we are light GmbH

What we are light GmbH does

we are light GmbH is a Hamburg-based lighting design consultancy specializing in architectural lighting for cruise ship newbuilds and refits, with a secondary practice in land-based projects such as hotels, restaurants, and offices. Founded in 2017 and operating as a privately held German GmbH, the firm is led by Managing Director Vincent Krohn, with Project Partner Thomas Hetzel, and runs a small specialist team (1-10 employees). Its service offering spans concept development, ship/project specification, on-site light measurements, lighting simulations to international standards, detailed design and custom luminaire specifications, mock-up collaboration, construction supervision, and final fine-tuning of lighting scenes on board.

The company's technology centers on custom lighting engineering for maritime environments, including vibration-dampening, seawater-resistant fixtures, multi-level RGB control systems with daypart programming, and large-scale custom chandeliers (exemplified by the award-winning Norwegian Bliss atrium chandelier with 220,000 individual glass crystals). It collaborates with a deep ecosystem of interior design firms (Tillberg Design of Sweden, Studio DADO, RTKL/CallisonRTKL), crystal and luminaire manufacturers (Preciosa, Chelsom, Cristalex, BluLeu), and LED technology providers (Traxon). Revenue is generated through project-based professional services engagements with cruise line owners and operators on a direct enterprise basis, with pricing not publicly disclosed and contracts typically scoped to full newbuild or refit programs.

Name

we are light GmbH

Legal name

we are light GmbH

Website

https://weare-light.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

we are light GmbH is a Hamburg-based lighting design consultancy specializing in custom architectural lighting for cruise ship newbuilds, refits, and select land-based projects, serving major luxury cruise lines through end-to-end design services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Lighting Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting Design Services (BPAHAKAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electrical Engineering & Power Distribution (Generation, Switchboards, Cabling, Lighting) (IMAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Architectural lighting design
• Cruise ship lighting
• Maritime lighting consultancy
• Custom chandelier design
• Lighting simulation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg, Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lighting design consultancy services: Project-based professional services for cruise ship newbuilds and refits as well as land-based architectural projects. Services include concept development, technical drawings, lighting simulations, custom luminaire specifications, construction supervision, and on-site fine-tuning. Revenue generated through direct client engagements with cruise ship owners and operators.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

we are light GmbH provides full-scope architectural lighting design services for cruise ship newbuilds and conversions, as well as land-based projects such as hotels, restaurants, offices, and kindergartens. Services span the entire project lifecycle, from initial consultation, concept development, and on-site light measurement, through international-standard lighting simulations, technical drawings, custom luminaire specification, and construction supervision, to final on-site fine-tuning of lighting scenes. The firm is recognized for custom chandelier engineering with crystal manufacturers and maritime-specific expertise including vibration dampening and seawater resistance.

Product overview

we are light GmbH is a Hamburg-based lighting design consultancy specializing in architectural lighting design. The company operates three interconnected service lines: Lighting Design for Cruise Ship Newbuilds (covering all planning and construction phases from concept through simulation to completion), Lighting Design for Cruise Ship Conversions (including on-board inspection, light measurements, and technology upgrades), and Lighting Design for Land-Based Projects (encompassing hotels, restaurants, offices, and kindergartens). All services follow a structured process: lighting design consultation, ship/project specification, on-site light measurements, concept presentation, lighting simulations per international standards, detailed design and custom luminaires, collaboration with mock-ups, construction supervision, and final fine-tuning of lighting scenes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lighting Design for Cruise Ship Newbuilds Comprehensive lighting design service covering all planning and construction phases of new cruise ships, from ship specification consultation, concept development, technical drawings, and lighting simulations per international standards, through to construction supervision and final fine-tuning of lighting scenes. Targeted at cruise ship owners, operators, shipyards, and interior design firms.
• Lighting Design for Cruise Ship Conversions Lighting design service for refit and modernization of existing cruise ships, including on-board inspection, light measurements, atmosphere improvement assessments, and integration of the latest lighting technology according to new design specifications. Targeted at cruise operators undertaking ship renovation programs.
• Lighting Design for Land-Based Projects Lighting design services for terrestrial projects including hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and kindergartens, with full-service offerings covering all planning and construction phases for both new buildings and refurbishments. Targeted at hospitality, commercial, and institutional property developers and architects.

Quantifiable outcome

• CSI Award 2020 – Best Lighting for Norwegian Bliss Atrium Chandelier
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tillberg Design of SwedencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term strategic partner for cruise ship interior design. Collaborates on all major aspects of cruise ship lighting design including custom chandeliers, overall lighting concepts, and integrated lighting systems. Multiple joint projects including Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Regent Seven Seas Explorer, and others.
• PreciosacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech crystal chandelier manufacturer and lighting partner. Collaborated on custom crystal chandelier development including the Norwegian Bliss atrium chandelier with 220,000 individual crystals. Partner at industry events including Monaco Yacht Show.
• Marc Nelson LichtdesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Zaha Hadid Architects exhibition lighting design project in Hamburg. Marc Nelson provided additional lighting design expertise for the Parametric Tower Research Exhibition.
• Studio DADOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design firm collaborating on multiple cruise ship projects including Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Encore, Regent Seven Seas Splendor. Responsible for architecture and interior design elements where we are light provides lighting design.
• RTKL (now CallisonRTKL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture and design firm partner on cruise ship projects including Norwegian Bliss and Regent Seven Seas Explorer. Collaborated on Asian restaurant Pacific Rim and other public areas.
• ICRAVEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design firm that collaborated on Regent Seven Seas Explorer newbuild project.
• SMC DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design firm collaborating on cruise ship newbuilds including Norwegian Prima class and Norwegian Spirit refurbishment.
• YSA DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design firm partner on Regent Seven Seas Splendor project.
• ChelsomcoreTechnology or IntegrationLuminaire manufacturer providing custom chandeliers and lighting fixtures for cruise ship projects including Regent Seven Seas Explorer Asian Restaurant and Norwegian Bliss Social Comedy Club.
• TraxoncoreTechnology or IntegrationLED lighting technology provider for media installations including go-kart track media tubes on Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore with content-responsive lighting.
• CristalexcoreTechnology or IntegrationLuminaire manufacturer providing custom lighting fixtures for cruise ship projects including Norwegian Bliss Manhattan Dining and spa areas.
• BluLeucoreTechnology or IntegrationLED luminaire manufacturer providing RGBW light columns and custom fixtures for pool areas on Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Encore Haven Courtyard.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Light Bureau: European lighting design consultancy with architectural and urban projects; comparable process-based boutique practice but with broader geographic and sector reach. Partial overlap in target customer base (high-end architecture, hospitality).
• Tillberg Design of Sweden: Leading cruise ship interior design firm and long-term strategic partner of we are light. While a partner (not direct competitor), Tillberg could vertically integrate lighting design capability, making it both a key demand source and a potential substitute.
• Studio DADO: US-based cruise ship interior design firm collaborating with we are light on Norwegian Bliss, Encore, and Regent Splendor. Partner today but represents an emerging substitute as cruise-focused interior designers expand capabilities.

Direct peers

• notholt lighting design: German lighting design consultancy founded by Andreas Notholt; founder Vincent Krohn worked at notholt lighting design on Hapag Lloyd MS Europa 2 and Regent Seven Seas Explorer before founding we are light. Direct competitor in maritime and architectural lighting design, same process-based end-to-end service model.
• Licht Kunst Licht AG: German architectural lighting design consultancy (Bonn) with international project portfolio across museums, offices, hotels, and public buildings. Comparable specialist lighting design services business with project-based fees and similar scope to we are light's land-based work.
• Bartenbach GmbH: Austrian/German lighting design research and consultancy with strong architectural lighting practice. Comparable boutique-style lighting design firm serving high-end architectural projects with a process and simulation-driven methodology similar to we are light.
• Marc Nelson Lichtdesign: German lighting design consultancy partnered with we are light on the Zaha Hadid Architects Parametric Tower Research Exhibition. Comparable boutique practice offering architectural lighting design services in Germany.
• a.g Licht: German architectural lighting design firm providing concept, simulation, and execution services for high-end architectural projects. Comparable boutique service offering and German market positioning.

Others

• CallisonRTKL: Global architecture and design firm (formerly RTKL), partner on Norwegian Bliss and Regent Seven Seas Explorer cruise ship projects. Not a direct competitor but architectural design ecosystem player that influences lighting design sourcing decisions.
• Preciosa Lighting: Czech crystal chandelier manufacturer and core technology partner of we are light (Norwegian Bliss atrium chandelier with 220,000 crystals). Not a competitor but adjacent enabler that co-develops custom chandelier products; potential substitute if it absorbed more design scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weare-lightgmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 we are light GmbH