(CMR) In what is considered the biggest news in the tech industry for quite some time GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) is acquiring the Uniregistry registrar and marketplace, Frank Schilling’s Name Administration domain name portfolio, and other associated assets for an undisclosed amount.
This acquisition will include the registrar, technology and a name administration portfolio of over 350,000 domains. The deal is expected to be finalized sometime in Q2 2020. However, it does not include Uniregistry’s top-level domain name business such as the local .ky.
Speaking to CMR about the sale Schilling shared:
“There are many winners in this transaction and I am the happiest for the outcome of the team here in the Cayman Islands.. when I began the company here many people told me I couldn’t scale a real-world technology company in the Caribbean and that I should Relocate to New York or San Francisco and staff there. Cayman has been (and continues to be) a wonderful place to scale from because people are welcome from all over the world, the current Government is progressive and business-minded; and its proximity to so many great cities attracts the best talent.. I have been in the Cayman Islands almost 20 years, Our country is getting better and better. We are all very lucky to live here and call this place home”
Uniregistry started in 2014 by catering to domain name investors with specialized tools to register, manage and sell domains. They later expanded its service to other audiences while still focusing on domain name investors. The Uniregistry registrar will continue to operate at www.uniregistry.com.
Schilling is considered a domain industry pioneer and is expected to continue playing a key role in the industry after the deal is finalized. As the founder and CEO of Uniregistry, Frank is behind the creation of dozens of new domain name endings (such as .cars, .photo and .game) as well as the fastest-growing domain name registrar and aftermarket sales platform in the world. His instincts and passion have inspired a team of engineers, brokers, and designers to create products and services that are shaping the future of how people launch new businesses and get online.
Uniregistry employees will stay on with the company, and Uniregistry offices in Grand Cayman and Manchester will continue to operate. Coupled with GoDaddy's additional products and talent local expansion is very possible.
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