Two sizable dot-brand consultants combine ahead of 2026 top level domain expansion

Com Laude purchases FairWinds Partners.

Two firms that combined to help brands apply for more than 250 dot-brand domains in the last round of TLD expansion are teaming up.

Corporate domain management firm Com Laude disclosed today that it has purchased FairWinds Partners.

In the 2012 round of top level domain expansion, Com Laude obtained more than 120 dot-brands for clients. FairWinds helped clients apply for 133 top level domains.

As stated by a press release announcing the buyout, Com Laude is assisting clients with “hundreds” of top level domain applications for the expansion round that opens next year.

Ben Crawford, CEO of Com Laude, is familiar with acquisitions. He previously led what is now Team Internet Group as it grew substantially by buyout.

Commenting on the buyout, Crawford stated:

We’re excited to expand our capacity to deliver for firms all over the world in the run-up to the biggest event in internet domain names for 14 years. Adding FairWinds to our group creates a platform that is even better placed to deliver for clients, backed by broad and deep experience from the 2012 round, making us a compelling choice for achieving dotBrand TLD success for our clients – from the most established brands to the emerging brands of the future.

Private equity firm PX3 Partners owns Com Laude.