Applied Ventures, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials and a leading corporate venture firm, announced today that it has participated in a Series B financing round for RayVio Corporation, an advanced UV LED solutions company developing proprietary semiconductor-based technology for manufacturing solid state ultraviolet (SSUV) LED products and applications. RayVio's patented technology is intended to enable large-scale adoption of UV LEDs for the industrial, digital health and consumer sectors, with a variety of applications to benefit society.

HC Semitek projected it will be incurring heavy losses from January 1 to March 31, according to a Chinese media Securities Time report.

Chinese startup Lattice Power has emerged as an unexpected bidder in the auction of Philips lighting component business, reported Reuters.

Nitride Solutions a developer and manufacturer of advanced nitride substrates for LEDs, lasers, and power electronics—announced today that it has successfully closed US $3 million in new funding as Hansol Chemical, Greenpoint Global Mittelstand Fund, and Silicon Pastures Angel Investment Network joined the company’s investor group. Funds will be used to expand production of the company’s aluminum nitride substrate offerings, as well as to accelerate market introduction of its high-performance thermal management coatings.

LED Source, North America’s leading LED lighting solutions provider, has made a name for itself as an industry leader by providing products and solutions that represent the latest in LED technology. Celebrating a decade in business, the company Entrepreneur Magazine rated as one of the top new franchises on its 2015 New Franchise list is now leveraging multiple partnerships with leading lighting companies like Philips and Ketra to expand its contributions to commercial LED lighting.

According to a TrendForce photovoltaic analyst’s understanding, financially struggling Sharp might not be withdrawing from the solar business after all.

As the lighting industry transits from traditional light sources to LEDs, Osram Licht, the world’s second largest lighting company, has responded by shifting its focus on service and maintenance business to maintain steady revenue growth, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

RayVio today announced that it has emerged from stealth mode and raised US $9.3 million in Series B funding, with new investors including Applied Ventures, Augment Ventures, New Ground Ventures and Tolero Ventures. Existing investors DCM Ventures and Capricorn Investment Group also contributed to the round. The capital will be used to accelerate RayVio's go-to-market strategy, grow its team, and enable mass adoption of UV LED solutions in the industrial, commercial and consumer sectors.

Gobal LED manufacturer Lighting Science Group Corporation announces the appointment today of Pete Rumsey as Executive Vice President of Business Development. Rumsey brings over two decades of proven commercial, marketing and operational experience to his new role. Reporting directly to Lighting Science CEO Ed Bednarcik, Pete will be working with the executive team to direct the company’s commercial business development ventures and bring Lighting Science’s innovative LED product assortment to the forefront of the global commercial market.

Lextar today announced its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2014 financial report.

Leading Taiwanese LED manufacturers Epistar and Everlight reported declining revenues in February 2015, according to a report from CNA.

GaN Systems, a leading developer of gallium nitride power switching semiconductors, has announced the signing of a distribution deal with Seoul-based global group Websolus. Listed on the Korea New Exchange (KONEX), with 13 Branch Offices in Korea, China, & Thailand, Websolus specialises in three major business sectors: IT Consulting & Systems Integration for Power Grid, Water & Energy systems solutions for Global Infrastructure, and Procurement & Distribution for Electronic Components. \

Apple has recently sent out e-mail invitations to reporters and others to attend it’s “Spring Forward” media event, which is scheduled to take place on March 9, 2015 Pacific Time, according to a caijing.com report.

Universal Display Corporation, enabling energy-efficient displays and lighting with its UniversalPHOLED® technology and materials,announced today that Rosemarie B. Greco has been named to the Company's Board of Directors. Ms. Greco brings to Universal Display a wealth of experience in building and managing successful organizations, including demonstrated success in executive leadership, director-level governance, building high value partnerships, and advancing projects from vision to execution.

BYD Group’s lighting business saw considerable growth last year, despite the group’s reported revenue decline, according to a cnledw report.

Terralux, Inc announces that EnerTech Capital, a leading energy technology venture capital firm, led an $11 million growth investment in the company. Joining EnerTech in this round are investors Generation Investment Management, Crawley Ventures, Emerald Technology Ventures, GC&H Investments, and Founder & CTO, Dr. Anthony Catalano.

Struggling Japanese electronic manufacturer Sharp will be shutting down its Mihara Electronic Component Plant, according to a latest Chinese-language Nikkei report.

Olaf Berlien, Chief Executive Officer of Osram Licht AG, has taken the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) as an opportunity to announce the promotion of new technologies and innovations. “We will drive new technologies and innovations by using selective incentives and investments,” Berlien told shareholders on Thursday. “I have dedicated a further EUR 10 million from the Managing Board’s budget to fund projects like Lightify,” he said. Osram's Lightify system was recently launched on the market and enables wireless control of all the features light has to offer.

Leading U.S. LED luminaire manufacturer TCP International’s (TCP) stock ratings have taken a blow following a complaint filed against the company and CEO by its general counsel Laura Hauser.

Chinese LED manufacturer MLS has become China’s second most valuable listed LED company within a week. The company’s shares have soared on the Chinese bourse for five consecutive days since Feb. 27, 2015 bringing its total market value to RMB 20.15 billion (US $3.21 billion).

Universal Display Corporation, enabling energy-efficient displays and lighting with its UniversalPHOLED® technology and materials, today announced its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.

Taiwanese LED manufacturer Unity Opto’s LED lighting order visibility has reached five months, according to a China Times report.

Philips outlined its intention of offering an initial public offering (IPO) for its lighting business in a recent annual shareholders agenda press release.

Affected by the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday season, Taiwanese LED manufacturer Everlight’s revenue in February dipped slightly. However, with workdays returning to norm in March, the company expects revenues to rebound, according to a MoneyDJ report.

Orion Energy Systems, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, today announced the completion of an underwritten public offering of 5,462,500 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $3.50 per share. The offering includes the exercise in full of the underwriter’s over-allotment option to purchase an additional 712,500 shares of common stock. The net proceeds to the Company from this offering were approximately $17.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and other estimated offering expenses.

Chinese LED luminaire manufacturer Opple Lighting has been expanding its presence in India’s retail market with customized ‘Made for India’ LED products in South India, according to a report by Indian media BusinessLine.

LED Engin, a leader in high flux density LED products, announces a global distribution agreement with Digi-Key, the industry leader in electronic component selection, availability, and delivery. From today, LED Engin’s LuxiGen™ emitters and secondary lenses are available through Digi-Key’s global websites. With over 500,000 customers, Digi-Key is one of the most popular online destinations for electronic component purchases.

Epistar’s epiwafer utilization rates are expected to rise to at least 70% in March, according to several Taiwanese media reports.

Effective start 2015, Jes Munk Hansen is heading OSRAM’s Classic Lamps & Ballasts (CLB) business unit, taking on this assignment alongside his duties as CEO of the Region Americas.

LED Source, a franchisor of LED lighting products, announces the introduction of new Chief Operating Officer Sanford (Sandy) Lechner, CFE. Bringing years of experience working within the franchise community, Lechner is joining the company recently named on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies, its fourth consecutive year on the list.