Last week, I noticed that the Velo.com domain name had been acquired via Marksmen, a brand protection company that offers domain name acquisition services:
Looks like @MarksmenTweets acquired https://t.co/9HtN6caHNw on behalf of a client. Great cycling domain name.
— Elliot Silver (@DInvesting) June 12, 2019
If I was going to take a guess about who acquired Velo.com, I would have guessed it was Velo Payments that acquired Velo.com. The startup, which was founded in 2017, uses VeloPayments.com for its website, and it has received $12 million in funding, according to Crunchbase. My guess would have been incorrect.
Earlier this morning, Jamie Zoch noticed the domain name changed registrants again. Velo.com is now registered to Reynolds American, Inc:
Reynolds American Inc. were the buyers of Velo(.)com, which likely sold for a strong amount. The #domain was developed by prior owners and in use. Reynolds holds a smokeless tobacco TM for the term and it’s likely future use as a #brand
— Jamie Zoch (@DotWeekly) June 18, 2019
As Jamie pointed out in his tweet, the tobacco company has a velo trademark related to a smokeless tobacco product.
Velo.com is an exceptional domain name, and it was a smart move for Reynolds American to buy it. I couldn’t even speculate about the purchase price, but I would imagine it was an expensive acquisition.
It may be short, but I don’t find it particularly appealing at all. In fact I find it a bit awkward and drab.
That’s just you.
Velo is a popular cycling-related term and the name of quite a few companies.
I have pretty eclectic interests and a very broad sense of things. Cycling is a very narrow scope. Sure, it may be good for cycling, but I’m pretty sure that would only be for those who are hardcore about it, as in a small subset of those who are into cycling. Like yourself for instance. I’ll be the vast majority of those who enjoy cycling not only have little to no awareness of the term “velo,” but don’t even usually use the word “cycling” either.
So I look into my heart of hearts with great honest introspection, and I ask myself, do I actually like this name and term, even for any kind of branding? And even regardless of whether companies already use it? And the answer is, I don’t like it. In fact I kind of even hate it to a degree. I’ve also never even heard of any company using that branding for anything, and would never use it myself. I would take the domain this time, however, since I know some will like it.
I’ll bet the vast majority*
Most names are drab to you John unless it is 4 words long, near unusable, and sitting in your Godaddy account.
i prefer velociraptor but that’ probably just me.
@John
Again your opinion is f worthless …so F off
Just identify who you are.
What are you afraid of?
I will let you know when my opinion is worthless.
PS, the domain also has horrible radio test issues.
When Marksmen contacts you, and they have contacted me on 7 occasions since 2001, you should know you’re dealing with IP professionals and serious buyers (often Fortune 50 companies). All of my transactions with Marksmen have gone smoothly, albeit with the usual negotiations. One negotiation lasted 2 months, and it was intense, before I was able to arrive at the desired price. The buyer: one of the largest 10 companies in the world. Sale comprised domain names, trademarks, patent, trade-name…
BTW – VELO.COM = stellar name