Brightstar Capital Partners has acquired Bendon Publishing International, with founder Ben Ferguson retaining a stake and continuing as chief executive. Bendon, based in Ashland, Ohio and founded in 2001, designs and distributes licensed children’s coloring, activity and educational products. It develops books and kits tied to entertainment brands and sells through retailers including Walmart, Target, Costco, Dollar Tree and Amazon.
The deal marks Brightstar’s first investment under its lower middle market strategy targeting founder-led businesses. Bendon works with licensors such as Disney, Nickelodeon and Universal and focuses on low-cost, non-digital products for children. The company will continue operating under existing leadership. Brightstar invests across business services, industrials, consumer and government services sectors.
Portage Point Partners was the financial advisor to Bendon Publishing.
