About Us

ABOUT DNACADEMY

WHERE YOU’RE GOING, AND HOW WE HELP YOU GET THERE

VISION

To help students from all disciplines (e.g., founders, marketers, investors and brokers) achieve their domain name goals.

MISSION

We provide a tried-and-proven methodology, toolset and support system for every student at every stage of their unique domain name journey. And we sprinkle it with inspiration. ✨

CORE VALUES

Objectivity

We base our strategies and tactics are based on repeatable, unbiased, time-tested processes — while understanding that subjectivity and “art” can never be fully removed.

Clarity

We tell you what you need to know, not everything there is to know. We teach you to use only the best tools, not every tool that’s available. We remove or identify bias wherever possible.

Patience

We serve students who take a long-term, proactive approach to domain names rather than those who make short-term, reactive decisions.

Confidence

We help you grow in knowledge about domains and share the wisdom that comes from past experiences. This mix of knowledge and wisdom builds confidence.

Integrity

We teach and expect students to always act in a trustworthy and honest manner.

Relationships

We encourage long-lasting bonds with partners, clients and fellow entrepreneurs by listening and engaging in positive, courteous and respectful dialogue.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Michael Cyger, Domain Name Academy Instructor

Hi, I’m Michael Cyger.

In 2008, I started angel investing in Seattle tech startups after the successful sale of and exit of my media company, CTQ Media.

As an investor, I found that every startup with a cool-sounding brand had a terrible domain name. Startups have a hard enough time in today’s economy; these companies couldn’t quite afford a poorly-selected domain name.

Because I had experience buying domain names for my company in the past, they asked for help. But I quickly found myself just as confused as them. That’s why I started DomainSherpa — to interview those “in the know.”

As founder of DomainSherpa, I built a cache of educational content that won multiple industry awards, including:
Domain Name Investing Awards Received by Michael Cyger

In the process of learning, I acquired killer exact-match domains for my businesses that have added hundreds of thousands of dollars of value to my business, helped startup businesses acquire their ideal domain names (and defensive registrations), and acquired some killer brands like Brew.com, Dragonfly.com, and Deadbolt.com.

Today, I want to give back to others what took me years to learn through the “school of hard knocks.” I built DNAcademy to help entrepreneurs of all types: startup founders, investors, webmasters, and marketers.

With a finger always on the pulse of the domain name industry, I ensure that DNAcademy is always up-to-date, always 100% accurate.

Michael Cyger

TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS

"The domain name valuation process was the most valuable part of the course for me. Without this you are relying on guesswork. All in all, I would recommend the course and have already to my brother in Australia."
Tony Stinson
Individual Investor
"It's something I recommend to anyone starting out in the domain industry. It cuts your learning curve in half, saving you thousands of $ in time and money. Take the course!"
Keith deBoer
Domain Name Investor / @BrandTapper
"DNAcademy is great and I highly recommend it - I have been learning a lot as I go through the course. It covers everything and has a nice and easy interface so you can pick up where you left off. The forums are helpful and I’ve noticed some other park.io users posting there. The cost of the course will definitely pay off, no matter what type of domain investor you are."
Mike Carson
Founder / Park.io
"I recommend that you take this course if you are serious about domain investing. It is well structured and covers everything you must know to get started. If domain investing could have a manual, then I believe this to be it!"
Olav Németh
Investor / FlipAnIcon
"DNAcademy and DomainSherpa are the absolute best resources for concentrated knowledge and a gift to the business..."
NameTurtle
Individual Investor / NamePros Discussion
"I've seen a lot of different resources come and go over the years and right now from where I'm sitting I'd have to say the two best sources of realistic advice on domain name investing come from Domain Sherpa (and his course DNAcademy) and Rick Schwartz." (via blog)
Morgan Linton
Entrepreneur & Investor / MorganLinton.com
"DNAcademy is a phenomenal course. It is very comprehensive and thorough, and full of pragmatic and useful information. I've learned a great deal about the world of domain name investing! And having spent years in business education and communications, I recognize when a training program is well-designed. It's also easy to navigate and chock full of helpful tips and resources."
Judy May
Investor
"Of course, anyone can still take the DIY path - there are many great free resources on the web that allow you to do  that - but for those to whom time 'time is money' I think DNAcademy will prove to be a very welcome addition to the domain industry landscape."
Ron Jackson
DNJournal.com
"To Cyger's credit, the man is methodical to no end."
Andrew Rosener
CEO / Media Options
"Isn't it better to invest in education instead of spending thousands of dollars on renewals or buying worthless domains? I certainly thought so, and I am glad I did! DNAcademy is not only the perfect place to get proper education, but reaches into the very DNA of a domain name investor. Michael's 6x6 Matrix might spare you hours of pointless cold-calling, and another tactic might teach you how to find and compare other domain sales so that you don't undervalue a great domain that you have. My only wish is that I found out about this sooner."
Goran Duškić
Founder / WhoAPI
"Michael Cyger’s DNAcademy lessons on [outbound domain sales] are something we recommend."
Kevin Fink
COO / Starfire Web Holdings
"This is one of the best online training courses I have ever had. The definitions, histories, examples, scenarios, backgrounds, stand procedures are very well presented in the course. Personally I found VALUATION METRICS, TUTORIAL VALUATIONS and SELLING DOMAIN NAMES most useful."
Kris Hou
Domain Broker / Uniregistry.com
"Thank goodness for DNAcademy! It has saved me hours of hit and miss research on how to invest in domain names. This course is perfect for new and seasoned investors."
Teresa Johnson
Kapiti Coast, New Zealand
"I'd recommend DNAcademy as a good place to start." [Watch Video]
Frank Schilling
Founder & CEO / Uniregistry
"I'm very happy with DNAcademy because a year ago I didn't know where to find a scientific method to evaluate domains and to learn tactics. There are many sources out there, but this is the only academy for domain investors. Although the DomainSherpa show is excellent, DNAcademy is truly the way to go for beginners and some intermediate investors."
Luis Rivera
Investor
"The most valuable part of the course for me was the tutorial valuations section by far, especially because of the valuation quizzes. I highly recommend this course to anyone remotely interested in domain investing."
Philippe Auclair
Investor
"For the past few days I have been working my way through the new online domain name course put together by Michael Cyger from DomainSherpa.com. It is called DNAcademy and I have to say that it is very well put together and easy to work through. The course is targeted at the beginner to intermediate domain name investor but, that being said, I have still found many nuggets of wisdom in the course that have given me new ideas for my domain name investing strategy."
Ed Keay-Smith
OzDomainer.com
SobroDomains
Investor / SobroDomains.com
"I'm not sure but I might be the first Korean learner in the DNAcademy course. Before registering for the course, I was confused about domain valuations when registering, backordering and buying. After taking the course, I am confident how to choose good domains. English is not my native language, but all lessons with tutorial movies had transcriptions so I could easily follow along. The course exceeded my expectations and I was very satisfied."
Hyunji Cho (조현지)
Investor
"We often look a domain names sales and make assumptions about what is selling but we don't understand why, which can have a very bad result. In DNAcademy, the comprehensive lessons make complex topics very easy to understand and summary quizzes drive home the most important topics. In short, DNAcademy provides a clear-cut guide to building your skills to be a confident domain name investor. This course will take you from presumer to a predictor with precision! My favorite part of the course is the tutorial valuations section where you see all of pieces of the puzzle coming together to give you the definitive path to domain name investing. My sincere thanks to Michael Cyger for taking the effort to put all in one place and offering it at an affordable price."
Ravi Sekhar Veenam
Individual Investor
"Michael Cyger is the best educator our industry has!"
Andrew Rosener
CEO / Media Options
"As a webmaster, I help my clients use their domain names for their website and email, but DNAcademy expanded my awareness of the marketing value of having a great domain name. I also can better advise clients that want to purchase a name they thought was 'unavailable,' or sell a name they didn't realize was valuable. DNAcademy is a treasure trove of insider domain industry knowledge!"
Mary Motz
Principal and Founder / ProVirtual Solutions
"DNAcademy is amazing. The course cuts a TREMENDOUS amount of time off the learning process. I can't imagine learning all of these topics through trial and error and I don't think that I could have afforded that education."
Robert Hascall
Investor
"I really enjoyed DNAcademy. It was laid out very well, and I like being able to go back and make sure I understand things completely if I have questions about them later in the course. I feel excited and prepared to start investing!"
Brandon Lau
Investor
"The clarity of the course was great. I invested in domain names during my study so I already had knowledge about domain investing. I really think new investors will be able to understand everything because it is very clear (the video's are excellent!). I also like the summary you can print before every section, and the negotiation case studies are also very valuable because that part is always tricky and there are a lot of techniques."
Nick van Leeuwen
Founder / StartCreating.com
"Although I have been selling domain names full-time, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to sign up to DNAcademy -- and I'm glad I did! There were many tools and little tricks and tips which either I didn't know about or had forgotten about. I have to say the course is extremely well designed and very clear. Really a treasure trove of great information for domain name investors. I will definitely go back and visit many sections of the course to refresh my memory and continue to hone my skills!"
Saro Berejikian
Individual Investor / TheBrandable.com
"I am new to domain investing and I needed to figure out how successful investors bought and sold domains. DNAcademy provided me with all the practical tools necessary to make money as a part-time domain investor. I recommend this to any new domain investor who wants to become an instant insider!"
Todd W. Fisher, Phy.D.
Aliso Viejo, CA
"The packed collection of knowledge, actionable advice, and concrete examples contained in the DNAcademy course is certainly unique. In particular, the course material is comprehensive, first-hand, and constantly kept up-to-date and expanded by Michael Cyger. He is not just one of the top experts in the domain-name industry, but also takes a genuine interest in the success of his students. I particularly profited from the exercise portions of the course. Keep up the excellent work!"
Andreas Krassnigg
Investor / Booming Domains
"I was just so excited about putting everything I learned to work, that I didn't want to stop. I finally have a business domain name, website and signature along with the email setup with Gmail. I'm getting closer to the part where I can actually start buying and selling.There's no way I could have done this without the course. Maybe others could have, but knowing myself, if I had to gather all the info from the course on my own through research, I would have quit before gathering it all.I like the way the course was set up, step by step, the way you explained it, slowly, with videos and video transcripts."
Amir Ali
Investor / DomainRetain.com
"DNAcademy is a must take course for domain investors. Understanding the details about the metrics that go into valuation has helped me."
Raymond Linus
Investor / DNWallet.com
“The DNAcademy course has everything. It's the most comprehensive, extremely well put together and laid out course that I've taken. This course takes you through every level of domain investing, whether you are just starting out or have experience. The self-check quiz after each section is invaluable to ensure you understand and learn what’s been taught, and with the private discussion forum to ask further questions and the small DNA groups to brainstorm ideas in confidence. I’m now looking forward to implementing all I've been taught to confidently buy and sell domains and make money.”
Richard Merry
Investor / Name Whizz
"DNAcademy is definitely the domain insider's information that can't be found in other programs I've tried. I never heard of Mike Cyger until I started to watch YouTube videos, then it was like 'who is this guy?!"
L. Mack
Investor
"DNAcademy is suitable for beginners as well as for professionals. Every investor will find interesting topics. To learn all the information that Michael provides in this course, you would need to spend a few years of your own experience and searching the internet. I recommend DNAcademy."
Dariusz Bastian
Investor / DB Domain Names
"I don't think DNAcademy was around [when I was learning to invest in domain names]...but if it was around at that time I would have for sure signed up."
Josh Reason
Investor / Premium Brands
"I have been watching Mike do the DomainSherpa.com show for years and jumped at the opportunity to join DNAcademy -- which proved to be a great financial decision. Mike is one of the best educators in the domain industry and I feel fortunate that he has displayed his mindset so others can learn from it. I have learnt a lot and will continue to do so from DNAcademy, and highly recommend everyone to join ASAP."
Noor Manji
Investor
"I have been investing in domain names for a number of years. Over time, I have gained knowledge and picked up useful information from here and there, but I have always felt that something is lacking, preventing me from being a professional investor.

For this reason, I signed up for the DNAcademy course and it's one of the best decisions I will ever make in domaining. The course covers everything from A-Z and it's all in one place, clear and easy to follow. For myself, the course provided all the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, and learning how to correctly value each of the six types of domain names was my main benefit. I feel that I have become a better investor as I have learned how to utilise various tools -- that are demonstrated in the course -- to gather all the information I need for any domain. I can confidently back up my domain valuations with facts and reasoning. The learning doesn't stop when the course ends, as there are groups setup of DNAcademy students whereby you can continue to share and build upon your skills and knowledge. If you are passionate about domain name investing and looking to kick-start your business, then DNAcademy is by far the best way to go. An excellent training course put together by one of the most well known, highly respected professionals in the industry."
Majid Younas
Investor
"There are so many more resources available now than when I started. Read all of the domain forums, blogs and business articles you can. Network like crazy on NamePros, Linkedin, Facebook, and in person. Give more than you receive in any way you can. Take courses that feed your curiosity. I recommend the DNAcademy course from Mike Cyger." (In response to the NamePros.com interview question, "Could you share with us some tips for the new domainers to do self-training?")
Richard Lau
Founder / NamesCon
"This is by far the best online course I have ever taken in my life. Period. It totally exceeded my expectations - I expected high course quality, but such a big knowledge quantity that Mike exposed here really surprised me (which is a great thing, of course!)."
Tom Sostarko
Investor
"This was a well rounded course and covered a lot of information. It was worth every penny. My only regrets are not going through the course in a timely manner and taking poor notes."
Shawn Bekir
Individual Investor
"Love DNAcademy. I should have taken it years ago."
Matthew Mazur
Investor
Joshua Schoen
Investor / Ultra Domains
"This morning I wrapped up the course it was amazing. Instead of throwing darts and hoping for a bullseye, I now have a tried and tested system for valuation and the knowledge I need going forward."
Ryan Descafano
Investor / DomainLift
"This course explains exactly why some domains are valuable, and some are never going to make you anything...My Mother could go through this course and become a domain name investor – that’s how thorough the course has been so far!"
Adrian
Investor and Entrepreneur / NZDomainer
Aline Carriere
Investor / UpstartNames
"Awesome program and great lessons. Highly recommended for domainers."
Umar Saeed‏
Individual Investor
"The course is pretty freaking amazing and I personally learned a lot from it. The best thing about the course -- other than it is filled with great information -- is the fact that it is so simple to read, understand and straight to the point."
Mohamed El Zaafarani
Investor / DNMiner.com
Ramón Escoto
Investor / Domains Guy
"For someone that is serious [about domain name investing], I would definitely recommend it."
Marlin Shanklin
Investor
"For me the value of this course was the amount of time and effort it saved me versus trying to learn domaining on my own. I can't even imagine how much money I would have wasted if I hadn't stumbled on this course when I did."
Christina Dille
Individual Investor
"This course has really set me up for early success in a business where it seems many fall at the first hurdle. I think the most important lessons for me have been: start out slow, learn the skills detailed in the course BEFORE you start buying a ton of domains, and make considered and informed decisions. I have no doubt whatsoever that I have seen major ROI on this course already. Even in terms of money saved on the harebrained hand registrations that I would no doubt have gotten carried away with, were it not for what I learned in DNAcademy. Highly recommended -- make this the first step in you domain investment journey."
Dan Beck
Individual Investor
"I should have told you this a few months ago. But I really thank you and DNAcademy for my success in domaining. I've already made 6 figures for 2018 working as a broker with Starfire Holdings. I do the outbound work because I really love it. But honestly, I wouldn't be any good at it if it wasn't for you and DNAcademy. So thanks so very much. In 2 short years, I'm listed as a PRO on NamePros. Honestly, Mike, that wouldn't have happened without you."
Candace Cooke
Domain Name Broker / Starfire Holdings
"Before taking DNAcademy I had no idea how to pick and value a domain. I now know what to look for and what has value. DNAcademy provided me that step by step road map. DNAcademy is a perfect course to fast track your education in domain investing."
Jack Parolini
Jacksonville, FL
"DNAcademy is professional and excellent, and I will recommend it to everybody, any day, any time. The price of the course is worth much more than I paid; having completed the course, I would have been happy to pay $997."
Muhammad Isah
Individual Investor
"Realizing that domain investing is a wealth-building tool today and into the future, I began purchasing domains for my portfolio a few years back planning to produce an income stream. I realized that now that my portfolio was substantial it was the perfect time to begin my business, but I also realized how ill prepared I was and began seeking out websites, books and videos to educate myself to the domain reselling business. I didn't realize how much I didn't know about this opportunity. Confused, I continued to research to a level of frustration until I came upon the DNAcademy. You took me from a portfolio holder who was totally unsure of the domain reselling adventure to an informed domain reseller entrepreneur looking forward to participating front and center with confidence, tools and most of all a new community of like minded forward thinkers in this growing industry. Just wanted to put a big thank you out there as I sit here negotiating on one of my domain sites with an anxious buyer. Thank you so very much."
MaryBeth Mills Muldowney
Braintree, MA
"Prior to taking the course, I found understanding the market quite difficult. DNAcademy provided an overview of tools, techniques and context that has greatly improved my comprehension of domain valuation and the secondary market. I recommend DNAcademy to anyone who is interested in learning more about domain investing."
Parker Kaback
Casco Viejo, Panama
"Having self taught domain investing through reading various blogs and forums, DNAcademy put everything I had learnt and then some all in one place with a fantastic step by step process. I was pleasantly surprised with how many new techniques and approaches to investing I learned. In particular the outbound sales section, which has allowed me to grow Wordr.com from a hobby to a career."
Matt Holden
Individual Investor / Wordr.com
"As someone that has taken the DNAcademy course, I can honestly say it's the best investment you can make in your education if you plan on continuing your domain investment journey. From beginning to end, you won't be disappointed. Even after completing the course, you'll find yourself going back to it often if for nothing more than a refresher."
Lee Latner
Investor / namePros Discussion
"I can't say enough good things about DNAcademy!The lessons, tools and useable real-life lessons are unmatched – and I have done the research over the last several years to validate that. I was able to take what I learned and immediately put it to use.And DNAcademy works! I just closed my first sale acting as a buyer's agent and profited $2,600, and had fun doing it. Because I was able to acquire the domain so well for my client, I'm likely going to get a mid five-figure budget for their next acquisition.Finally, Michael gave me the encouragement I needed to get the deal moving. I cannot thank him enough for the personal support and open interactions. That is rare these days in any industry."
Brian Hayes
Investor / DNRevolution.com
Steve Whitby
SEO Expert / Steve Whitby SEO
"The DNAcademy was a surprise and boon. I had just come from Namescon where once again I was overwhelmed with information, opportunity and an ever expanding field of knowledge. The course literally pulled it all together in an organized, informed and in many cases enlightened manner. This is not theory. This program is based on factual examples, tools and strategies that I am 100% sure will change the course of my investment strategies. In my opinion it should be required reading for any person interested in domain investing."
John Copen
New York, NY
"The course was packed with the best information all in one spot. As a newbie, you want to progress with your business and it is great having this course to reference whenever I need help. Thanks for the great work."
William Cuva
Investor / VegasDomains.Vegas
"The DNAcademy course is the most comprehensive online course for domain names. Michael leaves no stone unturned to explain everything in detail. He really wants the student to succeed!"
Meyer Schnitzler
Brooklyn, NY
"Prior to DNAcademy, I read every website I could find about domain investing but I was still very confused. The course was a logical, cohesive, step-by-step training guide to investing. Now I have the tools I need to be successful and now I am ready to conquer. If you're new to domain investing, take this course before you waste another dollar - you will be better for it in the long run."
Candace Cooke
Brooklyn, NY
"Domain investing was confusing, overwhelming and frustrating. But DNAcademy provided the theory, framework and educational foundation that I was looking for. I now feel empowered as an investor. I highly recommend DNAcademy to anyone who wants to start investing in domain names."
John Burgos Jr.
New York, NY
"Where was this course 20 years ago when I entered the space! If you follow this course and invest the time you will see profits in a short amount of time. Michael provides you all the tools to succeed."
Dan Rubin
Founder & President / JustDropped.com
"I just made my first sale since finishing DNAcademy. You might remember I was asking about it during the late night (for me in Vietnam) office hours. Stasis.net sold for $3000. I just wanted to say thanks for the great class."
Bryan Duc Truong
Individual Investor
"Domain Name Academy has been a rich and practical source of information and tools that have helped me value and sell domains much more effectively. Michael Cyger has proven to be a trustworthy man of his word, quickly responding to my queries and impartially sharing what seems in my best interests in each situation. I've found my permanent domain business home and my most knowledgeable and supportive guru."
Roy Davis Varner
Individual Investor
"The case studies provided were particularly valuable as you get to see the hidden nuances of a given negotiation. Reading about the thought process when considering how to respond to a potential buyer’s comments/questions was also insightful and would be of benefit to both investor and entrepreneur."
Craig
Private Investor
"I took the DNA course and while I agree that most of the information can be found for free elsewhere, I found no better resource for concise, trustworthy information. It might have saved me many hours and thousands of dollars if I’d found it earlier."
NameTree
Investor / namePros Discussion
“This has been a great course and I plan to go through it again multiple times. Highlights are the personal experiences from Mike in his journey, DomainSherpa excerpts from successful domainers, reality checks (this is not a get rich quick scheme), info on running a business and tax implications, long term investing, and challenging self-check quizzes.”
Lukas Rathswohl
Investor / Hudson Domains
"Very helpful feedback on my valuation quiz! And I love everything I've learned so far. Great course! Thanks again for the quick reply and taking the time out to get me that feedback. You rock! You have a gift for teaching."
Mir Ali
Duluth, GA
"I purchased a $70 expired name and sold it within 6 months for $5,000. I could not have done it without what I learned in DNAcademy about using dropping domain tools, finding relevant comparable sales, and negotiating a successful transaction."
Mark Richardson
Individual Investor / Sixth Sense Domains
"If you're on the fence on whether to join DNAcademy, jump! In addition to the already outstanding course curriculum which guides you through the entire process of domain name investing from soup to nuts, the value of all of the 'extras' alone are worth far more than the tuition costs. From regularly scheduled and private webinars to exclusive discounts with industry leaders, DNAcademy actually saves you money and continues to add benefits long after you complete the course. You will keep coming back (I know I do) to see what's been updated, added and upgraded. My highest recommendation."
Alex Chung
Investor / Market + Brand
"With DNAcademy and Mike's help, I saved at least $3,000 on the purchase of my company's domain name and hundreds more per year on renewals."
Rob Rector
Founder & CEO / Experi.com
"The DNAcademy course is a must-have introduction and advanced guide on how to make money buying and selling domains. Half-way through the course I realized the mistakes I made prior to the course. I strongly recommend DNAcademy to anyone who wants to be successful in the domain business."
Marek Hajnce
Dublin, Ireland
"By following the valuation, purchasing, outbound email and negotiation processes outlined by DNAcademy, I was able to turn a $300 purchase into a $3,300 sale within 24 hours! This course is the most analytical, comprehensive and efficient aggregation of all things domaining. It's an absolute game changer for domain investors of any level."
Albert Ndegwa
Investor
"Comprehensive, expert information delivered with real-world examples that teach. As an educator, I value the engagement with materials and personnel that went beyond instruction and got me involved. I continue to benefit long after taking the online class. The documents, resources and tools offer ongoing value that is priceless in my opinion. DNAcademy holds it's value for beginners and experienced alike."
Dr. John Elcik
Entrepreneur / identityXperts
"Best domaining course out there." (via Twitter)
Domain Broker
@DomainBrokerLDN
"Firstly, do research. Do not just hand register names. If you have a bit of spare cash and want to learn some good knowledge, I would recommend doing Mike Cyger's DNAcademy as he has years of knowledge." (In response to the NamePros.com interview question, "What's your top tip for anyone just starting out in domain investing?")
James Booth
Broker, BQDN.com
"I believe a new online course from Mike Cyger, publisher of DomainSherpa, is a good resource for people just getting their feet wet in domain name investing...I think novice investors can recoup [the DNAcademy tuition] quickly in terms of time saved and money saved not buying bad domain names (or finding a good one to flip)."
Andrew Allemann
DomainNameWire.com
"If you're a rank beginner, or maybe you've even bought or sold a name or two, DNAcademy will give you a solid grounding in the essentials of the cybermarket...This isn't the first site offering courses in name trading, but it's the first that we've heard lauded by Frank Schilling, considered by some to be the Warren Buffet of domain name trading...That's high praise from a man who has fifteen years experience as a trader, registry, registrar and market-maker."
Peter Moon
Australian Financial Review
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