Reflecting on the First Half of 2025: A Letter from David Nyland, CEO, Lumine Group
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, I’m struck by how much we’ve accomplished in just six months. While the pace has been fast, it’s the depth and impact of our progress that stands out. From welcoming two new businesses into the Lumine portfolio, to hosting our largest-ever leadership conference, Illuminate, to unveiling a refreshed brand identity that reflects our evolution—we’ve made meaningful strides that aim to position us for long-term success.
We’ve broadened our global reach, deepened our industry expertise, and continued to invest in both our people and our companies. Strengthening our leadership bench, we promoted Tony Garcia to Chief Operating Officer and welcomed Mary Anne Lavallee as Chief Financial Officer, both bringing invaluable perspective to Lumine’s continued evolution. I’m incredibly grateful to every member of the Lumine team for your dedication, energy, and belief in our mission.
The year began with a new visual identity and website—our first brand update since launching Lumine in 2020. More than a design refresh, it marked a moment of reflection and realignment, setting the tone for what’s ahead.
Since then, we’ve entered new markets through acquisitions and new customer wins, elevated our presence at flagship industry events like Mobile World Congress, and convened our largest cohort of leaders at Illuminate. The brand evolution has not only signaled our progress—it’s helped accelerate it.
As we look ahead to the second half of the year, I’m energized by the momentum we’ve built and even more excited about what’s still to come.
Acquisition Updates: Growing Globally, Strengthening Our Expertise
Vidispine (Germany)
In January, we announced the acquisition of Vidispine from Arvato Systems, marking our first major acquisition in Germany and our 15th corporate carve-out. Vidispine provides broadcast management and media asset management solutions to global broadcasters, helping them streamline operations and maximize content potential. Their addition strengthens our Media Monetization portfolio and deepens our presence in the media software space.
Datafusion Systems (UAE)
In May, we entered into an agreement to acquire Datafusion Systems, our first acquisition in the UAE. With over 30 years of experience, Datafusion delivers secure communication and intelligence solutions to telecom operators, law enforcement, and government agencies. Datafusion expands our ecosystem’s capabilities in the signaling and security sector and reinforces our commitment to public safety and real-time intelligence. In early July, we officially closed the transaction and welcomed Datafusion into the Lumine portfolio.
Industry Events: Building Presence, Deepening Relationships
At Mobile World Congress, we debuted a Lumine Pavillion for portfolio companies—a first for us. This initiative allowed our companies to showcase their offerings while reinforcing the strength and stability of being part of Lumine. It was a powerful signal to customers: your business is strong, standalone, and supported. On a personal note, after more than a decade of attending the show—usually with just a badge and shoes unfit for the kilometers of walking—I was moved to see the Lumine logo lit up in Hall 2, surrounded by so many great companies and people. A real milestone moment.
A few weeks later, at NAB Show, we celebrated Vidispine’s entry into the portfolio alongside WideOrbit’s continued leadership in the media space. Our growing presence at these events reflects our ambition to lead in the communications and media software sectors.
Our People: Illuminate 2025
Illuminate 2025 was our largest leadership conference to date. This annual event brings together leaders from across the portfolio for a week of learning, connection, and inspiration. While we offer virtual learning and mentorship year-round, there’s no substitute for the energy and insight that comes from being together in person. Illuminate accelerates relationships, sparks new ideas, and reminds us of the power of our global network.
Read more here: [Link to Illuminate page]
Ecosystem Highlights
Our companies continue to innovate, win awards, and create impact in their markets. Here are just a few standout moments from recent ecosystem updates:
[Finalizing these top stories, will cross reference with what Carlos’ team is putting in their internal newsletter]
Embracing AI Thoughtfully and Securely
AI is no longer a buzzword at Lumine—it’s a core capability driving innovation across our ecosystem. We’ve adopted AI not just to boost efficiency, but to enhance how we build, support, and scale. From accelerating R&D and streamlining workflows, to transforming customer support, AI is helping our companies deliver faster, smarter outcomes.
We’ve taken a cautious, intentional approach: training teams on secure, responsible use and embedding AI into strategic exercises that challenge how we solve problems and create value. Already, we’re seeing results. Openwave launched an AI Smart Assistant that enables service providers to offer features like message summarization, real-time translation, and smart replies. Lifecycle Software has evolved their NEXUS® platform with support from Collab’s AI-powered omnichannel support.
These aren’t experiments—they’re operational tools delivering measurable impact. As we continue to invest in AI, we remain committed to a secure, value-driven approach that benefits both our companies and our customers.
What’s Next
There’s no slowing down at Lumine. We’re back on the ground at industry events, continuing to invest in our people through learning programs, and supporting our companies as they deliver mission-critical solutions to customers around the world.
If you’re curious about Lumine—whether you’re exploring a future with us for your business, your client, or as part of a carve-out—I’d love to connect. Here’s how you can reach us.
Thank you to all our teams for being part of this journey. I look forward to what we’ll accomplish together in the second half of 2025.
Onwards & upwards,
David Nyland
CEO, Lumine Group