the live company GmbH & Co. KG

What the live company GmbH & Co. KG does

the live company GmbH & Co. KG is a German event technology service provider headquartered in Wettringen, North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 2004 (originally as Lightconcept) and rebranded in March 2023. The company operates a 360° live event production model combining DryHire equipment rental, full-service event production, personnel rental, equipment sales, and repair services for clients across the live entertainment, corporate, festival, and cultural sectors. Its service offerings span concert touring, corporate events, livestreaming/hybrid events, and venue services, with a regional focus in Münsterland and project execution across Germany. Notable executions include the Tante Mia tanzt electro festival (~20,000 visitors), Grafschafter Open Air (~8,000), AGRAVIS trade show (600 m² booth), and Kulturbüro Gronau's Jazzfest and Inselpark light installations.

The company's core asset is the SmartStage 180 — a three-axle semi-trailer mobile stage described as Europe's largest, with 29,500 kg self-weight (no ballast required), 18,000 kg roof load, 7.7 m lighting height, and Layher-compatible modular construction. This is complemented by a premium equipment fleet including 48 Ayrton Rivale Profile IP65 fixtures, 24 GLP impression X5, 24 GLP impression E350, 32 DTS Katana LED Bars, and DiGiCo Quantum 225 audio consoles. The team comprises 17 specialists including managing directors, project coordinators, sound and lighting technicians, warehouse staff, and apprentices.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across five streams: usage-based DryHire equipment rental (13:00-to-13:00 day billing), project-based FullService production with a 5% quote fee, flat-rate personnel rental (10-hour day rate with structured overtime), transactional new/used equipment sales via an online store, and flat-fee repair services (€75 cost estimates). Go-to-market is sales-led and reputation-driven, with project referrals, recurring municipal and festival relationships, and a website portfolio blog as the primary marketing channel. The privately held KG (Kommanditgesellschaft) is led by co-Managing Directors Nils Ottmann (since January 2024) and Nikos Kötting, with founder Raphael Berndzen in a sales support role.

Name

the live company GmbH & Co. KG

Legal name

the live company GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://lc-live.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

the live company GmbH & Co. KG is a Wettringen, Germany-based event technology firm (founded 2004, 17 staff) providing DryHire equipment rental, full-service event production, personnel, and repair services to festivals, corporate clients, and municipalities, anchored by the SmartStage 180 mobile stage and a premium lighting/audio fleet.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Technology Services

NAICS

General Rental Centers (5323)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting Design & Rental (MPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Event Rentals (Furniture, Staging, Tents) (HSACADAI), Corporate, Event & Staging Furniture Rental (Short-Term) (CRAIAOAG), VIP, Hospitality & Premium Experiences (Packages, Clubs, Suites) (MPAIAFAK)

Keywords

• Event technology services
• Mobile stage rental
• Live event production
• Lighting and sound rental
• Corporate event services

Headquarters

HQ city

Wettringen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. DryHire (Equipment Rental): Rental of event technology equipment including lighting, audio, video, and mobile stage systems. Equipment is rented from the company's warehouse in Wettringen; minimum rental period is one day, billed from 13:00 to 13:00. The company maintains a portfolio of Ayrton Rivale, GLP impression X5/E350, DTS Katana LED Bars, and DiGiCo Quantum 225 mixing consoles for hire.
2. Full Service Event Production: End-to-end event production including equipment rental, setup, operation, and breakdown. Services encompass general planning, stage design, material and personnel provision, logistics, and permits. Also includes streaming, conference technology, and venue services.
3. Personnel Rental: Rental of event technology personnel including technicians for setup, operation, and breakdown. Personnel is billed at a flat daily rate covering up to 10 hours, with overtime charged at 1/10 of the daily rate plus 50% surcharge.
4. New and Used Equipment Sales: Sale of new and used event technology equipment through their online store (www.gebrauchte-veranstaltungstechnik.de). Eigentumsvorbehalt (retention of title) applies until full payment is received.
5. Repair Services: Repair of event technology equipment. Cost estimates for repairs are billed at a flat rate of €75 net plus VAT.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

the live company provides end-to-end event technology services including DryHire equipment rental, full-service 360° event production, personnel rental, and the SmartStage 180 mobile stage. Their rental fleet features premium lighting (Ayrton Rivale, GLP, DTS) and audio (DiGiCo, Yamaha) equipment, serving concerts, festivals, corporate events, livestreaming, and cultural events across Northwest Germany.

Product overview

the live company GmbH & Co. KG is an event technology service provider based in Wettringen, Germany, offering a comprehensive portfolio of live event solutions. The core product is the SmartStage 180, described as Europe's largest mobile trailer stage, complemented by a full range of event technology services including lighting, sound, video, and stage technology equipment rental (DryHire). The company provides concert and touring services, corporate event production, livestreaming solutions, and location services. Services range from pure equipment rental to full-service 360° production covering planning, execution, and coordination. Equipment fleet includes premium lighting fixtures (Ayrton Rivale, GLP impression X5/E350, DTS Katana) and professional audio consoles (DiGiCo Quantum, Yamaha CL/QL).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartStage 180 Mobile Stage Europe's largest mobile trailer stage featuring a three-axle semi-trailer with air suspension, hydraulic leveling cylinders, no additional ballast required due to 29,500 kg self-weight. Maximum roof load of 18,000 kg, lighting height 7.7m, total height 10m. Stage floor with double-sided fold-out podiums in anti-slip and waterproof plywood. Variable height 1.6m–2m. Features include a Header for banners up to 13.5 m², Layher-compatible extensions, All Black design with tent-material side walls, and 4m SmartPortal for LED walls or banners. Available for rental with the company's production team.
• DryHire Equipment Rental Rental of event technology equipment including lighting, sound, video, and stage technology from the company's warehouse in Wettringen. Minimum rental period is one day, billed from 13:00 to 13:00. Fleet includes 48 Ayrton Rivale Profile fixtures (IP65 outdoor moving lights), 24 GLP impression X5 Washlights, 24 GLP impression E350 Movingheads, 32 DTS Katana LED Bars, DiGiCo Quantum 225 and Yamaha CL/QL series audio consoles. Targeted at event organizers, tour managers, and production companies.
• Full Service Event Production (360° Service) End-to-end 360° event production including equipment rental, setup, technical operation, breakdown, and full event coordination. Services encompass general planning, stage design, material and personnel provision, logistics, and permits. Also includes streaming, conference technology, and venue services. Targeted at corporate clients, festival organizers, municipalities, and cultural institutions across Northwest Germany.
• Konzert & Touring Services

Quantifiable outcome

• SmartStage 180: maximum roof load 18,000 kg, lighting height 7.7m, total height 10m, 29,500 kg self-weight trailer
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• perfect soundminorStrategic or Co-development Partnerperfect sound handled the setup and breakdown of the stage structure at the Emsfestival 2023. The collaboration was described as a professional and harmonious working relationship.
• Schürmann CateringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchürmann Catering collaborated with the live company on the HKC Firmengruppe corporate event in Rheine, combining catering and technical services.
• KultourcoreTechnology or IntegrationKultour is the Münsterland-based manufacturer that produced and delivered the SmartStage 180 mobile stage to LC. The handover and training took place directly on site at Rock am Kellenberg festival.
• Partner Network (Veranstaltungstechnik, Elektrotechnik, Finanzwesen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerthe live company maintains a strong partner network with expertise in event technology, electrical engineering, and finance. This network enables innovative impulses and synergies that help perfect events.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Others

• Kultour GmbH: Münster-based mobile-stage manufacturer that built and delivered LC's SmartStage 180. Not a direct competitor but an enabling partner and supplier that defines the technological ceiling for LC's flagship product.
• Area Four Industries / MILOS: Major European manufacturer of staging, rigging, and structural event equipment (Layher-compatible). Enabling supplier in the same staging infrastructure ecosystem that LC's mobile stage and corporate event staging depend on.

Direct peers

• Gahrens + Battermann GmbH & Co. KG: German full-service event technology provider offering dry-hire equipment rental, staging, lighting, audio, and conference technology across multiple German offices. Closely matches LC's combination of DryHire + FullService + corporate event focus.
• satis&fy AG: One of Germany's largest event technology companies offering equipment rental, staging, lighting, and full-service event production. Directly comparable to LC's full 360° event technology model and is the previous employer of LC's new CEO.
• Habegger AG: Swiss event technology provider with mobile stages, lighting, audio, and rigging. Operates in the DACH region with comparable full-service model and mobile-stage infrastructure for major festivals and corporate events.
• Lang AG: German event technology company specializing in video, LED, projection, lighting, and rigging rental with its own mobile stages. Comparable product portfolio to LC including premium mobile stage infrastructure for touring and festivals.
• BÜTEC GmbH: German manufacturer and rental provider of mobile stages, grandstands, and event infrastructure. Direct competitor in the mobile-stage segment that LC's SmartStage 180 targets, with similar focus on festival and outdoor event infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• MCI Group: Global event and association management company with full-service corporate event production capabilities. Competes for the corporate event segment LC serves (AGRAVIS, Kreissparkasse, HKC) at a larger, more international scale.
• NEP Group: Worldwide provider of broadcast and event technology services with major investments in mobile stages, LED screens, lighting, and audio. Larger incumbent in adjacent markets (broadcast, sports, live events) competing for premium event infrastructure.
• PRG (Production Resource Group): Global leader in event technology and production services with extensive equipment inventory and full-service capabilities. Operates at a much larger scale than LC but competes for the same premium touring, festival, and corporate-event contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-live-company-gmbh-co-kg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 the live company GmbH & Co. KG