ShortDot Registry Submits 40 Applications for New gTLDs

ShortDot Registry, the Irish company behind the .icu domain, has submitted 40 applications to ICANN’s 2026 New gTLD Program, aiming to introduce 80 new, short, and memorable generic top-level domain (gTLD) strings. The applications include a diverse range of strings designed to be easy to remember and suitable for various industries and purposes.

Lars Jensen, the founder and CEO of ShortDot Registry, expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the ICANN application round. "We began our registry journey in 2018 with .icu, and everything we have built since then has been possible because registrars, partners, and registrants placed their trust in us. We carry that trust into this round with enormous gratitude and a clear sense of responsibility."

The portfolio of 40 primary applied-for strings and 40 designated replacement strings includes names that are short, generic, and meaningful. Each string is only three or four letters long, reflecting the company’s philosophy that strong domain extensions should be concise, easy to remember, and flexible enough for individuals to use creatively. The strings cover a wide range of categories, including AI and technology, action and utility, business and ambition, identity and collaboration, culture and expression, lifestyle and wellbeing, and everyday digital language.

Some of the proposed strings include .agi, .api, .hub, .ask, .find, .ace, .hero, .fam, .vibe, .heal, and .zen. These names are intended to be simple, memorable, and broad enough to grow and adapt to future needs. "Short is more than our name. It is the idea behind this portfolio," Jensen added. "We looked for names that are simple enough to understand, memorable enough to stay with you, and broad enough to grow. The names may be short, but the commitment behind them must be long. If we earn the opportunity to operate any of these extensions, the real work will just be beginning."

Each application includes both an applied-for string and a designated replacement string. The company is presenting all 80 strings together, without identifying their status or pairing. The complete categorized portfolio is available at https://www.shortdot.bond/80.

ShortDot Registry currently manages more than 4 million domains and works with over 400 registrar partners worldwide. Its registry services include .buzz and .qpon, and it has recently been entrusted with managing and growing .lk and .hiphop. The company has a history of building and operating successful domain extensions, and its latest applications reflect its commitment to innovation and user-friendly domain names.

The 80 strings are part of ShortDot Registry's ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the domain name market. While the applications are currently under evaluation by ICANN, the company remains committed to the process and is ready to do the work if given the opportunity.