Light-emitting diodes, better known as LEDs, have risen in popularity because of their longevity and energy efficiency. LED lighting solutions company, HitLights, run by former LSU students, creates products that serve as more than a way to light up a room.
Bin Yu, founder of HitLights, began selling LED lit t-shirts and shoes while studying forestry science at LSU. As the business began to grow, HitLights joined the LSU Student Incubator in 2010 because Yu wanted to further expand his business.
Five years later, HitLights has sent its products all over the world to be used in photo shoots, LED signs, ceiling lighting and laser tag. Caleb Brown, the marketing coordinator for HitLights, said the company truly began in 2011, by selling LED strip lights.
The company gives back to LSU by offering internships through the E.J. Ourso College of Business. Interns research marketing and sales techniques to better serve the company as well as looking into other products.
The marketing side of the company operates through the office in the Student Incubator while the creation of the products takes place overseas through a partnership.
“You’re learning something new everyday here,” Brown said. “It’s exciting to get to learn and grow as the company grows. We’re building something and watching the results.”
As the company grows, Brown said HitLights looks to make smarter products that can be easily integrated into everyday life. If a product fails to have a practical use, HitLights would most likely not make it as it goes against the company’s goals, he said.
There are currently 11 employees on the HitLights staff who have a secondary goal of evolving the way people look at lighting and its importance. This is represented in the company’s motto, “Think beyond the bulb.” Brown said lights are a method of communication and human interaction.
By thinking about the usefulness of lights and their purpose, HitLights has been able to create original products such as its Game Day Lights, as well as accessories such as amplifiers and mounting equipment.
Jason Ruiz, director of operations for HitLights, said the Game Day Lights are an example of what separates the company from other lighting retailers.
“Basically, the strips display two colors of light instead of the usual one,” Brown said. “The colors can be changed through a remote we developed. So one day the lights can be purple and gold for an LSU event and another two colors the next.”
Because the Game Day Lights cater to tailgaters and sports fans, Ruiz said he considers HitLights a company that focuses on lifestyles instead of products.
HitLights sells about 30,000 units per month, Ruiz said. Depending on the length of the LED light strip, there are 150-600 LED bulbs in each strip.
In the future, Ruiz said HitLights would like to get into domestic lighting.
“In five years, we would like people to pick up a lightbulb and think about how they’re lighting their homes,” Brown said. “We’re looking into home automation to help people think about how they conserve energy.”

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Nicholas Martino

HitLights engineered an affordable, wireless LED light system which can be controlled and customized by a remote, on Tuesday Oct. 27, 2015, at Innovations Park.