Vision Tools

What Vision Tools does

Vision Tools (Vision Tools Rental and Distributions GmbH) is a Hamburg, Germany-based distributor and rental operator serving the German audiovisual and event technology market. Founded in 1997 as a distribution brand of AVTV GmbH (established 1987), the company combines dry-hire rental, equipment sales, used-equipment resale under the FairBudget label, in-house repair services, and certified training into a single supplier ecosystem for event technology service providers, system integrators, specialized AV retailers, broadcast and studio operators, and corporate installation buyers.

The company's portfolio spans premium OEM brands across signal processing (Analog Way), video (Blackmagic, Lightware), projection (Panasonic, Sharp/NEC, Epson), displays (Barco, Absen), screens and projection surfaces (AV Stumpfl), rigging (Rigtec), mounting and power (Legrand AV, Instagrid). In parallel, Vision Tools co-develops and owns the HELIOS LED product line in partnership with Unilumin, including the moveLED Mk II foldable 135-inch LED display and the Digital Poster Mk III Foldable indoor and outdoor variants. The proprietary line differentiates the company from generic resellers and supports higher-margin direct sales into digital-out-of-home, event, and rental deployments.

The business model is anchored in B2B distribution and B2B dry-hire rental contracts, supplemented by used-equipment resale, repair/services, and manufacturer-certified training as cross-sell levers. Coverage is delivered through three German offices — Hamburg (headquarters), Weiterstadt (Frankfurt region), and Hilden (Düsseldorf region) — providing regional logistics density across the country's principal event-production demand centers. The company operates under a Co-CEO leadership structure with founder Stephan Schlüter alongside Julia Fudickar and employs approximately 40-46 people; it is privately held and does not disclose revenue or funding data.

Name

Vision Tools

Legal name

vision tools rental and distributions gmbh

Website

https://visiontools.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Audiovisual Equipment Rental & Distribution

NAICS

Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)

SIC

Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)

akta.pro primary industry

Audio-Visual Equipment Rentals (Sound, Projection, Screens) (HSACAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Staging, Scenic & Set Fabrication (Stages, Backdrops, Scenic Builds) (THAHAEAC)

Keywords

• Professional audiovisual equipment
• LED display systems
• AV equipment rental
• Event technology distribution
• Media technology wholesale

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Dry Hire Rental: Rental of professional audiovisual equipment including projectors, LED walls, displays, cameras, signal management systems, and media servers. The company offers dry hire (equipment-only rental) and can optionally provide project planning, technical advice, logistics, and on-site support.
2. Equipment Sales: Sale of new professional audiovisual equipment from brand partners including Analog Way, Panasonic, Sharp/NEC, Epson, Unilumin, AV Stumpfl. The company acts as a nationwide wholesaler with products arriving daily from manufacturers worldwide.
3. FairBudget Used Equipment: Sale of refurbished, tested used equipment from rental inventory. Customers can save up to 50% of new prices while extending equipment lifecycle.
4. Service and Repair: Repair services for AV equipment including LED cabinets, projectors, and other media technology. The workshop is located in Hamburg and provides cost estimates and repair services for both vision tools equipment and equipment purchased elsewhere.
5. Training and Certification: Professional training programs including Analog Way Certified LivePremier Operator courses, LED planning and user training (Basic and Expert levels), and Focus on Analog Way seminars held at vision tools facilities in Hamburg.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Vision Tools is a German B2B audiovisual equipment rental and distribution company serving event technology service providers, system integrators, and AV retailers. It supplies professional AV hardware (projectors, LED walls, displays, cameras, signal management, media servers) from brand partners such as Analog Way, Panasonic, Sharp/NEC, Epson, Unilumin, and AV Stumpfl, and offers its proprietary HELIOS LED product line. Core offerings include dry-hire rental, new equipment wholesale, the FairBudget certified used equipment program, repair services, and certified training at the Hamburg Campus.

Product overview

Vision Tools operates as a professional audiovisual equipment distributor and rental company offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services. Their core offerings include their proprietary HELIOS LED product line (moveLED, Digital Poster series, LiWe, and EXPu panels) for rental and sale, professional AV equipment rental and distribution (projectors, displays, cameras, media servers), repair and service capabilities, and training programs. They distribute third-party brands including Analog Way image processing systems, Rigtec rigging solutions, Epson projectors, Instagrid power systems, and Panasonic equipment. The company also offers used equipment sales through their FairBudget program and customized training services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FairBudget: Brand for used/refurbished event technology equipment offered at reduced prices.
• HELIOS

Products and services

• HELIOS moveLED Mk II Foldable high-resolution LED display with integrated lift system and intelligent transport solution designed for quick out-of-the-box deployment in audience areas. Features a 135-inch screen (300 cm x 168.75 cm), 1.5mm pixel pitch, 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, and 100–600 cd/m² brightness for rental and event production use.
• HELIOS Digital Poster Mk II Stylish indoor LED display with integrated player hardware for digital signage and advertising. Features 1.875mm pixel pitch, 320 x 1,080 resolution, 800 cd/m² brightness, and HDMI connectivity; up to 6 units can be combined into a seamless Full HD display.
• HELIOS Digital Poster Mk III Foldable Foldable double-sided Digital Poster for indoor use with modular design and high mobility. Supports pixel pitches of 1.56/1.87/2.50mm, Android 11 OS, and 90° connections; multiple units can be combined for creative geometric designs.
• HELIOS Digital Poster Mk III 1.8 Foldable Outdoor Foldable double-sided Digital Poster designed for outdoor operation with IP65 certification. Features 1.875mm pixel pitch, brightness up to 4,000 cd/m², and 7,680Hz refresh rate; up to six displays can be seamlessly connected.
• HELIOS LiWe i2.6 mm Universally applicable lightweight LED system developed with Unilumin for corporate events, broadcast, and studio applications. Features 2.6mm pixel pitch, 500x500x70.1mm cabinet size, 6.3kg weight, 1,200 cd/m² brightness, full front/rear service capability, and curved installation support.
• HELIOS EXPu 1.9 mm LED panels compatible with 55/62mm exhibition frame systems for trade show upgrades. Features 1.93mm pixel pitch, IP65 rating, common cathode technology for energy efficiency, and powerCON TRUE1 connectors; suitable for rental, permanent installation, or LED floor applications.
• Dry Hire Rental Rental service for professional AV equipment including DLP and LCD projectors, LED walls for indoor and outdoor use, displays, flat screens, touch systems (10–260 cm diagonal), cameras, image processing, signal management systems, computers, and media servers. Available as dry hire (equipment-only) or full-service with planning, logistics, and on-site support, aimed at event technology service providers and production companies.
• FairBudget Used Equipment Program Sale of workshop-tested, fully functional used media technology drawn from vision tools' rental or inventory stock. All devices are inspected, cleaned, defective parts replaced, and backed by warranty, including projectors, video mixers, cameras, displays, screens, and accessories with savings up to 50% versus new equipment.
• Repair & Service Repair service run by qualified technicians at the Hamburg workshop (Königsreihe 12). Devices are inspected, maintained, and serviced before rental deployment, with service available for equipment not purchased from Vision Tools. Cost estimates are chargeable and actual repair work is billed separately upon execution.
• Training & Education (vision tools Campus) Customized training programs at the vision tools Campus in Hamburg including Analog Way Certified LivePremier Operator courses (Level 1–3), Focus on Analog Way overview seminars, and LED planning/user training at Basic (EUR 1,200 + VAT, two days) and Expert (EUR 600 + VAT) levels, covering LED calibration, NovaStar systems, HDR, and camera integration.
• Analog Way Image Processing Solutions Official German distribution of Analog Way high-end image processing solutions for video wall and multiscreen management, signal conversion, and softedge blending. Includes LivePremier Aquilon presentation systems, Midra 4K switchers, Alta 4K processors, CorePlay Solo media players, and controllers for sale and rental.
• Rigtec Rigging Solutions Official German distribution of Rigtec projector stacking frames, flying adapters, truss mounts, and rigging solutions. Includes Atom Grip single and two-point mounts, Atom Grip HD mounts, and Airframe projector frames for Panasonic and Barco/Epson projectors.
• Instagrid ONE & LINK Portable Power Portable battery power storage system providing silent, uninterrupted power supply for events. Features 2.1 kWh capacity, 3.6 kW output, IP54 rating, and peak power up to 18 kW; the LINK module enables capacity extension by connecting multiple units, available for rental and sale.
• Epson L-Series Projectors Distribution of Epson professional laser projectors with 6,000–8,000 lumens output, WUXGA and 4K Enhancement resolution, HDR support, and maintenance-free operation up to 30,000 hours, including short-throw models for compact spaces, available for sale and rental.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% cost savings compared to new equipment through FairBudget used equipment program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Analog WaycoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial German distributor of Analog Way image processing solutions including LivePremier presentation systems, Midra and Alta 4K switchers, CorePlay media servers, and controllers for video wall and multiscreen management.
• RigteccoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial German distributor of Rigtec projector frames, mounting systems, and rigging solutions including Atom Grip single and two-point mounts, and Airframe projector frames.
• Panasonic ConnectcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing brand partner providing projectors including PT-RQ35K, PT-RZ34K, PT-RQ50, and PTZ cameras (AW-UE150) as well as studio cameras (AK-UC4000GSJ).
• Sharp/NECcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partner for professional displays and visual solutions under the Sharp NEC brand.
• EpsoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partner for professional projectors including the L-Series with models ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 lumens, WUXGA and 4K Enhancement resolution, and maintenance-free laser projection up to 30,000 hours.
• UnilumincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration partner for development and production of the proprietary HELIOS LED product line including HELIOS LiWe, HELIOS EXPu, and other LED systems.
• AV StumpflmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing brand partner for displays and presentation systems.
• Blackmagic DesignmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partner providing professional cameras for studio and broadcast applications in the rental inventory.
• LightwaremajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partner for signal management and transmission solutions included in rental inventory.
• BarcomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partner for projectors and switchers included in the rental equipment portfolio.
• Legrand AVmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrand partner for AV equipment and solutions.
• InstagridminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Instagrid ONE and LINK portable power storage systems, providing silent, sustainable power supply for events with up to 2.1 kWh capacity and peak output up to 18kW.
• AbsenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLED brand mentioned in use cases for rental applications (Absen Polaris) alongside HELIOS LiWe products.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NEP Group: Global broadcast and live events services company with a broader portfolio spanning OB trucks, studios, and AV equipment. Overlaps in studio/broadcast AV rental but operates at much larger scale with a different core focus.

Regional players

• Habegger: Swiss event technology provider offering AV rental, staging, and event production services primarily in Switzerland and parts of southern Germany/Austria. Comparable AV equipment portfolio but geographically focused on Switzerland rather than Germany.

Direct peers

• Lang AG: German AV rental and distribution specialist headquartered in Lindlar, serving event technology service providers with projectors, LED walls, image processing, and signal management. Closest direct competitor with similar product breadth and German customer base.
• PRG (Production Resource Group): Global leader in event production services and AV equipment rental with operations across multiple continents. Comparable product offerings (LED, projection, lighting, signal management) but at significantly larger scale; primary competitor for international and large-scale event tenders.
• Gahrens + Battermann: German AV rental and event technology company with multiple offices serving corporate events, trade fairs, and live shows. Directly comparable in customer segments (event-tech service providers, system integrators) and service offering (rental, sales, service).
• Satis&Fy: German event technology company offering AV equipment rental, event production, and technical services for trade fairs, corporate events, and live shows. Direct peer in the German event-tech rental market.
• BPS (Bild- und Präsentation Services): German AV equipment and event services company serving corporate events, conferences, and presentations. Comparable in product range (projectors, displays, signal management) and customer base within the German market.
• Neumann&Müller Group: German event technology and AV services provider specializing in live events, conferences, and corporate events. Comparable in target customer base and rental/service model, with similar focus on event technology service providers in the DACH region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/visiontools

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vision Tools