MindGeek, parent company of Pornhub, is acquired by Ethical Capital Partners
Ottawa-based private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) has acquired MindGeek, owner of the Pornhub website.
A new Ottawa-based private equity firm has acquired the Montreal-based company behind one of the world's largest porn websites, Pornhub.
Ethical Capital Partners on Thursday announced its acquisition of MindGeek, which has a large portfolio of adult entertainment properties, for an undisclosed amount.
MindGeek has become embroiled in controversy in recent years, after an opinion piece by the The New York Times detailed allegations of sexual exploitation on platforms including Pornhub.
The company is frequently ranked in the top dozen most visited websites in the world, ahead of online retailer Amazon, streaming site Netflix and the TikTok social network.
The review triggered millions of explicit videos to be removed by Pornhub and convinced credit card issuers Visa and MasterCard to sever ties with the company and Parliament to launch an investigation.
In 2021, the federal government presented a plan to tackle harmful content posted on online platforms. Consultations and roundtables have since taken place, although no legislation has been tabled.
MindGeek and Pornhub don't take their responsibilities seriously
Launched last year, Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) is led by cannabis entrepreneur Rocco Meliambro and criminal lawyer Fady Mansour, who serve as chairman and managing director, respectively. Managing Partner.
Derek Ogden, retired Chief Superintendent of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, is also a founding partner.
The news section of the company's website has only one press release — the one about the MindGeek acquisition.
At ECP , we are looking for innovative and ethical companies whose activities are at the frontier of new and evolving industries, affirmed Mr. Mansour in this press release
With MindGeek, we have identified a technology brand dynamic that is built on a foundation of trust, security and compliance, and with ECP's resources and vast expertise in regulation, law enforcement, public and finance, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen what already exists.
MindGeek said the support of the private equity firm will allow it to continue to revolutionize the safe, legal and sex-positive technologies, and connect adult users around the world er with creators, content, ad partners, and technology they can trust.
