MEP Capital Management, a New York-based private investment firm focused on the media and entertainment industry, has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in BondIt Media Capital, an independent film and television investment firm.
The deal, accompanied by a new $100 million financing facility from a separate entity to be disclosed soon, will support both BondIt’s existing financing business and its expansion into new areas such as live entertainment, sports and the creator economy.
BondIt’s co-founder and CEO Matthew Helderman and COO Luke Taylor will continue to lead the company. MEP will contribute capital markets expertise and institutional support as the expanded platform seeks to grow domestically and internationally.
“BondIt has earned real credibility in the independent film and TV ecosystem by being consistent and pragmatic while building a track record of smart underwriting across market cycles,” said Andrew Kotria of MEP Capital. “With this growth equity investment and new credit facility, we expect BondIt’s core business to expand rapidly, while selectively expanding into adjacent opportunities across media and entertainment assets.”
In a joint statement, Mr. Helderman and Mr. Taylor said: “We founded BondIt to be a trusted partner for creators who understand the realities of production, distribution and production. MEP shares our long-term perspective and brings complementary strengths that will help us expand our production capacity, grow internationally and explore new opportunities with the same disciplined approach that has defined BondIt from the beginning.”
The capital injection is designed to allow BondIt to pursue larger, more complex deals, including bonded productions and big-budget TV series, without taking any steps back from the independent community that has been the core of the business since its founding in 2013.
Recent BondIt credits include the TV series “Embassy” starring Anna Kendrick and JK Simmons. “Vanished,” an Amazon MGM+ original starring Kaley Cuoco and Sam Claflin. And the 2025 Elements Music & Arts Festival will be headlined by deadmau5, Illenium, and Pretty Lights.
The acquisition also opens the door to collaboration between three complementary platforms: BondIt, its sister company Buffalo 8 (with over 400 film and TV titles, and 1,000 music and soundtracks), and MEP’s distribution affiliate West Side Pictures, with approximately 10,000 film and TV titles. Together, the two companies aim to offer independent creators a broad suite of funding and distribution solutions.
Looking forward, BondIt’s priorities include expanding its core lending capabilities, expanding into bonded film and premium television, deepening its international footprint, and selectively expanding into adjacent areas where MEP has existing experience, including music, live events, video games, YouTube and sports media. We are also considering further acquisitions to complement our platform focus.
The transaction follows Accord Financial Corporation’s previously announced exit from BondIt, stemming from its investment in the company in 2017.
Since its founding, BondIt has committed more than $500 million to more than 450 film, television and media projects. His credits include the Oscar-nominated “Loving Vincent,” HBO’s Emmy-winning “Street Gangs: The Road to Sesame Street,” Roland Emmerich’s war epic “Midway,” Kevin Smith’s “Clerks III” and the horror phenomenon “Terrifier 3.” In total, productions backed by the company have grossed more than $1 billion at the global box office.
