Retail giant’s venture capital arm snaps up stake in Scottish LED lighting start-up for undisclosed sum.

IKEA has continued its push into the clean-tech market with an investment in an innovative Scottish start-up specialising in ultra-efficient LED lighting technologies. The retail giant’s venture capital arm, IKEA GreenTech, announced today that it has invested in Design LED Products Ltd, which focuses on the development of LEDs embedded in clear resins and films, known as “light tiles”.

The tiles are unique as they are extremely thin, flexible and low cost and can be seamlessly joined together in exciting new designs,

IKEA said in a statement.

A spokesman for IKEA confirmed that financial details of the deal were not being disclosed, but he did reveal that the investment was made as part of a round alongside previous investors in Design LED Products, including Scottish Enterprise and investment groups Strathtay Ventures, Tricap Ventures, and Highland Ventures.

Christian Ehrenborg, managing director of IKEA GreenTech AB, said the investment fitted with the company’s strategy of supporting clean technologies that can appeal to a consumer audience.

This technology opens up fantastic possibilities for innovative designs using energy-efficient LEDs,

he said in a statement.

The partnership is a clear strategic fit for IKEA and our goal to make living sustainably affordable and attractive for millions of people.