This founder built the RV he wanted for ski trips. It led to a $20 million business
Jim Ritchie started AEONrv, a Nevada-based company that sells a high-tech hybrid RV , because he wanted to create a new kind of vehicle for himself to use. The result is an RV with a modern, all-electric cabin mounted on the chassis of a gas-burning Ford Transit van. The company’s growth has been strong enough to land it at No. 66 on the Inc. 5000 list this year , with a three-year growth rate of…
Jim Ritchie, a software engineer, founded AEONrv, a Nevada-based company, after creating a high-tech hybrid RV for his personal use. The unique vehicle has an all-electric cabin mounted on a gas-burning Ford Transit van chassis. The company grew rapidly, making it to the Inc. 5000 list in 2023 with a three-year growth rate of 4,231 percent, despite the overall RV industry declining since its Covid-era high.
Ritchie, inspired by his own outdoor adventures, wanted a vehicle for skiing, biking, and other activities. The company's innovative design utilizes solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and Starlink for internet connectivity, with no propane or traditional RV materials like metal or aluminum. AEONrv delivers around eight vehicles per month, starting at $229,500, and aims for $20 million in revenue by 2026.
As the RV industry shrinks, Ritchie predicts the company's 2026 revenue will surpass $20 million. The company remains a niche player in an industry dominated by three major players - THOR Industries, Forest River, and Winnebago Industries.
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