Most modern electronics, from flat-screen TVs and smartphones to wearable technologies and computer monitors, use tiny light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. These LEDs are based off of semiconductors that emit light with the movement of electrons. As devices get smaller and faster, there is more demand for such semiconductors that are tinier, stronger and more energy efficient.

Visitors to Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport may notice the bright, clean lighting that now blankets the cavernous interior, courtesy of 171 recently installed LED fixtures. But they probably will not realize that the light fixtures are the backbone of a system that is watching them.

Caribbean islands that pay some of the highest electricity prices in the world are in line for more than $1bn of green energy loans to reduce bills following an agreement between governments, companies, energy experts and financiers.

The rise of LED technology will transform every part of the commercial lighting industry," said Jesse Foote, an analyst at Navigant. "While other lighting technologies have limited potential for future improvements, new designs for LEDs that push quality and efficacy to new levels continue to emerge from lighting labs around the world."

The global lighting market is approximately $100 billion. While the overall market is growing modestly (around 5 percent per year) the market for LEDs is growing rapidly. Prices for LEDs have similarly come down significantly over the past few years – prices have declined at about 15 percent per year.

Fund Balance sees excellent opportunities in the private equity, early stage space LED manufacturers.

For those unfamiliar with this category of investing, we’ve put together an infographic that highlights the impact investing industry, its current and foreseeable growth, and its various successes in recent years.

LAS VEGAS – To see the brightest new ideas at this year’s biggest consumer technology tradeshow, look no further than the light bulbs.

One of the reasons behind LED lighting products lowered costs and stabilization has been LED driver IC results in 2013.

"I see a rising wave of social entrepreneurship to follow the wave of business entrepreneurs."