Epik moves into auctions with acquisition of DNKO platform.
Domain company Epik has acquired domain auction platform DNKO.com, and is launching its first auction as Epik tomorrow.
Epik is Rob Monster’s new domain name venture that was launched around the time of Domain Roundtable.
DNKO is a relatively new auction platform. The platform launched a couple months ago after being discovered on NamePros. Always interested in the domain auction space, Monster saw an opportunity to pick it up and rebrand it as Epik Auctions.
“I have long been fascinated by the domain auction business,” said Monster. “Many people know that I led an investment partnership to acquire Snapnames. While we did not prevail there, the passion for the domain auction market never went away.”
Monster believes the domain auction market is dominated by a practice of charging full-service commissions while providing Craigslist-level service.
“We hope to bring innovation and leadership to the domain auction market, particularly in the mid-market which we believe is under-served,” said Monster.
Epik Auctions will be tightly integrated into Epik’s domain platform, allowing domainers who monetize domains on Epik to submit their domains to auction with the click of a button.
Friday’s auction will include 45 domain names including anonymize.com, industryforecasts.com, and a handful of three character .me domains. Each auction lasts only 60 seconds, but are extended by bids.
Jamie Parks says
I’ll be there.
Francois says
Congrats to Dan Ramirez who was actively searching a buyer for his domain action service, and our wishes of success to Rob.
Anthony Mitchell says
Nobody has all the pieces to the liquidity puzzle today. As a demonstrated implementer, Rob Monster appears ready to fill in some of the gaps.
Rob Monster says
Thanks Anthony. You are right. This is fundamentally about creating a platform for bringing domains to the logical end-client buyers of the domains. Of course there will continue to be domainer-to-domainer transactions in the near-term. However, the area where we are investing development resources is to increase awareness that a specific domain is available for sale at a specific time that would have a logical buyer. And if that domain happens to be on the Epik platform, when that end client goes to check out the domain, they will (hopefully) see a website, not a parked page. In the long run, all domainers will benefit from having more high quality domains get developed. Feedback welcome as always. In the meantime, thanks for the feedback. And as for today’s auction, it is just a warm-up with some sweet deals.
Justin Allen says
Stolen Code, Stolen Concept… Great Job re-selling it.
Adam says
Wait a sec. You take a shot at all the other auction houses with the “craigslist service” comment and then you essentially publicize an auction 1 day before it happens ? come on.
Domain Investor says
NameBio quote –
“Stolen Code, Stolen Concept… Great Job re-selling it.”
First time I’ve heard this allegation.
Interesting comment from Justin since he continously scrapes data from reporting sources without their permission.
Plus, refuses to give them credit for the data.
TruthSeeker says
Domain Investor brings up a very valid point about NameBio.
Bob says
In defense of justin, most of the data on domains sold comes direct from the sources, as far as I can see. . .. dnjournal, namebio, dnn,dnw.all get the same stuff sent to us by the sources (the sales venues)
Rick says
Stop hating Adam. What’s the matter, no bowling alley on the website? When you learn how to be a professional like me and not just another MORON, you’ll be fine.