Nanoleaf
{{Multiple issues|
{{Advert|date=June 2022}}
{{Overly detailed|date=June 2022}}
{{Primary sources|date=June 2022}}
{{Undisclosed paid|date=June 2022}}
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{{Infobox company
| name = Nanoleaf
| image = Nanoleaf_logo.png
| type = Privately held
| founder = Gimmy Chu, Tom Rodinger, Christian Yan
| industry = Consumer electronics
| products = Smart Lighting & IoT Accessories
| num_employees = 50 - 100 employees
| website = {{Official URL}}
| foundation = 2012
| location_city = Toronto, Paris, and Shenzhen.
}}
Nanoleaf is a consumer electronics company specialising in LED lighting.{{cite web|title=Lighting a Revolution|url=http://www.magazine.utoronto.ca/leading-edge/lighting-a-revolution-nanoleaf-christian-yan-gimmy-chu-tom-rodinger/|work=University of Toronto Magazine|accessdate=26 March 2015}} The limited company was founded in 2012 by three engineers, and launched its first two products with crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter.{{cite web|title=Nanoleaf Bloom Dimming Bulbs Over $160,000 During Final Days on Kickstarter|url=http://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2014/09/48447-nanoleaf-bloom-dimming-bulbs-over-160000-during-final-days-on-kickstarter/|website=crowdfundinsider.com|date=3 September 2014|accessdate=31 March 2015}}
History
Nanoleaf was founded in 2012 by three friends and University of Toronto engineering graduates Gimmy Chu, Christian Yan, and Tom Rodinger.{{cite web|title=Light of a New Age|url=http://www.design-engineering.com/features/light-of-a-new-age-design-eng/|website=www.design-engineering.com|accessdate=26 March 2015}} They were each working in different industries after graduation while creating Nanoleaf on the side and after a year, the three quit their jobs to develop the company full-time. {{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
In January 2013, Nanoleaf launched their first product on Kickstarter.{{cite news|title=Toronto grads invent world's most energy-efficient bulb|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/02/01/toronto_grads_invent_worlds_most_energyefficient_light_bulb.html|work=Toronto Star|date=1 January 2015}} The crowdfunding campaign for NanoLight (later renamed Nanoleaf One) received $250,000 from the crowdfunding site, with an initial goal of $20,000. Following the success of this campaign, Nanoleaf received funding from Horizons Ventures, an investment company owned by Li Ka Shing,{{cite web|title=Li Ka-shing Heralds LEDs as Key to Future Economic Growth|url=http://www.ledinside.com/news/2014/3/li_ka_shing_heralds_leds_as_key_to_future_economic_growth|website=ledinside.com|accessdate=26 March 2015}} and Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins.{{cite web|title="Asia's richest philanthropist," major Silicon Valley firm invest in alumni's Nanoleaf light bulb|url=http://news.utoronto.ca/asia-richest-philanthropist-major-silicon-valley-firm-invest-alumni-nanoleaf-light-bulb|accessdate=26 March 2015}} The company also opened their first offices in Shenzhen, China, and Hong Kong.{{cite web|title=Hong Kong: Perfect Launchpad for Overseas Green Tech Startups|website=Forbes|accessdate=26 March 2015|url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/irisleung/2015/01/04/hong-kong-the-perfect-launchpad-for-overseas-green-tech-startups/}}
Their second Kickstarter campaign for the Nanoleaf Bloom in July 2014 generated $200,000 in funding with a goal of $20,000.{{cite web|title=Nanoleaf Bloom Smart Lightbulb – Needs no App – No Dimmer|url=http://mytechreport.com/nanoleaf-bloom-smart-lightbulb-needs-app-dimmer/|publisher=My Tech Report|accessdate=21 February 2015}}
Nanoleaf opened their Headquarters in Toronto, Canada, in January 2015. In 2017, the company launched in Europe and Australia. Their European office opened in Paris, France, in April 2018.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
=Technology=
Nanoleaf uses LED lighting technology that encourages energy efficiency.{{Cite web |last=Karcz |first=Anthony |title=Nanoleaf Is Giving You Even More Smart Light Options |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2023/10/21/nanoleaf-is-giving-you-even-more-smart-light-options/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Brianna |date=2013-02-06 |title=Alumni launch "world's most energy-efficient light bulb" |url=https://www.utoronto.ca/news/fiat-lux-alumni-launch-nanolight |accessdate=2024-07-26}}{{cite web|title=Hong Kong start-up Nanoleaf has created the world's most energy-efficient light bulb|accessdate=26 March 2015|url = http://hkmb.hktdc.com/en/1X0A1A42/venture-hong-kong/Switched-On}}{{how|date=June 2022}}
The company's initial product lineup included lightbulbs composed of small LEDs mounted on a folded circuit board, featuring an origami-like design. This technology eliminates the requirement for a heat sink, keeping the bulb cool to the touch, while also reducing the amount of energy required for manufacturing and extending its potential lifespan.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
Nanoleaf introduced a new lighting technology with its smart modular light panels, first revealed at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show.{{Cite news |date=2016-01-08 |title=The Smart LED Nanoleaf Aurora at CES 2016 - Design Milk |language=en-US |newspaper=Design Milk |url=http://design-milk.com/nanoleaf-aurora-lighting-system-flat-smart-app-connected/ |access-date=2016-12-06}} The light panels, part of the company's 'Smarter Series' of products, have smart capabilities (via WiFi) including app and voice commands, music sync and touch controls. The light panels are made with LED chips on a printed circuit board and feature a diffuser on a flat surface.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
In 2020, the Essentials line of smart Bulbs & Lightstrips launched and were Nanoleaf's first products using the Thread (network protocol), developed as a faster and more secure network connection for smart home products.{{Cite web |title=Nanoleaf launches Apple-exclusive Essentials smart lights with HomeKit & Thread |url=https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/11/11/nanoleaf-launches-apple-exclusive-essentials-smart-lights-with-homekit-thread |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=AppleInsider |language=en}} More recently, they announced a series of Bulbs & Lightstrips to the Essentials line that will work with Matter technology.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-03 |title=Nanoleaf's new smart lights are the first specifically designed for Matter |url=https://www.the-ambient.com/news/nanoleaf-matter-compatible-bulbs-lights-strip-announcement-release-date-2970 |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=The Ambient |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Editor |first=Home Tech |title=Nanoleaf is Matter-ready with its new Essentials lights |url=https://www.techadvisor.com/article/1369089/nanoleaf-matter-ready-new-essentials-lights.html |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=Tech Advisor |language=en}} Matter is a smart home protocol aimed at unifying the different connected devices in your home for easier setup and daily use.{{Cite magazine |last=Hill |first=Simon |title=Here's What the 'Matter' Smart Home Standard Is All About |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-matter/ |access-date=2023-01-16 |issn=1059-1028}}
Philanthropy
= Masks =
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 Nanoleaf pivoted their focus to creating and distributing masks to frontline workers to supplement the PPE shortage.{{Cite web|date=2020-04-01|title=Engineering alumni startup Nanoleaf to source more than one million masks amid COVID-19 shortages|url=https://news.engineering.utoronto.ca/engineering-alumni-startup-nanoleaf-to-source-more-than-one-million-masks-amid-covid-19-shortages/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=U of T Engineering News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=June 16, 2020|first=Barry|last=Chong|title=This startup employee went from marketing lights to sourcing PPE for front-liners|url=https://www.marsdd.com/magazine/this-startup-employee-went-from-marketing-lights-to-sourcing-ppe-for-front-liners-covid-19/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=MaRS Discovery District|language=en-CA}} In total, they were able to donate over 600,000 masks to frontline workers and provide one million at a cost to other organizations in need.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
= Charitable organizations =
In December 2020, Nanoleaf collaborated with KultureCity,{{Cite web|title=KultureCity - Making the nevers possible|url=https://www.kulturecity.org/|access-date=2021-02-05|website=KultureCity|language=en-US}} a charitable organization that focuses on serving individuals with sensory needs, to create sensory rooms in public venues. These spaces are intended to serve as decompression areas for people with autism, PTSD, and other sensory sensitivities and needs. Nanoleaf provided the organization with their Canvas light panels, which were installed in the spaces to create soothing environments with gentle colors and light.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-11|title=KultureCity and Georgia Aquarium Debut New Wilkins Rhodes Sensory|url=https://southatlantamoms.com/kulturecity-and-georgia-aquarium-debut-new-wilkins-rhodes-sensory/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=South Atlanta Moms|language=en-US}} The first installation was built at the Georgia Aquarium, and both Nanoleaf and KultureCity have committed to creating additional rooms across the United States.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}
References
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