What Audio Video Electronics does

Audio Video Electronics (AVE) is a Minneapolis-based audiovisual integration firm founded in 1999 that designs, installs, and supports audio, video, lighting, and hearing-assistance systems, primarily for houses of worship, with secondary markets in schools, government, and commercial spaces. The company has completed more than 750 projects across the upper Midwest (predominantly Minnesota and Iowa) and operates through a staff of expert designers and installation technicians. AVE leverages 65 authorized brand partnerships — including Martin Audio, QSC, Shure, Allen & Heath, Meyer Sound, EAW, Innovox, Thor LED, and Black Magic Design — to specify and deploy integrated systems, typically orchestrated around Q-Sys DSP and control platforms, with recent commercial projects incorporating Microsoft Teams Room integration.

The company's product surface extends beyond pure integration into proprietary branded equipment via the THOR AV line, which includes Ridge-series LED video wall panels and the Shadow SH20 headset microphone launched in September 2025. AVE monetizes through four primary streams: project-based system design and installation (the largest), ongoing service and maintenance contracts (including systems AVE did not originally install), e-commerce equipment sales through its AVE Store at store.ave.tech (offering Shure, Sennheiser, PTZOptics, and THOR-branded products at unit pricing), and rental/production services routed through its sister company WNAV. Sales are conducted via a consultative, field-based account management model with individual revenue targets of $1M-$1.5M per account manager.

AVE operates as a privately held LLC under independent ownership following a 2024 management buyout by long-time general manager Josh Lannan, who acquired the business from founder Stefan Svard. The company has no institutional investors, no disclosed funding rounds, and no public revenue disclosure. It is geographically concentrated in the Twin Cities and upper Midwest region and competes in a fragmented market of regional commercial AV integrators rather than against national-scale players.

Name

Audio Video Electronics

Legal name

Audio Video Electronics, LLC

Website

https://audiovideoelectronics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Audio Video Electronics (AVE) is a Minneapolis-based AV integration firm founded in 1999 that designs, installs, and services audio, video, and lighting systems primarily for houses of worship, with secondary markets in schools, government, and commercial spaces across the upper Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audio Visual Integration Services

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial/Pro AV & Home Theater (Prosumer) Retail (CRACAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Home Theater Installation, Calibration & Custom AV Services Retail (CRACAEAK), Classroom AV Systems Integration (Projectors, Displays, Sound, Control) (EDAEAHAC), Assistive Listening & Accessibility AV Infrastructure (Hearing loops, captioning hardware) (EDAEAHAN)

Keywords

• Audio video integration
• Commercial AV installation
• House of worship AV
• LED video walls
• AV system design

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. System Design and Integration: AVE designs and installs custom audio, video, and lighting systems for churches, schools, government institutions, and commercial spaces. This is their primary revenue stream, involving project-based work from initial consultation through installation and commissioning.
2. Equipment Sales: AVE operates an e-commerce store (store.ave.tech) selling audio, video, and lighting equipment. Products include wireless microphones, PTZ cameras, LED walls, and related AV equipment. They also sell B-Stock and demo equipment at discounted prices.
3. Service and Support: AVE provides ongoing service, troubleshooting, and maintenance for installed systems, including systems they did not originally install. They offer preventive maintenance, repairs, and emergency support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Audio Video Electronics (AVE) designs, integrates, installs, and supports professional audio, video, lighting, and hearing-assistance systems for houses of worship, schools, government facilities, and commercial spaces primarily in the upper Midwest. The company also sells AV equipment (including its own THOR AV branded LED panels and headset microphones) through an e-commerce storefront and provides ongoing service and maintenance.

Product overview

AVE (Audio Video Electronics) is an audiovisual design and installation company specializing in houses of worship, schools, government, and commercial markets. Founded in 1999, the company provides a comprehensive portfolio including Audio Systems (loudspeakers, mixing consoles, amplifiers, DSP, wireless mics), Video Systems (LED walls, projectors, PTZ cameras, streaming), and Lighting Systems (stage and architectural lighting). Their product offerings center on THOR AV branded LED panels (Ridge series) and the Shadow SH20 headset microphone, complemented by equipment sales through their online AVE Store. Services include design, installation, maintenance, and rental/production support through sister company WNAV. Notable technology partners include Martin Audio, QSC, Allen & Heath, Shure, Meyer Sound, EAW, and Innovox Audio for audio systems; Thor LED for video walls; and Microsoft Teams integration for modern meeting spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Audio System Design and Installation Professional audio system design and installation combining latest technology with decades of experience. Includes loudspeakers, mixing consoles, amplifiers, DSP processors, and wireless microphone systems tailored to unique spaces and use cases.
• Video System Design and Installation Multimedia video presentation technologies and video production systems including LED walls, high output projectors, PTZ cameras, video switchers, streaming equipment, and display systems.
• Lighting System Design and Installation Stage and architectural lighting systems under manual and preset control. Set mood, direct attention, and provide optimum illumination for video capture. Includes LEKO and Fresnel fixtures, moving lights, and control consoles.
• Service and Support On-site service and support for audio, video, lighting, and control systems. Includes installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, preventive maintenance, and customer training. Available for systems AVE installed and for systems installed by other providers.
• Hearing Assistance Technologies Assistive listening systems including RF, inductive hearing loops, infrared, Wi-Fi audio streaming, and Bluetooth/Auracast systems, helping hearing-impaired individuals access audio content during services. System prices range from $1,500 to over $10,000 depending on technology and venue size.
• THOR AV Ridge LED Panels LED video wall panels for churches and venues, including Ridge 2.5i and Ridge 3.7i models. High-brightness, durable panels with weather-rated options available for outdoor installations.
• THOR AV Shadow SH20 Headset Microphone Head-worn omnidirectional headset microphone engineered for speech and vocal reinforcement. Features ultra-thin boom, studio-grade capsule, ReEx adjustable boom, SwivelFit reversible design. Weighs ~5g, available in tan, brown, black with connector options including TA4F, MicroDot, LEMO, 3.5mm locking.
• Rental and Production Services (WNAV) Professional audio, video, and lighting production services and equipment rental through sister company WNAV for events, concerts, and temporary installations.
• AVE Store E-commerce Equipment Sales Online store selling audio, video, and lighting equipment including wireless microphones, PTZ cameras, LED panels, and accessories, with B-Stock and demo items available at discounted prices.

Quantifiable outcome

• Testimonial: 'This is the first time I've heard Fr. John's homily....EVER! I could understand all the words the Cantor/choir sang!' - Immaculate Heart of Mary congregation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Vanman Architects & BuildersminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 September 2024AVE participated as technology partner for Vanman's annual Building for Ministry Seminar on September 21, providing audio and video support, recording, and answering AVL-related questions. The seminar offers insights for those constructing or renovating worship spaces.
• WNAV (Sister Company)coreOthersWNAV is AVE's sister company for professional audio, video, and lighting production services and equipment rental. Referrals go between the two companies based on customer needs for installation vs. rental/production services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• ADI Global Distribution: ADI is a major AV products distributor serving integrators and dealers. AVE's store.ave.tech equipment channel competes in the same end-customer space as ADI's residential/prosumer offerings, making ADI a channel-adjacent peer.

Direct peers

• AVI Systems: AVI Systems is a regional-to-national commercial AV integrator that designs and installs audio, video, and collaboration systems for corporate, education, and government clients. It directly competes with AVE in the Pro AV integration space and shares a similar multi-vertical go-to-market.
• CCS Presentation Systems: CCS is a commercial AV integrator serving corporate, education, and government customers with design, installation, and service. Its vertical mix and integration-led model closely parallel AVE's core business.
• Ford Audio-Video: Ford AV is a commercial AV systems integrator with a similar mix of corporate, education, and worship/institutional clients. It competes head-to-head with AVE on Pro AV design and installation projects.
• Whitlock (a GP Pro company): Whitlock is a Pro AV integrator serving enterprise, education, and government markets with design, integration, and managed services. It is comparable to AVE in delivery model and vertical reach, though at significantly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Diversified: Diversified is a large, multi-national AV integrator with deep enterprise and broadcast clients. It competes with AVE on large commercial projects and represents a broader incumbent with substantially greater resources.
• Trox: Trox is a major commercial AV integrator serving enterprise, higher education, and government markets. It overlaps AVE's vertical mix but operates at national scale with broader service offerings.

Emerging players

• LightWerks: LightWerks is a regional commercial AV integrator focused on corporate, education, and worship markets. Its service mix and vertical targeting are highly comparable to AVE's core offering.
• Williams AV: Williams AV specializes in assistive listening, hearing loop, and wireless audio distribution products used in worship, education, and venue applications. It is comparable to AVE's hearing assistance line and overlaps AVE's house-of-worship focus.
• Listen Technologies: Listen Technologies manufactures assistive listening and audio over Wi-Fi solutions for venues including houses of worship. It directly parallels AVE's hearing assistance offering and shares the worship-market customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ave.stream
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/audio-video-electronics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Audio Video Electronics