Vancouver-based private equity firm IVEST Consumer Partners has acquired Cloudco Entertainment and its portfolio of kids brands, including the iconic Care Bears franchise. 

IVEST doesn’t plan to take over Cloudco’s operations, and will instead trust the existing management and team to drive company growth, says Cloudco president Sean Gorman. 

“IVEST has been impressed with both the company’s organic growth over the last three years, and its multi-year strategic plan, so at the moment, new owners and longer-term associates are all zeroed in on keeping things going and growing,” says Gorman. 

Besides Care Bears, Cloudco also owns stop-motion action-comedy series Buddy Thunderstruck, 2D-animated comedy Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese, preschool construction series Tinpo and live-action drama Holly Hobbie. The LA-based prodco believes IVEST is the right growth-oriented investor to help it strengthen all of its IPs across retail, TV and film.

“IVEST has started to build a focused portfolio of companies that are both product- and consumer-focused, whether through licensed IPs and now also through IPs that they own via Cloudco,” says Gorman. “In terms of growing Cloudco, IVEST is well-capitalized for both organic and/or outside acquisition, and will be appropriately strategic—always focused on IPs that already have, or can have, deep connectivity across multiple platforms like traditional TV or movie content, consumer products and digital gaming.”  

LA-based Intrepid Investment Bankers served as Cloudco’s financial advisor during the acquisition, which is reportedly worth US$100 million, according to investment industry trade news org Private Equity Hub. 

Since its launch in 2013, IVEST now manages more than US$500 million in assets. The firm’s portfolio also includes New Jersey-based plush manufacturer Dan Dee International, UK-based gaming and entertainment toyco Paladone, and California-based e-commerce retailer Entertainment Earth.