RealD

About RealD

In 2003, Michael V. Lewis and Joshua Greer founded RealD with the goal of revolutionizing the cinema experience through premium 3D technology. The company's strategy involved not just developing new tech, but also acquiring key players. In 2005, they purchased StereoGraphics, a major provider of 3D technologies, followed by the optical tech company ColorLink in 2007. This consolidation of expertise and patents laid the groundwork for the RealD Cinema System. The turning point came with Hollywood's growing fascination with 3D. While Disney's *Chicken Little* in 2005 was an early test on about 100 RealD screens, the massive success of *Avatar* in 2009, shown on over 4,200 RealD-enabled screens, solidified the company's market position. This momentum led to a significant corporate milestone: in July 2010, RealD went public on the New York Stock Exchange, raising approximately $230 million in its initial public offering. Despite its technological leadership and widespread adoption in theaters, the company faced financial pressures. After navigating the public market for several years, a new chapter began in 2015. RealD announced it would be acquired by the private equity firm Rizvi Traverse Management in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $551 million. The transaction was completed in March 2016, taking the company private once again, with Michael V. Lewis continuing as CEO to guide its future in partnership with its new backers.