SmartPlay

SmartPlay operates in the domain marketplace, facilitating the buying and selling of internet domain names through an accessible platform tailored for domain investors, businesses, and entrepreneurs. SmartPlay, founded in 2008 in Bangalore, India, specializes in facilitating domain transactions. The company was acquired by Aricent, a portfolio company of Delta Partners Group, in August 2015 for USD 180 mn, marking a significant shift in its operational structure. The founder, Sujan Karthik, has a background in technology startups.

SmartPlay specializes in the domain marketplace, offering a platform for users to buy and sell internet domains. Their core services include an intuitive interface for listing domains, searching for available domains, and facilitating purchases directly. The platform caters to a global audience, serving North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, and targets individual investors, small businesses, and large corporations. SmartPlay generates revenue primarily through commission earned on domain sales, retaining a percentage of the transaction value upon the successful closure of sales.

The platform allows users to list domains while facilitating direct transactions between buyers and sellers, with pricing varying based on domain specifics, including premium names that command higher values. Looking ahead, SmartPlay intends to launch new features that enhance user experience in the domain marketplace, with anticipated releases in the coming quarters. The company plans to expand further into the Asian and European markets by the end of 2023, leveraging its recent funding of USD 180 mn from the Add-on round led by Aricent to support these initiatives.