GoDaddy Acquires FreedomVoice To Accelerate The Delivery Of Communications Services To Small Businesses

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May 17, 2016, 06:30 ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GoDaddy Inc. (NYSE: GDDY), the world's largest technology provider dedicated to small businesses, today announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase FreedomVoice for $42 million in cash plus up to $5 million in potential future milestones payments. The addition of FreedomVoice's team and its cloud-based communications products furthers GoDaddy's commitment to helping small businesses succeed.

There are over 210 million small businesses globally and the vast majority rely on mobile or desktop phones to communicate with their customers. With this acquisition, GoDaddy now provides another essential service for small businesses and organizations to create and maintain their digital identity – adding voice services to naming, presence and productivity.

FreedomVoice offers a product suite that delivers intuitive and affordable communications specifically for small businesses. Products include a custom cloud number (local, toll-free, vanity) that automatically routes business-related calls to a user's mobile phone, and a cloud-based phone system that delivers enterprise-quality voice over IP for small offices. Like GoDaddy, FreedomVoice further differentiates itself by providing customized customer care from knowledgeable experts who take pride in solving problems.

"GoDaddy has 14 million customers and many of them have struggled to find affordable and simple telephony solutions," said Steven Aldrich, Chief Product Officer, GoDaddy. "FreedomVoice is a natural fit with GoDaddy as we both share a common goal: to harness the power of the cloud to deliver products that fit the specific needs of small businesses, coupled with customized, empathetic customer care."

"At FreedomVoice our mission has always been to help companies start, run and grow, and we're ecstatic to join GoDaddy who is just as passionate about helping small businesses succeed," said FreedomVoice CEO Eric Thomas. "There is great synergy between our companies and our team can't wait to get started on delivering the next generation of voice to small businesses around the world."

Mr. Thomas will become Telephony Revenue and Integration Officer at GoDaddy.

GoDaddy recently created a new Telephony business unit to oversee the Company's communication products strategy and execution, including products related to FreedomVoice. The business unit will be led by Intuit and small business veteran Barry Saik, who recently joined GoDaddy as General Manager and Senior Vice President, Telephony.

FreedomVoice products will continue to be available online and through partners. GoDaddy and FreedomVoice plan to deliver new cloud-based voice products in the near future.

FreedomVoice will continue to maintain offices in Encinitas, California.

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy's mission is to radically shift the global economy toward small businesses by empowering people to easily start, confidently grow and successfully run their own ventures. With 14 million customers worldwide and 62 million domain names under management, GoDaddy gives small business owners the tools to name their idea, build a beautiful online presence, attract customers and manage their business. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

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SOURCE GoDaddy Inc.