Lumexis
Lumexis - The Future of IFE.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
$15.0m | Late VC | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Lumexis Corporation, established in 2003 and based in Irvine, California, operated in the in-flight entertainment (IFE) hardware and technology sector. The company was co-founded by Doug Cline, Rich Salter, and Greg Petrisor. The founders brought extensive experience from the aviation electronics industry; Cline had a long career in developing and manufacturing aviation electronics, Salter co-founded Airshow Inc., and Petrisor was the architect of the company's core technology. Lumexis focused on providing advanced, lightweight IFE systems to commercial airlines.
The company's primary business was the development, manufacturing, and marketing of its proprietary in-flight entertainment systems, targeting airlines as its main clientele. A key product was the Fiber-to-the-Screen® (FTTS®) system, which utilized a fiber-optic network to deliver high-bandwidth audio-visual on-demand (AVOD) content to seatback screens. This system was significantly lighter than traditional copper-wired solutions, offering airlines fuel savings and lower operational costs. The FTTS system was also designed to be "future-proof," allowing for easier upgrades without needing to rewire the aircraft. Another offering was the iPAX™, a wireless seat-back system designed as a low-cost solution for single-aisle aircraft, providing HD entertainment and ancillary revenue opportunities through onboard retail.
A notable achievement for Lumexis was the first test flight of its FTTS system on a US Airways Airbus A320 in 2009, marking the first time a fiber-optic network delivered IFE to seatback screens. The system gained traction with customers like flydubai, Lion Group, and Caribbean Airlines. However, the company faced significant challenges in a market dominated by larger players like Panasonic and Thales. In June 2016, Lumexis announced it was suspending most of its business operations and terminating the majority of its personnel due to liquidity constraints, subsequently seeking an acquirer for its assets.
Keywords: Lumexis, in-flight entertainment, IFE, Fiber-to-the-Screen, FTTS, iPAX, aviation electronics, AVOD, aircraft systems, fiber optic network, airline technology, seatback entertainment, flydubai, Doug Cline, Rich Salter, Greg Petrisor, airborne entertainment, passenger experience, ancillary revenue, lightweight IFE