GoDaddy Bundle
Who Owns GoDaddy?
Understanding a company's ownership is key to grasping its direction. GoDaddy's journey from private hands to public trading in 2015 reshaped its investor base and governance.
GoDaddy, a leader in online presence solutions, has a history influenced by its founders, investors, and public market participation.
The company's evolution reflects significant shifts in its shareholder structure following its 2015 IPO.
As of July 22, 2025, GoDaddy's market capitalization stood at $24.1 billion, with 142 million shares outstanding.
The company reported $1.2 billion in revenue for Q1 2025, an 8% increase year-over-year.
GoDaddy's strategic positioning is further illuminated by a GoDaddy Porter's Five Forces Analysis, which examines competitive and market forces.
Who Founded GoDaddy?
GoDaddy was established in 1997 by Bob Parsons, initially as Jomax Technologies in Phoenix, Arizona. Parsons funded this venture with proceeds from the sale of his prior financial software company to Intuit for $64 million in 1994. The company was renamed GoDaddy in 1999.
| Founding Year | Founder | Initial Company Name | Acquisition of Previous Company | Proceeds from Previous Company Sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Bob Parsons | Jomax Technologies | Parsons Technology | $64 million |
Founding and Early Operations
Bob Parsons founded GoDaddy in 1997, initially naming it Jomax Technologies. His entrepreneurial background, including the successful sale of Parsons Technology, provided the initial capital. The company's early strategy focused on building customer trust and ensuring reliable hosting services.
Rebranding and Growth
Jomax Technologies was rebranded to GoDaddy in 1999. By 2001, the company had achieved a size comparable to its main competitors in the domain registrar and web hosting market.
Parsons' Leadership and Ownership
Bob Parsons served as CEO until June 2011 and remained involved as Executive Chairman until June 2014. He continued as a board director until October 2018. Prior to the company's initial public offering (IPO), Parsons reportedly held a significant ownership stake of 78%.
Early Funding Strategy
The initial funding for GoDaddy was primarily sourced internally from Bob Parsons' personal capital, derived from his previous business ventures. This allowed for a focused approach on service quality and user experience from the outset.
Company Evolution
GoDaddy's early years were characterized by a strong emphasis on customer service and hosting reliability. This foundational approach contributed to its rapid growth and establishment as a major player in the internet services industry.
Founding Principles
The core of GoDaddy's early development revolved around creating a dependable platform for domain registration and web hosting. This commitment to user experience was a key differentiator in a competitive market.
While specific equity splits at the company's inception are not publicly detailed, Bob Parsons was the sole founder and instrumental in shaping GoDaddy's trajectory. His leadership guided the company's growth, and his substantial ownership stake prior to the IPO highlights his central role in its early financial structure. Understanding the Mission, Vision & Core Values of GoDaddy provides further insight into the company's foundational principles.
Key Ownership Details
Bob Parsons was the sole founder of GoDaddy, providing the initial capital and strategic direction. His significant ownership stake before the company went public underscores his pivotal role.
- Founded in 1997 as Jomax Technologies.
- Renamed GoDaddy in 1999.
- Bob Parsons was the sole founder.
- Parsons reportedly owned 78% of the company before its IPO.
- Parsons remained on the board until October 2018.
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How Has GoDaddy’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
GoDaddy's ownership journey has seen significant shifts, from its private beginnings to a major private equity acquisition and its eventual public offering. These events have reshaped its corporate structure and investor base.
| Event | Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Private Equity Acquisition | July 2011 | Consortium including KKR & Co., Silver Lake Partners, and TCV acquired 65% for $2.25 billion to $2.5 billion. Founder remained largest single shareholder. |
| Initial Public Offering (IPO) | April 2015 | Launched on NYSE under 'GDDY', raising $460 million. Utilized an 'Up-C' structure. |
| Capital Structure Simplification | December 31, 2024 | No Class B shares outstanding. |
Following its IPO, GoDaddy's ownership landscape has become dominated by institutional investors, reflecting strong market confidence in the company. While the founder's influence has evolved, the current structure highlights the significant role of large financial institutions in GoDaddy's governance and future direction.
Major GoDaddy Shareholders
As of recent filings, institutional investors hold the vast majority of GoDaddy's shares, indicating substantial backing from the financial industry.
- Vanguard Group Inc. is a significant holder, with approximately 12.83% of shares as of Q1 2025.
- BlackRock, Inc. holds a substantial stake, representing about 8.216% of shares as of Q1 2025.
- State Street Corp. also maintains a notable position, owning approximately 4.985% of shares as of Q1 2025.
- Individual insiders collectively own a smaller percentage, around 0.55%.
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Who Sits on GoDaddy’s Board?
The GoDaddy Board of Directors, as of 2024-2025, is comprised of seasoned professionals guiding the company's strategic direction. Brian Sharples chairs the board, with CEO Aman Bhutani and former CEO Scott W. Wagner among its members. The board also includes Renee James, Barbara J. Rechterman, Charles J. Robel, Gregory Mondre, and Betsy Rafael, with Graham Smith joining as an independent director in June 2024.
| Director Name | Role | Key Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Sharples | Chair of the Board | Executive leadership |
| Aman Bhutani | CEO | Technology and business strategy |
| Scott W. Wagner | Former CEO | Extensive company leadership |
| Renee James | Founder and CEO, Ampere Computing | Technology entrepreneurship |
| Barbara J. Rechterman | Former Chief Marketing Officer | Marketing and brand strategy |
| Charles J. Robel | Executive | Finance and operations |
| Gregory Mondre | Co-CEO, Silver Lake | Private equity and technology investments |
| Betsy Rafael | Former CFO | Finance and accounting |
| Graham Smith | Independent Director | Audit and Finance Committee member |
GoDaddy's voting power is primarily structured around its Class A common stock, which operates on a one-share-one-vote principle. As of December 31, 2024, the company has simplified its capital structure by eliminating all Class B common stock, which previously held voting rights without economic rights. This means that holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and typically vote as a single class on corporate matters. Stockholders have several convenient options to cast their votes, including online, via telephone, by mail, or during the company's virtual annual meetings. The board is tasked with overseeing enterprise-wide risks and ensuring the company's long-term strategic, financial, and organizational objectives are met. In 2024, stockholders demonstrated strong support for the company's leadership by approving various incentive plans, ratifying the independent auditor, and endorsing the election of board directors and executive compensation.
Understanding GoDaddy's Shareholder Structure
GoDaddy's voting power is concentrated in its Class A common stock, with each share carrying one vote. This structure simplifies GoDaddy ownership and clarifies who controls GoDaddy.
- One-share-one-vote for Class A common stock.
- No Class B common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2024.
- Stockholders can vote through multiple channels.
- Board of directors oversees strategic and financial goals.
- Recent shareholder votes reflect confidence in leadership.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped GoDaddy’s Ownership Landscape?
Over the past few years, the ownership landscape of GoDaddy has seen strategic adjustments aimed at enhancing shareholder value. A significant development is the authorization of a substantial share repurchase program, indicating a commitment to returning capital to investors and reducing the number of outstanding shares.
| Metric | Value (as of July 22, 2025) | Change/Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Stock Price | $169.40 | |
| Market Capitalization | $24.1 billion | |
| Share Repurchase Authorization | Up to $3.0 billion through 2027 | Building on previous repurchases |
| Shares Repurchased (Jan 2022 - Feb 2024) | 34.2 million | Aggregate value of $2.6 billion |
| Fully Diluted Share Reduction (since 2022) | Approx. 20% (as of Feb 2024) | Over 25% previously reported |
| Q1 2025 Free Cash Flow | $411.3 million | Up 26% year-over-year |
| Q1 2025 Total Revenue | $1.194 billion | Up 8% year-over-year |
| Applications & Commerce Revenue (Q1 2025) | $446 million | Up 17% year-over-year |
The company's strategic direction continues to be guided by CEO Aman Bhutani, who has been at the helm since 2019. His focus remains on product innovation and delivering digital tools tailored for small businesses, a key segment within GoDaddy's Target Market of GoDaddy. Recent enhancements include the expansion of GoDaddy Airo®, with new integrations for logos and email, alongside improvements to its premium Airo Plus features. This strategic focus on product development and market expansion is reflected in the company's robust financial performance.
Shareholder Value Enhancement
The company has authorized a significant share repurchase plan, aiming to reduce outstanding shares and boost per-share value for its GoDaddy shareholders.
Leadership and Product Focus
CEO Aman Bhutani continues to drive product innovation, particularly in AI-powered tools for small businesses, enhancing the company's competitive edge.
Financial Performance Highlights
GoDaddy reported strong revenue growth in Q1 2025, with notable increases in total revenue and its Applications & Commerce segment, demonstrating healthy market demand.
Ownership Structure
The company's ownership remains predominantly institutional, suggesting a high level of confidence from major financial entities in GoDaddy's market position and future prospects.
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