-61%

est. 2Y upside i

CybersecuritySeries D+

Rank

#4105

Sector

Cybersecurity, Networking, DNS

Est. Liquidity

~1Y

Data Quality

Data: Medium

Nominum was acquired by Akamai Technologies in November 2017 for $180M, which matched its last known funding valuation.

Last updated: March 10, 2026

Bull (10%)+100%

Stronger than anticipated market demand for carrier-grade DNS security and a bidding war among strategic acquirers could have pushed the acquisition price to $360M, doubling the last known valuation of $180M.

Base (45%)0%

The company maintains its market position and is acquired by a strategic player like Akamai for $180M, aligning with its last known valuation and reflecting the competitive market for DNS solutions.

Bear (45%)-50%

Intensified competition from incumbents like Infoblox and BlueCat, coupled with slower-than-expected adoption of new features, could have led to an acquisition at a discounted valuation of $90M, significantly impacting common stock value due to liquidation preferences.

Est. time to liquidity~0.5 years

Preference Stack Risk

high

Funding Intensity

25%

Investors contributed $45M in total funding. In an exit at $180M, this meant a 25% investor take, implying that $45M would go to preferred shareholders first, potentially leaving $135M for common shareholders if preferences were 1x.

Dilution Risk

high

The 12-year gap between the Series D funding in 2005 and the acquisition in 2017 suggests a high likelihood of significant dilution through unannounced funding rounds or extensive option grants over that period.

Secondary Liquidity

none

As a private company acquired in 2017, there was no indication of active secondary markets or tender offers for Nominum equity prior to its acquisition.

Questions to Ask at the Interview

Strategic questions based on Nominum's data — designed to show you've done your homework.

  • 1

    “Given Akamai's acquisition of Nominum, how has Nominum's original product roadmap and strategic vision evolved under Akamai's larger portfolio, particularly concerning the 'SKYE Cloud Services' mentioned in recent news?”

  • 2

    “Before the acquisition, Nominum operated in a highly competitive market with a 'high incumbent threat.' How did Nominum differentiate its carrier-grade DNS solutions against larger players like Infoblox and BlueCat to secure its customer base?”

  • 3

    “Considering Nominum's acquisition by Akamai, what are the opportunities for career growth and impact for an employee joining the team that originated from Nominum, now integrated into a large public company?”

Community

Valuation Sentiment

Our model estimates -61% upside. What do you think?

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Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute financial or career advice. Always conduct your own due diligence.