Afilias, headquartered in Dublin, is set to float on AIM with new shares issued by the company expected to raise approximately $100m. Hal Lubsen, Chief Executive Officer of Afilias says: “Today’s announcement is an important step in the next phase of our growth, as we look to be a key player in the new programme of TLDs, and make selective acquisitions to increase the breadth and depth of our services and reach.”

From the announcement:

“Afilias today announces its intention to apply for admission of its issued and to be issued Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange (“Admission”) and to conduct a placing of its Ordinary Shares with institutional and professional investors (the “Placing”). The Placing will comprise an offer of new and existing Ordinary Shares.

The Group is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced internet services that enable Top Level Domains (“TLDs”) to operate. Afilias provides services, both as Registry Operator for TLDs and as Registry Service Provider to third parties that act as Registry Operators for TLDs.”

Proceeds from the Placing will be used by Afilias to:

• Acquire contested nTLDs in the upcoming auctions;
• Fund attractive acquisition opportunities including existing TLD assets and operating businesses in the Registry Operator and Registry Service Provider areas; and
• Develop the Group’s existing Registrar business to become an integrated operation.

Afilias in total supports Registries for more than 20 million Domain Names, comprising approximately 6.6 million Domain Names as a Registry Operator and 13.5 million Domain Names as a Registry Service Provider.