Safe, Sustainable Light – Instantly.
Crucial Technology
When Canadian Astronaut Commander Chris Hadfield launches into space, there’s one piece of safety equipment he never leaves behind: glowsticks. In the event of a catastrophic power failure in the fragile, high-risk environment of a rocket, he needs a light source that is instant, reliable, and safe. Before take-off, he straps one to each arm of his suit—because backup light isn’t optional, it’s essential.
That same necessity applies across countless industries. From oil and gas rigs to defense operations, from search and rescue teams to fishing fleets and even live entertainment, glowsticks provide a critical layer of safety and convenience. But for decades, this indispensable tool has come at a cost: single-use plastics and toxic chemiluminescence.
A Bright Idea
Enter Canadian inventor and biologist Paige Whitehead. Inspired by the memory of swimming through bioluminescent waters that lit up with every stroke, she imagined a cleaner, more sustainable alternative. That spark became Lux Bio.
Lux Bio harnesses natural bioluminescence—the same enzyme that makes fireflies glow—to replace chemical glow sticks. Every year, billions of single-use light sticks are used worldwide, from festivals and events to marine, industrial, and defense applications. The cost? Massive waste, harmful chemicals, and emissions.
Lux Bio’s breakthrough solves that. By combining bioluminescence with biodegradable plastics, their light sticks cut 100% of the chemicals and plastic, and 90% of the emissions compared to traditional glow sticks. As the first product of its kind, Lux Bio’s innovation is already turning heads far beyond Canada’s borders—and they’re ready to take it global with the support of Export Navigator.
Chris Hadfield expressed “I think it’s going to be very cool when we have a Canadian astronaut on the moon, and inside their space suit is a Canadian made [planet-friendly] glow stick.”
Glowing Across the Globe
Lux Bio’s sustainable lighting technology quickly caught the eye of clients across Europe, Australia, and Asia. The global appetite was clear – but so were the barriers. Each market came with its own regulations, export requirements, and complex procurement processes. For a startup, that challenge was daunting.
That’s when Export Navigator stepped in. Export Advisor Jason Seed became a trusted guide, helping Lux Bio align with Canadian export frameworks and build the capacity to scale globally.
“Jason played a vital role in helping us navigate export systems and open doors we didn’t even know existed,” says Paige. “Grants I had never heard of, mentorship programs to help guide this next phase of development and opening doors to international business development services I had never heard of. It’s absolutely incredible the support we have received, and I know I will look back on this time as being absolutely critical in our journey of international expansion.”
The Future Is Bright
Lux Bio is redefining instant light: safe, sustainable, and reliable – without compromise. From the dance floor to defense, they deliver light when and where it’s needed, to the depths of the oceans to the darkness of space – all while protecting planet Earth. And with Export Navigator’s support, their light is spreading worldwide.
Learn more at www.luxbio.ca
