The Story of Zistos: From Founders Bob & John to a Legacy Preserved by EquityX

How Bob and John built Zistos into a trusted name in visual inspection, and how EquityX is preserving and scaling that legacy for the next generation.

Our Story

Zistos was never just a company, it was a calling.

In the early 2000s, Bob Levine, a brilliant engineer with a deep sense of mission, saw a gap in how professionals accessed dangerous, confined, and hard-to-reach environments. He believed technology could be more than just a tool, it could be a lifeline. So, from a modest workshop in Holbrook, New York, he began developing portable visual inspection systems that could help save lives and prevent tragedy before it happened.

The Partnership

But vision alone doesn't build a lasting company. That's where John Kennedy came in.

With a sharp operational mind and a background in business development, John partnered with Bob to turn an engineering idea into a sustainable, growing business. Bob focused on the how, designing groundbreaking systems built in the USA with unmatched technical precision. John focused on the who, building trusted relationships with tactical teams, utility companies, and government agencies across the country.

Together, they built Zistos into a respected name in visual inspection, not through flashy marketing or hype, but by earning the trust of the most demanding users on the front lines: SWAT teams, first responders, military units, and industrial safety leaders.

Two Decades of Trust

For over 20 years, Bob and John worked side by side, one as the soul of innovation, the other as the engine of growth. But eventually, like many founders, they faced a new challenge: how to protect what they had built and ensure it lived on.

The EquityX Chapter

That's when EquityX entered the story.

EquityX partnered with Bob and John not to replace their vision, but to protect it, honor it, and scale it for the future. They saw not just a company, but a legacy, a culture of integrity, a team of skilled professionals, and a product line that truly saves lives.

Today, Zistos remains proudly based in Holbrook, NY, with the same spirit that guided its founders. Under new leadership, and with the continued involvement of Bob and John, the company is writing its next chapter: expanding into new markets, accelerating innovation, and bringing life-saving visibility to more industries around the world.

Because every decision deserves to be informed. Every life deserves to be protected. And every legacy deserves to be preserved.