MindGeek Acquired by Ottawa Private Equity Firm

MindGeek Acquired by Ottawa Private Equity Firm

OTTAWA, Ontario — Pornhub and Brazzers parent company MindGeek has been acquired by a new Ottawa private equity firm, Ethical Capital Partners.

The news was first reported this morning by Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail. Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) also released a public statement outlining its strategy for MindGeek going forward.

ECP, the Globe and Mail reports, was “set up by criminal defense lawyers and a former law enforcement agent with ties to the Canadian cannabis industry.”

The report added that while ECP did not disclose how much it paid for MindGeek, it said that “alongside unnamed international investors who helped fund the deal, it now owns 100 percent of the company’s shares.” 

MindGeek released a statement saying it is looking forward to working with the Ethical Capital Partners team.

The new owners told the Globe and Mail that they plan to bring more transparency to Mindgeek, with ECP founding partner Solomon Friedman, an Ottawa criminal defense lawyer, telling the Globe and Mail that the new owners hope to “openly promote ‘consensual and sex-positive adult entertainment’ and spark discussions around trust and safety in sex work.”

Other reported founding partners include Friedman’s law firm partner Fady Mansour, former RCMP police officer and cannabis entrepreneur Derek Ogden and public relations strategist Sarah Bain.

“As we did our due diligence on the company,” Friedman stated, “we also learned that MindGeek has created best-in-class tools for detecting and deterring illegal online activity. We’re excited about this tech they own and we’re very proud to be new owners.”

Friedman also said that the new owners’ first course of action will be “to re-engage with the credit card companies to hopefully win back their business.” They are also looking to fill the positions of CEO and COO, which were vacated last June by the previous owners.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

AEBN Reveals Avery Lust as Top Trans Star for Q3 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the third quarter of 2025, with Avery Lust landing atop the leaderboard.

FSC: California's Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) put out an advisory today explaining that California's new device-based age verification law does not apply to adult websites.

Reena Sky Launches New Paysite

Reena Sky has launched her new official paysite, ILoveReenaSky.com.

Aubrey Kate Toplines 'TS Doctor's Office' From TransSensual

Aubrey Kate headlines “TS Doctor’s Office,” the latest title from Mile High Media studio imprint TransSensual.

NextGen Payment Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

NextGen Payment has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Lauren Phillips, Derek Kage Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 3rd Quarter of 2025

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the third quarter of 2025.

Ariel Demure Leads Latest From TransSensual

Reigning XMAs Trans Performer of the Year Ariel Demure stars in the latest TransSensual scene, titled "My Big Cock Cummy Wedding."

XBIZ 2026 Conference to Debut All-New Company Lounges, Community Track

The event website for XBIZ 2026 is now live, unveiling details for North America’s largest adult industry conference, including two all-new show features: Company Lounges and a Community Track.

Andylynn Payne, Emma Rosie Topline Joey Silvera's 'Trans-Active 32'

Andylynn Payne and Emma Rosie headline director Joey Silvera’s “Trans-Active 32” from Evil Angel.

Mymember.site Integrates VR Functionality

Mymember.site has added virtual reality playback capability to its website management platform.

Show More