domains Ethos Capital Acquires Majority Control of Donuts Inc.

[Lox]

Ethos Capital, LLC (“Ethos Capital”), a private equity firm that invests in middle-market companies, announced today that it has completed an investment to acquire a controlling interest of Donuts Inc. (“Donuts”) from Abry Partners. Based in Seattle, WA, Donuts holds the world’s largest portfolio of top-level domains (“TLDs”) and offers individuals and organizations new ways to promote and enhance their true digital identities.

"Akram and the rest of the Donuts team have built an industry-leading domain company and demonstrated consistent organic growth through multiple market cycles. We are thrilled to partner with the team and look forward to applying our unique value proposition to their existing platforms”

Ethos Capital’s Co-CEOs, Erik Brooks and Fadi Chehadé, have deep experience in the digital infrastructure sector and have owned and worked with companies in the domain industry for years. Ethos Capital’s initial investment in Donuts in 2020 facilitated the acquisition of Afilias, Inc. a leading TLD registry operator and provider. The Ethos Capital investment group, which includes strategic partner The Baupost Group, funds managed by Neuberger Berman and others, now controls the Donuts Board of Directors and will provide a strong shareholder base to support the company’s future growth.

“With extensive operational expertise and significant experience in domain name and related industries, Ethos Capital is the perfect partner to support our mission of reliability, security, and stability, as well as position us for continued success. We look forward to working with the Ethos Capital team and leveraging their expertise as we enter this next phase of growth,” said Akram Atallah, CEO of Donuts.

read more (businesswire)

 

[Bob Hawkes]

So @DomainNameWire reported in January that Ethos were acquiring Donuts. Is it that it has now been confirmed that is now new?

While one can argue that some level of scale is necessary, I worry about the degree of concentration within the domain industry, which seems to grow each year.

I am not very familiar with ICANN workings, but it seems wrong to me that those who have recently been owners or managers of major assets that are subject to ICANN rulings can fill positions, or that those who have left ICANN positions are allowed to become owners/managers of ICANN regulated assets. In at least some countries, when you leave government or business positions there is a certain period before you can accept a position that could be viewed as a conflict of interest.

Thanks for bringing this, and so many other news stories, to our attention, @Lox - you perform a real service to the NamePros community.

Bob

 

[Lox]

So @DomainNameWire reported in January that Ethos were acquiring Donuts. Is it that it has now been confirmed that is now new?




Bob

In January, controlling interest was under 50%, now controlling interest is over 50%.

Regards

 

[Skyvisum]

Popcorn reminder:

1. On May 8, 2019, ex CEO of ICANN, Fadi Chehade, registered the domain name EthosCapital.com
2. Ethos Capital was founded by Erik Brooks (blab), a former managing partner at Abry Partners.
3. Ethos Capital has acquired a controlling stake in Donuts Inc from Abry Partners.
   
4. Nora Abusitta-Ouri, ex ICANN's Vice President for Development and PR Programs. Now Ethos Capital.
5. Akram Atallah served as ICANN's COO. Now CEO for Donuts.
6. Jonathon Nevett – PIR org President and CEO, co-founded Donuts Inc.
7. Anand Vora – PIR VP, BA, ex Director of Business Development at Donuts, Inc.

etc etc

Regards

Seeing these names and their links to Ethos, ICANN,PIR ,shows the same set of cronies do whatever it takes to make sure they stick to their plans .They forget smart people are also watching their every move .

Thanks for calling them out .

Thanks Lox.