lightsmiths
LightSmiths is a privately held event lighting, audio, and video production firm in Shoreline, Washington, serving weddings, corporate events, galas, and concerts across Western Washington and Oregon with proprietary hardware and 600+ wireless chandeliers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersShoreline, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What lightsmiths does
LightSmiths is a privately held event lighting, audio, and video production company founded in 2012 by Brian Waltz in Shoreline, Washington. The company serves weddings, corporate events, galas, and concerts across Western Washington, with disclosed service areas extending to Seattle, Bellevue, Woodinville, Kirkland, Tacoma, Issaquah, Bainbridge Island, and Portland/Bend, Oregon. Its core proposition combines full-service event production with proprietary, in-house-fabricated hardware including Standeliers (a telescoping stand-chandelier hybrid priced at $200-$300) and Elev8 telescoping lighting stands engineered for Astera and Ape Labs fixtures (priced at $110-$250 per unit). The company maintains an inventory of over 600 wireless chandeliers and pendant lights and 300+ battery-powered fixture types, enabling rapid deployment with minimal venue power infrastructure.
The business operates three distinct revenue streams: professional event production services for weddings, corporate events, and concerts (quote-based pricing); hardware sales of proprietary Elev8 stands, cases, and Standeliers through a Shopify e-commerce storefront; and equipment rentals including battery-powered lanterns at $30-$45 per unit. Notable enterprise clients include SpaceX, Microsoft, Confluent, and Acumatica. The company has cultivated a creative partner ecosystem (Next Event Collective, 321 Foto, Maison de V, Gene Alexander Designs, Confete Balloons) to bundle photo, video, balloon, and design services, and markets through Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, a content blog, and venue-specific partnership pages across 40+ Pacific Northwest venues. The company is founder-owned, has no disclosed external funding, and does not disclose financials or headcount.
lightsmiths firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- lightsmiths
- Legal name
- LightSmiths
- Website
- https://lightsmiths.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LightSmiths is a privately held event lighting, audio, and video production firm in Shoreline, Washington, serving weddings, corporate events, galas, and concerts across Western Washington and Oregon with proprietary hardware and 600+ wireless chandeliers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
lightsmiths industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Production Services
- NAICS
- Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing (33513)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Lighting Decor (Uplighting, String Lights, Effects) (HSACAOAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Lighting & Power Rentals (Uplighting, Generators, Distribution) (HSACAFAE)
Keywords
Where lightsmiths is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Shoreline
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
lightsmiths business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Event Production Services: Full-service event lighting, audio, video, and production services for weddings, corporate events, galas, and concerts. Services include setup, execution, and breakdown.
- Lighting Equipment Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of proprietary lighting equipment including Elev8 stands for Astera and Ape Labs fixtures, carrying cases, and accessories through their Shopify storefront.
- Equipment Rentals: Rental of specialized lighting and decor equipment including Standeliers, lamps, lanterns, LED furniture, and temporary structures for events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Elev8 Lighting Stand - Astera (Black) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Elev8 Lighting Stand - Astera (White) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Elev8 Lighting Stand - Astera (Silver) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Elev8 Lighting Stand - Ape Labs (Black) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Elev8 Lighting Stand - Ape Labs (Silver) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Elev8 8-Pack Case w/Foam |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standelier (Proprietary Chandelier Stand) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lamps and Lanterns (Rental) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
lightsmiths product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LightSmiths provides full-service event lighting, audio, video, and production for weddings, corporate events, galas, and concerts in Western Washington. The company differentiates by fabricating proprietary hardware (Standeliers, Elev8 lighting stands) and operating an extensive wireless battery-powered inventory that enables rapid venue transformation with minimal power infrastructure. In addition to services, LightSmiths sells proprietary Elev8 stands, carrying cases, and Standeliers direct-to-consumer via Shopify.
Product overview
LightSmiths is an event lighting, audio/video, and production company serving Western Washington (Seattle, Bellevue, Woodinville). The company offers a dual offering: (1) Physical products including Elev8 telescoping lighting stands for Astera and Ape Labs fixtures, custom Standelier hybrid stand-chandeliers, and protective carrying cases; and (2) Comprehensive event production services spanning lighting (chandeliers, LED walls, tubes, trees, tunnels, twinkle, up-lighting, pin-spotting, lasers, fog), audio (pro sound systems), video (LED walls, motion graphics), draping, staging, backdrops, dance floors, DJ booths, and custom fabrication. The portfolio includes over 600 wireless chandeliers, battery-powered fixtures, and custom-built tools developed in-house. Services are marketed to weddings, corporate events, galas, concerts, and private celebrations across venues throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Standelier: A bold lighting hybrid that redefines event lighting - part telescoping stand, part chandelier, delivering the elegance of overhead décor with the flexibility of a freestanding fixture. Each Standelier rises gracefully from the floor to support a suspended chandelier element.
- Elev8 Lighting Stand
Products and services
- Elev8 Lighting Stand for Astera and Ape Labs Proprietary telescoping lighting stands designed and fabricated in-house by LightSmiths for mounting Astera and Ape Labs wireless LED tubes. Adjustable height from 22 to 54 inches with twist-locking clutches and weighted base. Sold via Shopify as a standalone hardware product.
- Elev8 8-Pack Carrying Case Protective SKB i-series waterproof case with custom foam inserts sized to hold 8 Elev8 lighting stands. Inner dimensions 29 x 14 x 15 inches, empty weight 22 lbs. Available in yellow, blue, red, and black foam colors, drop-shipped via MyCaseBuilder.
- Standelier (proprietary chandelier-and-stand hybrid) Custom-fabricated hybrid that combines a telescoping stand with a suspended chandelier, delivering overhead decor without requiring ceiling rigging. Available in black and gold finishes, two sizes (22x16 inches at $300, 18x12 inches at $200), with heights from 42 to 84 inches. Designed and built exclusively by LightSmiths.
- Full-Service Event Production (Lighting, Audio, Video) End-to-end event production services combining lighting design (chandeliers, LED video walls, tubes, trees, tunnels, up-lighting, pin-spotting, lasers, fog/haze), pro audio (K-Array, RCF, JBL Pro, Shure, Allen & Heath, Yamaha, Midas, Pioneer DJ), video (LED walls, motion graphics), draping, staging, backdrops, dance floors, DJ booths, truss structures, and custom fabrication for weddings, corporate events, galas, and concerts. Includes setup, execution, and breakdown across Western Washington venues.
Quantifiable outcome
- Complete event production using only 3 x 20-amp circuits at 300+ fixture SpaceX event
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use lightsmiths
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
lightsmiths technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
lightsmiths partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Next Event CollectivecoreCreative collective partnership for delivering diverse photo and video experiences at events. Collaborates on creative concepts and execution for unique event productions.
- 321 FotocoreMedia partner providing professional photo booth and media services integrated into event productions.
- Maison de VminorCreative talent partnership for event experiences and design collaborations.
- Gene Alexander DesignsminorDesign partner contributing creative design elements for event experiences.
- Confete BalloonsminorCreative partner for balloon installations and decorative elements complementing lighting designs.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
lightsmiths competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SWANK Audio Visuals: Event AV and production services company serving hotels, corporate events, and associations. Comparable to LightSmiths in the integrated AV/lighting/ 服务 model but with a hotel and meeting-planner focus rather than weddings.
- 4Wall Entertainment: National event lighting and rigging rental company serving concerts, TV, corporate events, and theater. Directly comparable to LightSmiths in lighting equipment rental and event production services with broader geographic coverage.
- Christie Lites: Major lighting equipment rental company with offices across North America serving concerts, corporate events, and special events. Comparable to LightSmiths in offering lighting fixture rentals and production services, though at larger scale.
- Bandit Lites: One of the largest concert and event lighting rental companies in the US. Compete in same event lighting rental and production space, though focused more on concert touring than weddings/corporate events.
Regional players
- EventEQ: Event and party rental company with tenting, lighting, and décor offerings for weddings and corporate events. Comparable to LightSmiths in the event décor and lighting niche, though primarily serving a different regional market.
Broad incumbents
- PRG (Production Resource Group): Major provider of production solutions for live events, concerts, and corporate productions, including lighting, video, and audio at scale. Directly comparable technology stack and customer segments to LightSmiths, but PRG serves global touring and large corporate productions.
- Encore Global: Largest event technology and production services company in North America (formerly PSAV). Provides AV, lighting, and staging for hotels, corporate events, and conventions—directly comparable to LightSmiths' full-service event production offering but at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Freeman: Global experiential marketing and event services company with deep AV, lighting, and custom fabrication capabilities. Comparable to LightSmiths in the integrated event production model and enterprise customer focus, but operates nationally with much larger scale.
- Levy (Event Production): Hospitality and event production company providing comprehensive event services including lighting, AV, and décor for high-end venues and corporate events. Comparable to LightSmiths in the integrated event production and venue relationship model, though embedded within a broader hospitality ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Atomic: Event lighting design and rental company with custom fabrication capabilities, including bespoke chandeliers and pipe-and-drape structures. Compares to LightSmiths in custom fabrication and boutique event lighting, representing an emerging competitor in the same niche.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
lightsmiths social profiles
Digital presencelightsmiths financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
lightsmiths leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
lightsmiths funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
lightsmiths M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about lightsmiths
What does lightsmiths do?
LightSmiths provides full-service event lighting, audio, video, and production for weddings, corporate events, galas, and concerts in Western Washington. The company differentiates by fabricating proprietary hardware (Standeliers, Elev8 lighting stands) and operating an extensive wireless battery-powered inventory that enables rapid venue transformation with minimal power infrastructure. In addition to services, LightSmiths sells proprietary Elev8 stands, carrying cases, and Standeliers direct-to-consumer via Shopify.
Is lightsmiths a public or private company?
lightsmiths is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was lightsmiths founded?
lightsmiths was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is lightsmiths based?
lightsmiths is headquartered in Shoreline, United States, in the North America region.
How does lightsmiths make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Event Production Services are the primary driver. The others are lighting Equipment Sales and equipment Rentals.
Who are lightsmiths's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SWANK Audio Visuals, 4Wall Entertainment, Christie Lites and Bandit Lites. EventEQ is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are PRG (Production Resource Group), Encore Global, Freeman and Levy (Event Production). Atomic is listed as an emerging player.
Does lightsmiths have an API?
No public API is recorded for lightsmiths.
What industry is lightsmiths in?
lightsmiths's product category is Event Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAOAE, Event Lighting Decor (Uplighting, String Lights, Effects), with a secondary code of HSACAFAE, Lighting & Power Rentals (Uplighting, Generators, Distribution). Its NAICS code is 33513.