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| keypeople = [[Paul Stahura]], CEO <br> [[Jonathon Nevett]], EVP <br>[[Daniel Schindler]] Executive Officer <br>[[Richard Tindal]] <br>[[Mason Cole]], VP of Communications<br>
| keypeople = [[Paul Stahura]], CEO <br> [[Jonathon Nevett]], EVP <br>[[Daniel Schindler]] Executive Officer <br>[[Richard Tindal]] <br>[[Mason Cole]], VP of Communications<br>
}}
}}
'''Donuts''' is a start-up company offering registry services co-founded by [[Paul Stahura]] and [[Jonathon Nevett]], [[Richard Tindal]], and [[Daniel Schindler]]. In April 2011 the company was in stealth mode and raising capital; based on the company's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Donuts raised $1 million equity financing.<ref>
'''Donuts''' is a start-up company that was created to apply and run new gTLDs as made possible by [[ICANN]]'s [[New gTLD Program|gTLD expansion program]]; it was co-founded by [[Paul Stahura]], [[Jonathon Nevett]], [[Richard Tindal]], and [[Daniel Schindler]]. In April 2011 the company was in stealth mode and raising capital; based on the company's filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Donuts raised $1 million equity financing.<ref>
[http://www.geekwire.com/2011/demand-media-exec-paul-stahura-emerges-stealthy-donuts/ Former Demand Media exec Paul Stahura emerges at stealthy Donuts Inc.]</ref> Since then it has submitted 307 [[gTLD]] Applications and secured some $100 million in financing. The company's headquarters is located in Bellevue, Washington.
[http://www.geekwire.com/2011/demand-media-exec-paul-stahura-emerges-stealthy-donuts/ Former Demand Media exec Paul Stahura emerges at stealthy Donuts Inc.]</ref> Since then it has submitted 307 [[gTLD]] Applications and secured some $100 million in financing. The company's headquarters is located in Bellevue, Washington.
In September, 2012, Donuts was ranked 14 in The Walls Street Journal's Top 50 Start-Ups for 2012 - it was also the newest start-up on the list.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444813104578018940187057924.html#project%3DNBT092012%26articleTabs%3Dinteractive Interactive, Online.WSJ.com]</ref>
In September, 2012, Donuts was ranked #14 in The Walls Street Journal's Top 50 Start-Ups for 2012 - it was also the newest start-up on the list.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444813104578018940187057924.html#project%3DNBT092012%26articleTabs%3Dinteractive Interactive, Online.WSJ.com]</ref>
==New gTLD Applications==
==New gTLD Applications==
On June 5, 2012, Donuts announced that the company submitted applications for 307 [[gTLD|generic top level domain names]] (gTLDs), including [[IDN]] TLDs, and secured $100 million in capital from multi-billion dollar private equity and venture funds.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2012/06/05/donuts-raises-100-million-applies-for-307-new-tlds/ Donuts raises $100 million, applies for 307 new TLDs]</ref>
On June 5, 2012, Donuts announced that it submitted applications for 307 [[gTLD|generic top level domain names]] (gTLDs), including [[IDN]] TLDs, and secured $100 million in capital from multi-billion dollar private equity and venture funds.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2012/06/05/donuts-raises-100-million-applies-for-307-new-tlds/ Donuts raises $100 million, applies for 307 new TLDs]</ref>
According to Mr. Schindler, the company originally came up with a list of 3,000 prospective domain names. He said, "We made a long list of dictionary terms, in multiple languages and character sets. We created our own proprietary way of valuing the [gTLDs], and that helped us narrow it down. But 307 is still a lot, obviously."<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/05/technology/donuts-domains-funding/index.htm?source=cnn_bin 'Donuts' startup lands $100 million for dot-brand domains]</ref>
According to Mr. Schindler, the company originally came up with a list of 3,000 prospective domain names. He said, "We made a long list of dictionary terms, in multiple languages and character sets. We created our own proprietary way of valuing the [gTLDs], and that helped us narrow it down. But 307 is still a lot, obviously."<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/05/technology/donuts-domains-funding/index.htm?source=cnn_bin 'Donuts' startup lands $100 million for dot-brand domains]</ref>
At one point, an article from Bloomberg reported that the company plans to apply for 10 gTLDs. <ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-10/go-daddy-verisign-bet-on-windfall-from-web-address-expansion-ge-opposes.html Domain Nuts]</ref> Mason Cole, the company's Vice President of Communications and industry relations explained that the reporter from Bloomberg misunderstood or had miscommunication with Stahura. He said that at the time of the interview, the exact number of the gTLD's to be applied for hadn't been finalized. Mr. Cole also said that the company is well prepared to operate all the 307 gTLDs.<ref>[http://domainnamewire.com/2012/06/05/a-tasty-conversation-with-donuts-which-just-applied-for-307-tlds/ A tasty conversation with Donuts, which just applied for 307 TLDs]</ref>
Donuts signed a strategic partnership with [[Demand Media]] in pursuit of certain gTLDs. According to a press statement, under the agreement, Demand Media has the right to acquire some of the approved gTLDs applied for by Donuts.<ref>
[http://ir.demandmedia.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=215358&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1704010&highlight= Demand Media to Participate in Historic Expansion of Generic Top Level Web Domain Name Extensions]</ref> Furthermore, [[Demand Media Europe Limited]], will serve as the back-end registry service provider for Donuts. The registry provider is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Demand Media.<ref>[http://donuts.co/images/stories/donuts_launch_release.pdf Donuts Launches Domain Namespace with 307 gTLD Applications, More than 100 Million in Funding]</ref>
[http://ir.demandmedia.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=215358&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1704010&highlight= Demand Media to Participate in Historic Expansion of Generic Top Level Web Domain Name Extensions]</ref> Furthermore, [[Demand Media]]'s wholly owned subsidiary, Demand Media Europe Limited, will serve as the back-end registry service provider for Donuts.<ref>[http://donuts.co/images/stories/donuts_launch_release.pdf Donuts Launches Domain Namespace with 307 gTLD Applications, More than 100 Million in Funding]</ref>
In terms of [[Intellectual Property|intellectual property]] rights protection, the company said that it created rights protection mechanisms for new gTLDs and it will implement an open Internet philosophy. According to Stahura, "The Internet is an engine of information, ideas and commerce, and one that’s not restrictive unnecessarily. Donuts intends to preserve that openness for all users, not operate a ‘by invitation only’ section of the Internet."<ref>[http://domainincite.com/9227-donuts-applies-for-307-yes-307-gtlds Donuts applies for 307 (yes, 307) gTLDs]</ref>
In terms of [[Intellectual Property|intellectual property]] rights protection, the company said that it created rights protection mechanisms for new gTLDs and it will implement an open Internet philosophy. According to Stahura, "The Internet is an engine of information, ideas and commerce, and one that’s not restrictive unnecessarily. Donuts intends to preserve that openness for all users, not operate a ‘by invitation only’ section of the Internet."<ref>[http://domainincite.com/9227-donuts-applies-for-307-yes-307-gtlds Donuts applies for 307 (yes, 307) gTLDs]</ref>