International Stock Price, News & Analysis

International Star Inc. (OTC: ILST) is a public company whose strategy centers on acquiring and developing businesses with high growth potential in the cannabis sector and adjacent consumer categories. According to company communications, International Star Inc. operates primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary Budding Equity (also referred to as Budding Equity Inc. or Budding Equity LLC) and a minority ownership stake in B Studios LLC. The company emphasizes celebrity partnerships, intellectual property licensing, and brand development as core elements of its business model.

Business structure and core operations

International Star Inc. states that it operates through Budding Equity, which owns and licenses intellectual property through contracts with movie studios and celebrities. Budding Equity structures licensing deals with third parties for cannabis-related products. The company also reports maintaining joint ventures with affiliates of Ice Cube and Kevin Smith to license and brand cannabis and cannabis-related products.

In addition, International Star Inc. holds a 20% ownership stake in B Studios LLC. B Studios focuses on producing cannabis-themed films and using product placement and licensing opportunities connected to cannabis brands. Through this structure, International Star Inc. connects entertainment content with cannabis-related consumer products.

Celebrity-driven cannabis brands and licensing

Company disclosures describe a portfolio of celebrity-driven cannabis brands and partnerships. Budding Equity is involved in Fryday, a cannabis brand associated with artist Ice Cube. International Star Inc. has announced a licensing renewal agreement that extends Ice Cube’s cannabis lines under the Fryday banner through a specified future period, reflecting an ongoing joint venture relationship.

The company also highlights the Jay and Silent Bob cannabis brands, associated with affiliates of Kevin Smith, as part of its cannabis portfolio. International Star Inc. reports that these brands are part of its broader strategy to build a culture- and celebrity-driven cannabis platform. Budding Equity’s work includes owning and licensing intellectual property and entering into joint ventures to bring branded cannabis and cannabis-related products to market.

Subsidiary Budding Equity and brand expansion

Budding Equity LLC is described as a wholly owned subsidiary of International Star Inc. focused on cannabis innovation and brand development. The company has announced partnerships intended to expand its brands into new geographic markets. For example, Budding Equity LLC has entered into a partnership with Premium Produce LLC to launch its portfolio of cannabis brands in Nevada, with Premium Produce overseeing manufacturing and distribution of joint venture brands in that state.

International Star Inc. has also announced a partnership between Budding Equity LLC and LXIII Holdings Inc. (Louie the XIII) to expand operations into Thailand. Under this agreement, LXIII Holdings Inc. will secure exclusive licensing rights to the Fryday and Da Grassy cannabis brands for the Thai market. The company describes this as a step toward expanding its footprint into Asia and introducing its cannabis brands to new audiences.

Additional subsidiaries and partnerships

International Star Inc. has disclosed that Budding Equity LLC is a wholly owned and operated subsidiary and that B Studios LLC is a separate entity in which International Star Inc. holds a 20% ownership stake. B Studios focuses on cannabis-themed films and aims to capitalize on product placement and licensing connected to cannabis properties.

The company has also announced a Letter of Intent with Zionic Beverages Inc. to collaborate on the development of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage products. Under this relationship, International Star Inc. will work with Zionic Beverages to formulate beverage products and facilitate connections with celebrities for potential endorsement and promotion. The company notes that Zionic Beverages brings relationships with established industry participants and distribution channels.

Strategic focus and diversification

In a shareholder communication, International Star Inc. describes cannabis as a cornerstone of its strategic growth. The company explains that it has leveraged partnerships with influential celebrities and investments in cannabis-related properties to participate in the cannabis market. It also notes that cannabis themes are incorporated into media projects developed by B Studios.

While cannabis remains a critical component of its portfolio, International Star Inc. states that it is working to diversify into new markets and adjacent industries that complement its expertise in celebrity branding and licensing. Examples mentioned include potential initiatives in beverage products and collaboration with a nicotine manufacturer, as well as efforts to expand its global footprint through international brand licensing.

Budding Equity’s role in brand and IP licensing

According to company descriptions, Budding Equity’s role includes owning and licensing intellectual property through contracts with movie studios and celebrities. It structures licensing deals with third parties for cannabis-related products and maintains joint ventures with celebrity-affiliated partners. These activities are intended to support the development and expansion of cannabis brands such as Fryday, Da Grassy, and other celebrity-linked lines.

Budding Equity has also been involved in agreements to develop, manufacture, and distribute cannabis products and accessories in collaboration with public figures. For example, Budding Equity LLC has announced an agreement with comedian Brad Williams to develop a cannabis product line that aligns with his comedic brand and audience.

Entertainment and media through B Studios

B Studios LLC, in which International Star Inc. holds a 20% ownership stake, focuses on producing cannabis-themed films. Company communications indicate that B Studios aims to integrate cannabis properties into its film projects and to capitalize on product placement and licensing opportunities. This entertainment focus is presented as complementary to International Star Inc.’s cannabis brands and celebrity partnerships, creating connections between media content and consumer products.

Advisory and capital deployment in emerging technologies

International Star Inc. has announced the appointment of a strategic advisor, Buster Cox, to support its next phase of growth and capital deployment. The company states that its board has determined that long-term shareholder value will be influenced by a more active strategy in emerging technologies, digital assets, and operating businesses.

The advisory role includes guidance on digital asset and crypto treasury strategy, AI-driven operating company strategy, and AI and technology merger and acquisition due diligence. The company describes its intention to identify, evaluate, and integrate AI software businesses and to consider blockchain-based assets as part of its broader strategy.

Deal origination and cannabis sector expertise

International Star Inc. has reported a formal re-engagement with T Bone Capital and Todd Masse as strategic partners in deal origination and execution. The company notes that this relationship is intended to support sourcing, evaluating, and structuring opportunities across cannabis and emerging consumer sectors. This reflects an emphasis on aligning with partners who bring domain expertise and access to potential transactions.

Global cannabis brand strategy

In a strategy update, International Star Inc. describes efforts to build a differentiated portfolio of celebrity-driven cannabis brands with a global orientation. The company references plans for domestic expansion across multiple U.S. states and international initiatives involving markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Canada, and Thailand, as described in its communications. These efforts are framed as part of a broader global cannabis brand strategy implemented through Budding Equity and related joint ventures.

Stock listing and sector classification

International Star Inc. is identified in company communications and news releases with the ticker symbol ILST and trades on the OTC PINK market. In the provided classification data, the company is associated with the sector "Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction" and the industry "Dimension Stone Mining and Quarrying." However, recent company descriptions and press releases focus on cannabis-related intellectual property, celebrity licensing, entertainment projects, and emerging technology and digital asset strategies rather than mining or quarrying activities.

FAQs about International Star Inc. (ILST)

• What does International Star Inc. do?
  International Star Inc. states that it operates through its wholly owned subsidiary Budding Equity and its minority stake in B Studios LLC. Budding Equity owns and licenses intellectual property through contracts with movie studios and celebrities and structures licensing deals with third parties for cannabis-related products. B Studios focuses on cannabis-themed films and related product placement and licensing.
• How is International Star Inc. involved in the cannabis industry?
  The company describes cannabis as a cornerstone of its strategic growth. Through Budding Equity and joint ventures with celebrity affiliates, International Star Inc. participates in the development, licensing, and branding of cannabis and cannabis-related products, including celebrity-driven cannabis brands.
• What is Budding Equity’s role within International Star Inc.?
  Budding Equity is a wholly owned subsidiary that owns and licenses intellectual property through contracts with movie studios and celebrities. It structures licensing deals with third parties for cannabis-related products and maintains joint ventures with affiliates of Ice Cube and Kevin Smith to license and brand cannabis and cannabis-related products.
• What is B Studios LLC and how is International Star Inc. connected to it?
  International Star Inc. reports holding a 20% ownership stake in B Studios LLC. B Studios focuses on producing cannabis-themed films and seeks to capitalize on product placement and licensing opportunities connected to cannabis properties.
• How does International Star Inc. use celebrity partnerships?
  The company highlights partnerships and joint ventures with celebrity affiliates, including Ice Cube and Kevin Smith, to create and promote cannabis brands. It has also announced collaborations with other public figures, such as comedian Brad Williams, to develop cannabis product lines aligned with their personal brands.
• What markets does International Star Inc. target for its cannabis brands?
  Company communications describe plans for domestic expansion across multiple U.S. states, including Nevada, and international initiatives involving markets such as Thailand and other regions referenced in its strategic updates. These efforts are part of a global cannabis brand strategy implemented through Budding Equity and its partners.
• How is International Star Inc. approaching emerging technologies and digital assets?
  The company has appointed a strategic advisor to support initiatives in AI-driven operating company strategy, digital asset and crypto treasury strategy, and AI and technology merger and acquisition due diligence. These activities are described as part of its next phase of growth and capital deployment.
• On which market does ILST trade?
  International Star Inc. is identified in company and news disclosures as trading under the ticker symbol ILST on the OTC PINK market.
• Is International Star Inc. still involved in mining or quarrying?
  The sector and industry classification provided list International Star Inc. under Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction and Dimension Stone Mining and Quarrying. However, the company’s recent descriptions and press releases focus on cannabis-related intellectual property, celebrity licensing, entertainment projects, and emerging technology and digital asset strategies.
• What is International Star Inc.’s overall strategic focus?
  International Star Inc. presents its strategy as acquiring and developing innovative businesses with high growth potential in the cannabis space and beyond, using celebrity partnerships, intellectual property licensing, entertainment content, and, more recently, initiatives in AI, digital assets, and emerging consumer sectors.