USA — Skyfarer Academy announced a new academic collaboration with MBA students from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, led by Professor Andrei Hagiu, a globally recognized expert in platform economics and marketplace strategy.

Professor Hagiu, who has spent nearly two decades researching and teaching multi-sided platforms, digital marketplaces, and network effects, selected Skyfarer Academy as a real-world company for applied analysis in his graduate course. Under his guidance, the MBA team partnered closely with Skyfarer to examine the rapidly expanding aviation-training ecosystem and evaluate strategic opportunities across multiple segments of general aviation.

Throughout the semester, the MBA team conducted a comprehensive review of Skyfarer’s user funnel and platform dynamics.

Their analysis provides valuable insights as Skyfarer moves from early validation into the next stages of liquidity, monetization, and platform expansion. Skyfarer is already implementing several recommendations as part of its upcoming platform updates, including improved communication tools, transaction workflows, and trust-driven service layers designed to improve the pilot user experience.

“This collaboration came at a perfect time for us,” said Nick Tsang, CEO of Skyfarer Academy. “The team’s depth of analysis, especially in such a niche industry, was remarkable. Their work aligns strongly with our vision to build a more connected and efficient aviation training ecosystem, and many of their insights will continue to shape our roadmap.”

The project also highlights the growing interest among academic institutions in how marketplace frameworks can transform specialized industries—particularly sectors like general aviation, where trust, credentialing, and instructor-student relationships are essential.

Skyfarer Academy extends its appreciation to Professor Hagiu for incorporating the company into his curriculum, and to the Questrom MBA team for producing a meaningful body of work that helps guide Skyfarer’s next phase of growth.

Source: Skyfarer Academy
Photo Credit: Skyfarer Academy