drivers and optics), 2x2 LED Module (individually controllable, AIN ceramics), 5x5 LED Module (high power, 40 mil chips), Linear Array (18 LEDs, up to 500 lm), QFN LED Module, and LED Module with Fiber Coupling. Applications span medical, sensor technology, industrial lighting, and specialty lighting.
• Sevengine LED Module High-performance LED light engine module developed jointly with ESCATEC. Features optical efficiency up to 95%, dimensions 26 x 32 x 10 mm, dual-channel tunable white (cold to warm), individually addressable LEDs, robust housing, waterproof option, array layout option, compatible with secondary lenses and drivers.
• Narrow Angle Laser Based Light Source Modular narrow-angle laser-based light source combining laser and LED technology. Green (515nm) and yellow (540nm) variants with peak luminous intensity up to 8000 cd, 4° and 8° viewing angles, 500-1000 lumen output, low etendue <0.2 mm²×sr. Applications include confocal microscopy, endoscopy, fluorescence microscopy, machine vision, projection, and hyperspectral imaging.
• Light Avenue Brand Products Light Avenue is Chips 4 Light's own brand offering a wide range of LED chips and LEDs from ultraviolet through infrared, in sizes from 8 to 80 mil. Products include wafer soldered technologies (InGaN, AlInGaP, AlGaAs), standard absorbing substrates, and volume emitting technologies. White LED chips available in cold, neutral, and warm white.
• LED Chip Sorting Service Customized sorting of LED dice in small to medium quantities. Sorting from foil to gel pack or waffle pack and vice versa, across all wavelengths from 260nm to 1900nm, in sizes from 100μm to 7mm, onto various carriers including frames, gel packs, and waffle packs.
• Customized LED Chip Qualification High-tech sorting, measurement, and special packaging of LED chips for research, industry, and medical technology. Includes complete characterization with individual measurement of wavelength, current, optical power, and voltage under controlled near-cleanroom conditions. Each chip is optically inspected and documented with mapping data.
• Characterization of Laser Diodes Measurement and specification of individual laser diodes (TO38 and TO56 packages) under controlled temperature conditions including wavelength, optical power, constant power measurement via external photodiode, CW and QCW (quasi-continuous wave/pulsed) measurements, and beam measurement with high-resolution camera for characterization of elliptical beam angles. Achieves 2nm wavelength tolerance, approximately ten times more precise than the 20nm industry standard.
• Long-term Storage of LED Chips Climate-controlled storage with humidity below 1% in dry storage cabinets. LED chips are repackaged from blue foil to waffle packs to prevent contamination and adhesive residue. Flexible on-demand retrieval for just-in-time production, ideal for long-term projects and series production with recurring call-off requirements.
• Customer-specific LED Development Full-cycle development service from project definition to validated samples for applications where standard LEDs are unsuitable. Includes PCB design, thermal and optical simulation, prototyping with in-house assembly and connection technology, and customized series production. Covers SMD metal frame LEDs, point source LEDs, ceramic LEDs, PLCC4 LEDs, metal can LEDs, and high flux LEDs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% optical efficiency achieved with Sevengine LED module
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ESCATECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESCATEC is a co-development partner for the Sevengine LED module. The collaboration combines ESCATEC's development expertise with Chips 4 Light's optoelectronic components to create a high-performance LED module featuring up to 95% optical efficiency, two-channel control tunable from cold to warm white, individually addressable LEDs, and robust housing options.
• MeetopticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMeetoptics is a centralized photonics platform with a highly customizable search engine designed specifically for researchers and optical engineers. The platform makes it easy to find, filter and compare optical components from suppliers around the world.
• MTG (MTG Group)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMTG Group serves as the distribution partner for LED chip business and customized solutions.
• Cree LEDmajorTechnology or IntegrationCree LED, a Smart Global Holdings company, delivers best-in-class technology and breakthrough solutions for high power general lighting, automotive, video screens and specialty lighting. They offer the industry's broadest portfolio of application-optimized LEDs. Chips 4 Light sources high quality LED chips from Cree LED.
• ams OSRAMmajorTechnology or Integrationams OSRAM Group is a global leader in optical solutions with around 24,000 employees focusing on innovation across sensing, illumination and visualization. The company has over 15,000 patents granted and applied. Chips 4 Light distributes ams OSRAM products.
• Light Avenue GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationLight Avenue GmbH is Chips 4 Light's own brand partner for customized LED developments. Light Avenue develops LED components and LED modules from simulation to production for Chips 4 Light and their customers.
• AMA Verband (Association for Sensor and Measurement)minorOthersAMA Association for Sensor and Measurement brings together companies dealing with sensing and measuring physical, chemical, climatic, or other parameters. The Association has technical competence of about 450 member enterprises and institutes in the sensor industry.
• bayern photonics e.V.minorOthersBayern photonics is a regional cluster that supports research institutes and companies from optical technologies with the aim of generating and developing regional cooperation inside the network.
• ivamminorOthersIVAM is an international microtechnology business network and technology marketing expert that connects professionals in high-tech industries and supports them in bringing innovative technologies and products to market.
• Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e. V. (SPS)minorOthersSPS is a partner and business network concerning sensor technology that concentrates businesses, developers, service providers, universities and research institutes.
• SOLiCOMP GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for DACH region and Italy. Located at Böhmerwaldstr. 42a, 82538 Geretsried, Germany. Phone: +49 (0)8171 99938-0.
• Taipro Engineering SAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for France and Belgium. Head office at Rue Bois Saint-Jean, 15/1, BE-4102 Seraing, Belgium. Phone: +32 43533010.
• Kedem TechnologiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Israel. Contact: Ari Mizrachi. Phone: +972-54-6888237. Website: www.kedem-tech.com
• Micro Technology Group, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Americas. Located at 450 Chauncy Street, Suite 3, Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048, USA. Phone: +001 508 654 1065.
• Lily International Co., LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Japan. Located at 420-10 Shimomitsuhashi, Yamatokoriyama-City, Nara-Pref, 639-1101, Japan. Phone: +81 743 52 0728.
• CoreRaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Korea. Located at 424 ho Doan The LIV SIGnature 43, Bogyongdong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea 34202. Phone: +82 42 825 7084. Website: www.coreray.kr
• MeetopticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline distributor for Europe & USA. Located at UPC Campus Nord, Espai Emprèn, C. Jordi Girona 1-3, C3 S1, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
• DComponents CorporationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline distributor for USA, exclusively for the Light Avenue brand. Located at 150 Dorset Street, Suite 245-251, South Burlington, VT 05403-6256, USA. Website: www.dcomponents.com

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Thorlabs Inc. Large US-headquartered photonics manufacturer and distributor with extensive LED, laser, and detector portfolio plus customization services — substantially larger scale but overlaps materially in laser diode characterization and OEM-focused optoelectronic sales.
• Excelitas Technologies Corp. Global photonics technology company supplying LEDs, laser diodes, detectors and custom optical subsystems — serves the same medical, industrial, and sensing OEMs as Chips 4 Light from a much larger manufacturing base.
• ams OSRAM AG: Global leader in optical solutions with ~24,000 employees and 15,000+ patents — supplies the LEDs and laser products Chips 4 Light distributes while also serving medical and industrial customers directly with fully integrated modules.
• Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. Global Japanese photonics manufacturer with broad optoelectronic component (LED, laser diode, photodetector) portfolio and custom module capabilities — operates as a far larger incumbent in the same end markets.

Direct peers

• Marktech Optoelectronics: US-based distributor and value-added manufacturer of LEDs, laser diodes, photodetectors and custom optoelectronic assemblies — directly comparable product portfolio with emphasis on custom LED module development.
• Laser Components GmbH: German manufacturer and distributor of laser components, photodiodes, and custom optoelectronic assemblies — competes head-on with Chips 4 Light in DACH-region specialty photonics distribution and custom module design services.
• AMS Technologies AG: European distributor specializing in thermal management, optoelectronic components, and custom solutions — same sales-led specialty-photonics model with custom engineering and module assembly capabilities that mirror Chips 4 Light's offerings.
• Acal BFi (Custom Systems): European specialty distributor of photonics, sensors and embedded systems with custom engineering services — closely comparable channel-led model serving medical, industrial, and sensor customers across European and global markets.
• Roithner Lasertechnik GmbH: Austrian specialist distributor of laser diodes, LEDs, photodetectors and optoelectronic components across UV to IR wavelengths — direct competitor in the European niche optoelectronics distribution space with similar product breadth and customer base.

Others

• First Sensor AG (now part of TE Connectivity): German-based photodiode and sensor manufacturer — adjacent competitor particularly in the photodetector and sensor-technology customer segment that Chips 4 Light serves, with product overlap on PIN photodiodes and detector arrays.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chips-4-light-gmbh

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Chips 4 Light