David Levine and Michael Recker were tired of the same old lighting fixtures: the kind with tangles of wires and a complicated installation process that required an electrician. So, they set out to create a simpler, more cost-effective solution: bright, efficient, wireless lighting that could be easily installed anywhere.

 

The Solution

Wireless Environment launched in late 2006, offering battery-operated, motion-sensing LED lights that could be installed by anyone in mere minutes. Their products began with closets in mind but quickly expanded to meet the demands of a rapidly growing customer base. Turns out, David and Michael weren’t the only ones searching for more convenient lighting fixtures.

 

THE FUEL

JumpStart supported Wireless Environment with an early influx of capital from the JumpStart Evergreen Fund. They also provided guidance and resources in a number of other areas—from building a business plan and creating a Board of Directors, to obtaining 36 patents that helped protect intellectual property and market share as the company grew to more than $25M in revenue.

 

“More important than the funding has been the tremendous breadth of resources that JumpStart has provided every step of the way.”

– David Levine, CEO, Wireless Environment

 

THE IMPACT

Since its inception, Wireless Environment has spent four years on the Inc. 5000 list and has been named twice to the Crain’s Cleveland Business list of the 52 Fastest-Growing Companies in the region. Wireless Environment has gone from selling products in a single small hardware store to become a featured brand in retailers such as Target, Lowe’s and Home Depot. The company’s products are consistent best sellers on Amazon and have been declared “the best way to light a closet” by The Wall Street Journal. As a result, the company doubled in employee size over the last year (from 15 to 30).

 

THE FUTURE

Wireless Environment opened up 2018 with a deal to be acquired by Ring, the leader in home security. Announced at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, this deal will position the company as an independent division with Ring—allowing them to continue growing their products and their team in Northeast Ohio.