In my last post I told you about some of the dozens of applications to run new gTLDs that have been turned in by some of the companies who plan to be heavy hitters in the expanded space being opened up by ICANN. Today another shoe dropped and it was a really BIG and unexpected one. 

Donuts Inc., a registry for new top-level domain names that was originally expected to go after just a dozen or so domains, revealed today that they filed applications to run 307 new gTLDS - more than any other entity has announced to date. 

Their unexpected power play is being made possible by more than $100 million in funding being poured into the firm by multiple private equity and venture funds including  Austin Ventures,  Adams Street Partners,  Emergence Capital Partners,  TL Ventures,  Generation Partners and  Stahurricane. 

Donuts doesn't plan to announce the TLDs they are going for until June 13, ICANN's Big Reveal Day, when the people and companies that have applied for some 2,000 new TLDs will be identified along with the extensions they hope to operate. In some cases multiple applicants will be chasing the 

same extensions and Donuts executives served notice that, with their deep pockets (and access to additional funding if needed), they intend to win those battles and operate each TLD they applied for. 

Donuts Inc. CEO Paul Stahura

While many question the prospects for new TLDs, especially when so many will come online at once,  Donuts CEO Paul Stahura believes there is enough market demand to make the company's gargantuan investment a good bet. “Finding a usable Internet address is a real problem," Stahura said. "There are more than 125 million total names in the top five TLDs, with three fourths of them in .COM alone. The Internet was opened for worldwide use almost 20 years ago, and we’ve had only 22 generic names made available since then. We’re overdue for expansion.”

Stahura added, “This expansion is going to be disruptive in a positive sense. There’s no question competition is coming to .COM and other TLDs - how much of the market the new TLDs will take from them is what remains to be seen.”

Donuts selected Demand Media Europe Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Demand Media, Inc., as its registry services provider. Donuts Chief Operating Officer Richard Tindal said “We are confident in Demand Media’s technical capability and count them as a valued partner.  Their commitment to operational security and stability backs the assurances we’ve given to our investors and the marketplace.”

Tindal and Stahura co-founded Donuts Inc. with fellow domain industry veterans Jonathon Nevett and Daniel Schindler. All four have successful and extensive track records in all aspects of the business. Their first three hires brought even more experience to the management team with Chief Financial Officer Kevin Wilson, Vice President of Communications and Industry Relations Mason Cole and Vice President and General Counsel Alvaro Alvarez having all coming on board May 1, 2012. More details on the company's plans and leadership can be found in this press release (.pdf file).