Parsons

Go Daddy founder and CEO Bob Parsons will be the single largest individual investor in the company despite a roughly $2.25 billion investment from the three companies. Together they would hold a majority interest in Go Daddy.

Go Daddy officials termed the deal a “strategic investment” that will help the Scottsdale-based Internet domain registrar grow globally.

Parsons said the deal will allow Go Daddy to expand its business and keep him on as CEO. His ability to maintain that top post also means Go Daddy’s well-known corporate culture likely will remain intact. The additional funds will help with Go Daddy’s plans to boost its global presence with more locations catering to individual markets.

“There’s so much more we can do,” Parsons said.

Parsons founded Go Daddy in 1997, and the company has grown to be the largest provider of Web domains in the world. It estimates it has 50 percent of the market share while other sources peg that number close to 40 percent, still by far the most dominant share of the players in that industry sector.

Go Daddy is projecting $1.1 billion in revenue this year. The investment allows it to look at mergers and acquisitions more seriously, while also expanding its Arizona operations, Parsons said.

“It …

Go Daddy founder and CEO Bob Parsons will be the single largest individual investor in the company despite a roughly $2.25 billion investment from the three companies. Together they would hold a majority interest in Go Daddy.

Go Daddy officials termed the deal a “strategic investment” that will help the Scottsdale-based Internet domain registrar grow globally.

Parsons said the deal will allow Go Daddy to expand its business and keep him on as CEO. His ability to maintain that top post also means Go Daddy’s well-known corporate culture likely will remain intact. The additional funds will help with Go Daddy’s plans to boost its global presence with more locations catering to individual markets.

“There’s so much more we can do,” Parsons said.

Parsons founded Go Daddy in 1997, and the company has grown to be the largest provider of Web domains in the world. It estimates it has 50 percent of the market share while other sources peg that number close to 40 percent, still by far the most dominant share of the players in that industry sector.

Go Daddy is projecting $1.1 billion in revenue this year. The investment allows it to look at mergers and acquisitions more seriously, while also expanding its Arizona operations, Parsons said.

“It will enable us to grow like a house on fire,” he said.

The deal was attractive for both Silver Lake and KKR .

“Go Daddy is powerfully positioned for future growth as it continues to innovate and add to its truly unique platform of cloud-based software and services,” said Greg Mondre, managing director at Silver Lake, in a statement. “At the same time, we plan to maintain and augment all of the attributes that have made Go Daddy a clear market leader today, including world class customer support and competitive pricing for its 9.3 million customers.”

“Building on Go Daddy’s exceptional customer service and loyal customer base, we believe there is significant opportunity to expand the current portfolio of products and services as well as accelerate growth internationally,” Chen said in a statement.

Go Daddy has grown primarily from a small Web registration firm to a dominant player. It has developed a reputation for risque Super Bowl ads featuring spokeswomen such as racecar driver Danica Patrick and fitness guru Jillian Michaels.

The company has sizable operations in Arizona, including the corporate headquarters in Scottsdale. It also has operations in Colorado, Iowa, Washington, Singapore, Toronto and The Netherlands.

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