New top level domain (TLD) applications
raise high financial stakes for the applicants. Those seeking new TLDs
will have invested at least half a million dollars to prepare and submit
their proposal, and many of the companies involved have raised millions
more in backing from investors or venture capital firms. In aggregate,
applicants plunked down about $250 million in application fees alone.
http://www.internetgovernance.org/2013/01/11/early-warnings-of-corruption-in-icann/
Gideon Rop,
DotConnectAfrica