CVC Capital Partners is reportedly close to acquiring a majority stake in Namecheap in a deal that values the large domain name registrar and web hosting provider at approximately $1.5 billion, including debt.
The global acquisition firm is expected to work closely with Namecheap founder and CEO Richard Kirkendall, who will retain a significant stake in the company, according to sources familiar with the matter.
People familiar with the matter said the terms of the deal have been finalized, but could not be reached for comment on the timing of the announcement.
Founded about 25 years ago, Arizona-based Namecheap initially focused on registering online domain names. It has since expanded into online hosting and security services, helping users develop and manage websites.
CVC Capital Partners is a leading global private equity and investment management firm founded in 1981 and headquartered in Luxembourg, with offices in 30 cities worldwide. As of June 2025, its assets under management reached €200 billion (approximately US$216 billion), ranking 13th among global alternative asset managers. Its core businesses span private equity and credit, with expertise in leveraged buyouts and a focus on stable cash flow sectors such as consumer, healthcare, and industrials. It recently facilitated the IPO of Poland’s Zabka Group (with a market capitalization of €5 billion) and partnered with KKR to invest in an online travel platform. The firm prioritizes ESG integration, with a plan to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 73% by 2030 and requiring all its portfolio companies to set science-based carbon reduction targets by 2035.
News Source:wsj.com，This article does not represent our position.
