True Acquisition Costs (2024)
Stop referencing outdated retail prices. We analyze the actual capital required to secure a 4-letter or dictionary .com in the current market.
Founders frequently benchmark their expectations against public sales from a decade ago. The reality is that the floor for premium liquidity assets has shifted aggressively upward.
| Asset Class | Historical (2014) | Current Floor (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-Letter LLLL.com (Pronounceable) | $15k - $30k | $75k - $150k+ |
| 1-Word Dictionary (Common) | $250k - $500k | $1.2M - $5.0M+ |
| Brandable 5-Letter CVCVC | $5k - $10k | $25k - $60k |
Capital Allocation Strategy
If you are raising a Series A, the standard allocation for a primary category-defining asset is currently 2-4% of the round. Attempting to secure a Tier 1 asset with less capital signals a lack of seriousness to brokers and often results in stalled negotiations.
For more diagnostics, calculate your Name Length Friction or check out Negotiation Protocols.