Ravinia Capital Launches Global Search for Buyer of LVX SYSTEMS’ LiFi/VLC Patent Portfolio
Image credit to Ravinia Capital LLC
LVX Systems' extensive LiFi patent portfolio, comprising over 65 assets, is now up for sale in a bankruptcy auction that has industry insiders buzzing.
Light Internet
LVX Systems built what many consider the foundational patent portfolio for the entire Visible Light Communications (VLC) and LiFi industry. These patents cover bi-directional visible light communication technology, the ability to both send and receive data through LED lighting systems. This intellectual property created such a strong competitive barrier in the U.S. market that even major players like Philips (Signify) and France's Lucibel, who successfully piloted LiFi systems in Europe, found American commercialisation challenging.
Perfect Timing: Industry Standardisation Meets Market Opportunity
The auction arrives at a pivotal moment for LiFi technology. In 2023, the IEEE ratified the 802.11bb LiFi standard, backed by 23 major technology companies through the Light Communications Alliance. This standardisation is accelerating industry adoption and attracting attention from some of the world's most influential tech companies.
Apple has reportedly explored incorporating LiFi capabilities into future iPhone models. NASA took the technology even further, partnering with LVX to test LiFi for secure spacecraft communications, including potential applications for Mars missions. These high-profile experiments signal that LiFi has moved beyond proof-of-concept into serious commercial consideration.
A Rare Acquisition Opportunity
Ravinia Capital, the investment bank managing the sale, has brought in Ocean Tomo, a leading intellectual property advisory firm and part of J.S. Held, to provide technical analysis. The goal is to secure a "stalking horse" bidder within the next three weeks, establishing a baseline bid before the auction commences in early December 2025.
"These pioneering patents represent the very foundation of LiFi innovation," said David Fraser, Senior Director at Ocean Tomo. "Anyone looking to enter or grow in the LiFi field can benefit from this IP."
The potential buyer pool is diverse and global. Telecommunications giants could integrate LiFi into their service offerings. Startups could leapfrog into market leadership positions. Lighting industry leaders could transform their products from simple illumination devices into sophisticated data hubs. Device manufacturers could embed LiFi into next-generation smartphones, laptops, and IoT devices. Even defense contractors, given LiFi's inherent security advantages, have reason to consider the portfolio.
The Competitive Edge
Acquiring LVX's patent portfolio offers more than just intellectual property, it provides freedom to operate in a space where IP barriers have historically been prohibitive. Companies that secure these assets can immediately position themselves as LiFi technology leaders, holding the keys to an entire ecosystem of innovation.
For organizations already developing wireless technologies, smart lighting systems, or secure communication networks, this auction represents a strategic inflection point. The question isn't whether LiFi will become commercially significant, the IEEE standardisation and major tech company interest have largely answered that. The question is who will control the foundational technology as the market expands.
Confidential bid discussions are already underway. With the auction scheduled for early December 2025, interested parties have a narrow window to evaluate the portfolio and determine their strategic position in what could become a transformative wireless technology market.
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Ravinia Capital LLC
