Investment marks first acquisition under Brightstar’s lower middle market strategy
New York, NY and West Palm Beach, FL – April 22, 2026 – Brightstar Capital Partners (“Brightstar”), a private equity firm focused on partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams, today announced its acquisition of Bendon Publishing International, Inc. (“Bendon” or “the Company”), a designer and distributor of licensed children’s coloring, activity, and educational products. Bendon’s Founder and CEO, Ben Ferguson, will continue to lead the Company, and he and members of his management team will retain a meaningful ownership stake in the Company.
The investment represents Brightstar’s first acquisition under its dedicated lower middle market strategy, which focuses on partnering with founder-, family-, and entrepreneur-led businesses to support long-term growth.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Ashland, Ohio, Bendon develops and distributes licensed children’s activity products across a broad range of retail channels, including Walmart, Target, Costco, Dollar Tree, and Amazon. The Company maintains long-standing relationships with leading entertainment licensors such as Disney, Nickelodeon, and Universal, and offers a diversified portfolio of products serving value-oriented and mass retail customers.
“Choosing a partner for Bendon’s next chapter was an important decision,” said Ben Ferguson, Founder and CEO of Bendon. “Brightstar brings deep experience working with founder-led companies and shares our long-term vision for the business. I’m excited to collaborate as we continue to grow organically and pursue selective M&A opportunities.”
Bendon’s products are designed to support hands-on, creative engagement and provide screen-free forms of entertainment and learning for children. Through coloring, activity, and educational formats, the Company encourages imagination, creativity, and fine motor skill development while providing accessible, non-digital alternatives for families.
“We believe Bendon is an ideal first investment for Brightstar’s lower middle market strategy,” said Charles Yoon, Partner at Brightstar and Managing Partner of the firm’s lower middle market strategy. “We are drawn to founder-led businesses with strong market positions, and Bendon stands out for its trusted relationships, broad distribution, and focus on screen-free products that support creativity and learning.”
Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Brightstar. Portage Point Partners LLC served as exclusive financial advisor and Spencer Fane Golenbock served as legal advisor to Bendon in connection with the transaction.
About Bendon
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Ashland, Ohio, Bendon is a designer and distributor of licensed children’s coloring, activity, and educational products. The Company partners with leading entertainment licensors to develop engaging, affordable offerings distributed across a broad range of retail channels in North America. Bendon’s products are designed to support hands-on, creative, and screen-free engagement for children. For more information, please visit http://www.bendonpub.com.
About Brightstar Capital Partners
Brightstar Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity firm with $5bn AUM focused on control-oriented investments in business services, industrials, technology, media & telecom, and financial services companies. Brightstar combines hands-on operational value creation with the disciplined deployment of artificial intelligence to support execution, productivity, and decision-making across its portfolio. For more information, please visit www.brightstarcp.com.