Venture in stealth mode, but deck stacked for new top level domain names.
eNom founder Paul Stahura, who sold his domain name registrar to Demand Media in 2006, has teamed up several other industry vets for a new venture reports GeekWire.
The stealth venture called Donuts Inc has raised $1 million according to SEC filings.
Former Network Solutions VP Jonathon Nevett is one of the company’s executives. Nevett has been an active consultant for new top level domain names, which makes me wonder if Donuts Inc will be applying for new top level domain names.
The deck is certainly stacked with the credentials for such a play. Other members of the executive team include Richard Tindal, whose bare-bones LinkedIn profile still lists him as SVP of registry at Demand Media and Daniel Schindler, former CEO of CentralNIC.
Directors include members of venture capital firms TL Ventures and Austin Ventures.
This will be an interesting one to watch.
Domainer Extraordinaire says
>The stealth venture called Donuts Inc has raised $1 million
$1 million is pocket change for Paul Stahura. Not a lot of conviction in this venture if he has to raise other people’s money.
Josh says
@Domainer Extraordinaire
I was thinking the exact same thing. After reading the GeekWire article, though, it looks like total funding could be more:
“According to a SEC filing, Donuts has raised $1 million in equity financing. The filing lists a total possible offering amount of $80 million, but Stahura said that figure is “not right.” He confirmed that the company is raising capital, but declined to offer details.”
Andrew Allemann says
If you look at the VCs involved, you’ll understand that the $1M is just the first step. These guys don’t invest that little.
Jer says
The whole .gTLD thing is going to get very messy and out of hand. I bet there will he hundreds of groups/individuals like these guys marketing and promoting their extensions, and there will be so many alternatives for any given extension. .Life ? But then there could also be .Living, .Lives, .Live, etc. Apply that thinking to any given extension and the value in terms of supply/demand to domainers is slim. Then add in the registration restrictions, the fact that you’ll never have a chance at hand-registering generic premium keywords (I’m sure they’ll be reserved), etc.
Only the registrars and creators will profit, 99% of domainers will simply lose out. And .COM will be the constant that weathers the storm as people get overwhelmed and confused.
How many domainers will fall for it, though, is the ultimate question ?
adam says
I was wondering what Paul was up to. Congrats Paul and good luck . Is Donuts Inc a registrar/registry for law enforcement ? jk btw I hear Kevin Rose is Milk Inc. maybe some good synergy.
Meyer says
VCs know that some investments will
1. be very successful.
2. most will breakeven.
3. some will crash and burn.
Andrew Allemann says
Meyer, I think it’s:
1. most will crash and burn
2. some will be very successful