Channel Star AVI-SPL Acquired By 26North Partners To ‘Scale Globally,’ AVI-SPL CEO Says

One of the world’s top communication and collaboration providers, AVI-SPL, has been acquired by Josh Harris’ new investment firm, 26North Partners.

Communications and collaboration channel star AVI-SPL has been acquired by investment firm 26North Partners with the goal of boosting AVI-SPL’s scale on a global basis.

“AVI-SPL exemplifies the kind of business we seek out at 26North: resilient, essential and built for long-term growth,” said Mark Weinberg, head of private equity at 26North, in a statement Thursday. “It has a distinct edge in an expanding market and serves a diversified, blue-chip customer base.”

Tampa, Fla.-based AVI-SPL has over 4,400 employees across over 70 offices worldwide. Its customer base includes over 86 percent of the Fortune 100 companies.

AVI-SPL’s longtime CEO, John Zettel, said he’s “excited” to work with 26North.

“Their long-term vision and operational expertise make them an ideal partner as we continue to scale globally and deliver transformative solutions to our customers,” Zettel said in a statement.

AVI-SPL ranks No. 62 on CRN’s 2025 Solution Provider 500 list. The company also made CRN’s Elite 150 list for managed service providers in 2025.

Who Is 26North And Josh Harris?

26North is owned and founded by Josh Harris, who is also co-founder of Apollo Global Management.

Founded in 2022, the company provides private equity, credit and insurance solutions, currently overseeing roughly $28 billion in assets.

26North consists of former top executives from investment and financial firms including Brookfield Asset Management, Lehman Brothers and Goldman Sachs.

Last year, the company acquired electrical and IT systems provider ArchKey Solutions.

26North said it focuses on investing in upper-midmarket business via corporate partnerships, opportunistic buyouts and structured debt and equity transactions.

The AVI-SPL Deal

26North Partners acquired the controlling stake in AVI-SPL from Marlin Equity Partners and other selling shareholders.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

AVI-SPL provides mission-critical audio-visual and collaboration solutions that power the workplace, spanning installation, integration and managed services across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and the Asia-Pacific region.

26North said it will support AVI-SPL through its Alpha Creation Team, a catalyst for sustainable value that drives operational excellence and taps into a powerful network of relationships across industries—including sports and entertainment—to spark transformative partnerships and accelerate growth.