A light emitting module comprises a light emitting device (LED) mounted on a high thermal dissipation sub-mount, which performs the traditionally function of heat spread and the first part of the heat sinking. The sub-mount is a grown metal that is formed by an electroplating, electroforming, electrodeposition or electroless plating process, thereby minimizing thermal resistance at this stage. An electrically insulating and thermally conducting layer is at least partially disposed across the interface between the grown semiconductor layers of the light emitting device and the formed metal layers of the sub-mount to further improve the electrical isolation of the light emitting device from the grown sub-mount. The top surface of the LED is protected from electroplating or electroforming by a wax or polymer or other removable material on a temporary substrate, mold or mandrel, which can be removed after plating, thereby releasing the LED module for subsequent processing.