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 INSTRUCTORS
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:
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.
Hi, I’m Aline Carriere.
I’m a lawyer and domain investor. In both pursuits I’m constantly looking for an angle; a new or unique spin. I love puzzles, word games, and mystery stories.
I’ve always been a self-classified “word nerd” and my passion for words led me to domain names. I got my start with naming contests at NameStation.com, Freelancer, and SquadHelp, then went on to register some domains of my own to list at the brandable marketplaces. After a few sales, I bought a portfolio of 300 brandable domain names in 2017 and haven’t looked back.
Brandables – mainly 2-word compound brandables and blended – are my forté, and I enjoy creating and finding outstanding names.
I help Michael with everything DNAcademy – from assisting in updating lessons, to writing new lessons, providing feedback on valuations in the discussion forum, and compiling the student newsletter.
Hi, I’m Jason Sheppard.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I switched careers from DJing to full-time domain name investor (although I still love “spinning” records and videos whenever I can).
I manage a personal portfolio of about 5,000 domain names, and a separate portfolio fund of about 1,500 domain names.
Everyday I’m spending time in the major marketplaces – like Afternic, Sedo and Dan – understanding the subtle nuances and looking for ways to simplify and optimize my investing strategies and tactics.
I am the DNAcademy Accelerator batch #2 co-instructor with Michael and have a passion to help new investors.
Hi, I’m James Iles.
I’m an investor, broker, and writer within the domain name industry.
Since 2015, I have written over 650 articles on domain names largely based around acquisition news, uncovering domain sales, and producing data-driven articles. My work has been quoted and referenced in leading news outlets such as TechCrunch, TheVerge, and Gizmodo.
Aside from writing, I have been an active domain investor, buying and selling domain names such as Correlation.com, StayCool.com, and GrabFood.com.
I have worked with Michael and DNAcademy to produce the ultimate library of standard operating procedures in existence for the domain name industry.
TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS
I went through DNAcademy where it is literally all spelled out for you. It is an A-Z course in domain investing. We should be grateful as an industry that something like this exists. Because I can't think of any comparable course for any other industry I've been apart of.
Yes, you still have to make mistakes. But to spend hundreds of dollars on garbage domains when you could invest that in an accelerated education is the kind of stubbornness that prevents 98% of "domainers" from ever making money.
The DNAcademy course and instructors are THE REAL DEAL. Thank you Michael Cyger, Aline Carriere and James Iles. My biggest regret is I did not take advantage of this course sooner. If you put in the time and work in this course you will be prepared and equipped to make the decisions to profitable serve yourself and/or your clients. The value of this course FAR outweighs the tuition. I highly endorse DNAcademy.
Learn how to invest the right way, and the place to do that is -- no doubt -- DNAcademy. You will not be sorry.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is thinking about getting into domain investing or any existing investors who want to upgrade their knowledge or connect with other domain name investors in the industry.
Michael, I want to personally thank you for all the time, effort, and passion that you put into creating such a comprehensive domain investing course.
I found all of the course to be extremely valuable. If I had to choose what I felt was the most valuable part of the course, it would be those sections dealing with valuations.
The first thing I learned from the valuations lessons was that I didn’t know what I was doing when it came to selecting domain names. After performing valuation analyses on a number of domain names that I already own, I quickly realized that I had wasted a lot of money on many domain names.
I suppose it’s like the saying goes, “if you think education is expensive, try ignorance”. I don’t know who said that, but it really does ring true. Fortunately, I invested in the DNAcademy course. The course has more than paid for itself in the money that I won’t be spending on useless domains and their renewal fees. In addition, I learned valuable lessons on how to properly select outstanding domain names for my projects.
For those who want to get into domain investing or those looking for the perfect domain name for their business, the DNAcademy course is an absolute must!
Thank you again, Michael! Keep up the great work!
For someone that is serious [about domain name investing], I would definitely recommend it.
Quite simply, I cannot say enough good about this course.
I learned a lot about buying and selling domain names and I highly, highly recommend it.
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.
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.
DNAcademy 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.
Nobody is going to tell you so much about the industry...You'll never feel alone. I highly recommend this course.
Become a sharpened and more attuned domain investor. DNAcademy is the essential course, highly recommended!
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.
So many people have said it before me, but here goes: DNAcademy IS the only place where one can gather all the essential knowledge (and so much more) to tap into the domaining industry.
Brilliantly formatted and explained, step by step, one can grasp the infinite complexity and sophistication of this unique niche trade.
DNAcademy to me was not only a domaining school but also a business school and a life school that reached far beyond the world of domaining. A structured, safe place compounding 20+ years of savvy, allowing all students to create contacts and friendships that are worth 100 times the cost of tuition.
Michael Cyger is an ingenious teacher/communicator and his skills, kindness and devotion match the rigor of his online learning platform.
The only route to success for aspiring domain investors is through DNAcademy. Offer yourself this gift. You cannot afford not to. The time and money you will save by not shooting in the dark will allow you to up your game for a fraction of the effort or cost.
Questionable content about domaining pours all over the Internet. Don't make the initial mistakes I did trying to make it 'on my own'.
Join DNAcademy and harvest the rewards! Self-discipline and constant feedback come as bonuses!
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.
I have been in the Internet business since 1995 and have built many significant sites, invested in over 1,000 domains, managed the domains of other very notable people (Daymond John of FUBU and Shark Tank, Congressman Lester Wolff, and many others), and have consulted to C level executives for many decades. Michael Cyger's depth of knowledge in the domaining" industry is second to none. Further he has taken the time to devote his sharing of this knowledge professionally, creatively and in a most organized and well thought out process.
I would highly recommend this site to any person who has an interest in making passive or active income in domaining. Where else on this planet can you make gains in the thousands of percent if you just follow the advice that has marginal cost.
DNAcademy is a great investment in domaining and should be your first.
DNAcademy is worth everything you can pay...it costs as much as you would spend on one good name at GoDaddy.
In 2008, someone contacted me wanting a domain I intended to develop. I sold it for $10,000.
What a disaster! I started buying domains to sell, hundreds of them. They all looked good to me.
But I wasn't selling them, and I was paying horrendous renewal fees each year. "How to Go Broke in Domaining" -- I could write the book!
Finally in 2020 I got 20-20 domaining vision. I took off my rose-colored glasses, and joined DNAcademy.
What an informative, inspiring, invigorating and depressing journey! ("Wait, did he say 'depressing'?!" Yeah, that's when I learned how worthless so many of my domains were, and how foolish so many of my strategies had been. But no more!)
DNAcademy covers everything you need to know (and a lot more that might come in handy) in order to become a master domainer. The different types of domains, how to valuate each type, how to buy them strategically, how to sell them effectively, how to structure your efforts as a profitable business tailored to your specific needs, and all the best tools and resources to support you in each of these arenas.
(Some of the best tools are available only within DNAcademy.)
Not only that. There's also the invaluable personal element -- the opportunity to network with other helpful DNAcademy members, including Michael himself, the original 'Domain Sherpa.' (Yes, once you're in, he's very involved and accessible. Not remote, not an 'absentee landlord' kind of guru at all. He cares. He cares about you, your integrity and your success. Really.)
Bottom line: DNAcademy is worth every penny -- if you really want to make money in domaining, that is.
What else can I say? Only this: Sign up, and you'll see that nothing I've said here is hype. It's all true. That's why I'm putting my name to it.
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.
I loved EVERYTHING about DNAcademy. Seriously, the course is GREAT! I only wish I had taken this course before I spend £3k buying insignificant domains. Now I can start again! Really, Michael Cyger does genuinely share his experience, skill, insight, and secrets in buying and selling domains! 🙂
This course is the first “domain name” investment you need in starting domaining!
Luckily for me, I found DNAcademy.
The course has all the information necessary for a domain investor. If you go on to collect that information all by yourself, you will waste a lot of time, energy, motivation, and money on useless domains.
For me personally, it was everything that I needed.
Michael & DNAcademy have done an incredible job at covering all the angles of domain name investing, ranging from in depth valuations to taxation & potential legal issues, with everything else in between.
I can confidently say that DNAcademy has provided me with sharpened skills and terrific new resources to take my domain name investing to the next level.
This course is a must for beginners and veterans alike.
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.
The DNAcademy curriculum provided a clear, well-thought-out process to understand what a domain name is and why they are important to potential buyers. There are also valuable lessons on how to price and sell a domain name. Michael and his team also created lessons on negotiations, and how to set up a business with an overview of potential tax implications. This is a comprehensive course that is worth every penny!
After completing the course, Michael and his team provide ongoing support with consistent feedback. This extra support adds an incredible amount of value to the lifetime option.
DNAcademy has provided the information I needed to make better choices with more potential for success.
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!
Extremely well written. Easily understandable to a beginner while also presenting knowledge that many veteran investors can even learn from.
No unnecessary content to skip through like your high school textbooks, real examples, real data, along with access to a discussion forum filled with like minded individuals.
An absolute necessity for anyone looking to succeed in this industry.
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.
Don't spend any more money until you take this course. I highly recommend it.