Los Angeles‑based Lighten Up has secured backing from private‑equity firm Montage Partners, marking the lighting designer’s first outside investment since its 2002 founding. Founder Nathan Megaw will retain a meaningful stake and stay at the helm, ensuring continuity as the company scales. The infusion is expected to fund strategic expansion into larger corporate productions and upscale weddings.

Recent credits include the Super Bowl halftime show, the Grammys ceremony and the Oscars after‑party, positioning Lighten Up among the elite service providers for high‑visibility events. The capital raise comes as demand for immersive, technically sophisticated live experiences rebounds recently post‑pandemic, prompting investors to chase firms with proven marquee portfolios. Retaining the founder’s leadership is seen as a hedge against operational disruption.

With Megaw steering day‑to‑day operations, Montage’s minority stake should accelerate geographic reach beyond California and deepen equipment inventory. Existing national clients gain reassurance that the firm’s creative edge will be backed by fresh financial resources, while competitors may feel pressure to secure similar funding. The deal underscores private equity’s appetite for niche live‑event specialists in a market hungry for premium production value.