Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University)

What Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) does

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), or MAI, is a Russian state higher-education institution founded in 1930 and headquartered in Moscow at Volokolamskoye Shosse, 4, with a regional branch in Akhtubinsk. It is Russia's leading specialized university for aviation, aerospace, and rocket engineering, delivering undergraduate, specialist, master's, and postgraduate programs across aircraft design, helicopter engineering, rocket and space systems, unmanned aerial systems, digital technologies, additive manufacturing, and composite materials. The institution operates 50+ specialized laboratories, 8 design bureaus, an experimental production facility, and a network of wholly-owned sub-units including the Aviation Training Center, Technology Transfer Center, Advanced Engineering School, Digital Department, Management School, LEAN School, Service School, Start-up Studio, Children's Technopark 'Trajectory of Flight,' and Pre-university MAI.

MAI's technology stack centers on an electronic educational environment (lms.mai.ru), a unified student personal account (my.mai.ru), online courses for remote professional development, and a Metaverse MAI digital ecosystem enabling project-based learning. Core aviation/aerospace content is delivered through dedicated institutes (e.g., Institute No. 1 'Aerotechnika' housing the modernized Department 102 'Helicopter Design'), with deep industry involvement from Helicopters of Russia, Mil & Kamov National Helicopter Center, Rostec, Roscosmos, United Aircraft Corporation, RKK Energia, Sberbank, and others. The institution participates in Russia's federal Priority-2030 program and the Advanced Engineering Schools federal project.

MAI generates revenue through a mix of state budget funding (tied to enrollment, research output, and participation in national programs), tuition from fee-paying and international students, corporate training and continuing professional development, and contracted research services for aerospace and defense industry partners. Marketing and distribution rely on open days, school outreach (Pre-university MAI, Children's Technopark), international education fairs in India, UAE, Africa, and China, and digital channels (VK, Telegram, Rutube). The customer base is split between individual students (Russian school graduates and 1,900+ international students from 83 countries) and enterprise customers (aerospace primes, defense state corporations, and tech companies such as Sberbank, T1 IT Holding, and RTC Digital Technologies).

Name

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University)

Legal name

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University)

Website

https://mai.ru

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Moscow Aviation Institute is Russia's premier state aviation and aerospace engineering university, founded in 1930, delivering undergraduate through postgraduate programs, research services, and corporate training to Russian and international students plus aerospace industry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Engineering Higher Education

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

Keywords

• Aviation engineering education
• Aerospace engineering programs
• Higher education services
• Unmanned aerial systems training
• Professional development courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Moscow

HQ country

Russia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Revenue from fee-based educational programs for students not covered by government budget allocations, including international students and certain master's programs.
2. State Budget Funding: Government funding for higher education based on student enrollment numbers, research outputs, and strategic program participation (Priority-2030, Science and Universities national project).
3. Corporate Training and DPO: Revenue from additional professional education programs, corporate training, and continuing professional development for aviation industry professionals.
4. Research Services: High-tech services and research contracts with aviation and aerospace industry partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Moscow Aviation Institute is a state national research university delivering higher education programs in aviation, aerospace, rocket engineering, helicopter design, unmanned aerial systems, IT, and management. It offers bachelor's, specialist, master's, postgraduate degrees, plus pre-university preparatory programs, professional development (DPO), corporate training, and research services to industry partners.

Product overview

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University) is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs and educational services. The core educational offerings include undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs across multiple institutes specializing in aviation, aerospace, engineering, IT, and management disciplines. The institution provides a unified digital ecosystem comprising an electronic educational environment (LMS), student personal accounts, and online course platforms. Additional offerings include pre-university preparation programs ( предуниверсарий and technopark 'Траектория взлёта'), professional development schools (Школа управления, Школа сервиса, LEAN-школа, Авиационный учебный центр), online courses, career services, technology transfer, and startup support. The institution participates in the Priority-2030 development program and national science and universities project.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pre-University MAI (Предуниверсарий МАИ): Preparatory department for schoolchildren grades 8-11 with deep study of technical disciplines and project activities
• Trajectory of Flight (Траектория взлёта)
• Cloud Magazine (Облако)
• Propeller (Пропеллер)
• MAI Podcasts (мАи подкасты)
• Campus 360°
• Digital Department (Цифровая кафедра)
• Management School (Школа управления)
• Service School (Школа сервиса)
• LEAN School (LEAN-школа)
• MAI UAV School (Школа дронов МАИ)

Products and services

• Electronic Educational Environment / LMS MAI (Электронная образовательная среда МАИ) Online learning management system providing digital access to educational materials, coursework, and academic resources for MAI students.
• Digital Department MAI (Цифровая кафедра МАИ) Supplementary digital competencies program offering free additional digital skills to MAI students across all study areas.
• Children's Technopark 'Trajectory of Takeoff' (Детский технопарк «Траектория взлёта») Technology park offering educational programs in future competencies for schoolchildren grades 1-11.
• Management School (Школа управления) School developing corporate management competencies and engineering leadership skills for students and corporate partners.
• Service School (Школа сервиса) First Russian program combining aviation engineering, economics, and management for aviation technical service.
• LEAN School (LEAN-школа) Lean manufacturing training program helping enterprises improve operational efficiency.
• Aviation Training Center MAI (Авиационный учебный центр МАИ) Training center for aviation personnel qualification, professional development, and drone pilot training in the aviation industry.
• Pre-University MAI (Предуниверсарий МАИ) Pre-university program for grades 8-11 with intensive technical studies and project-based learning, producing record-holding EGE graduates.
• MAI Online Courses (Онлайн-курсы МАИ) Remote professional development programs in advanced technologies accessible from anywhere in the world.
• Startup Studio MAI (Стартап-студия МАИ) Startup studio supporting student innovation projects, entrepreneurship, and commercialization with Sberbank partnership.
• Technology Transfer Center (Центр трансфера технологий) Technology transfer center providing high-tech services, innovation support, and research collaboration with industry.
• MAI Career Center (Центр карьеры МАИ) Career center facilitating student employment, internships, and professional development at aerospace companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 students engaged in research activities
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.

• Helicopters of Russia (Вертолёты России)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Strategic partnership for comprehensive development of MAI's Department 102 'Helicopter Design'. Includes curriculum modernization, laboratory equipment updates, transfer of modern helicopter samples, and joint research projects aligned with 2050 technology roadmap.
• JSC Mil and Kamov National Helicopter Center (АО «НЦВ Миль и Камов»)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Strategic partnership with subsidiary of Helicopters of Russia for joint helicopter engineering education. Department head from the company; specialists teaching at MAI; joint student design bureau for pre-project research.
• Roscosmos (Роскосмос)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace corporation offering Gagarin scholarships for students and postgraduates in piloting cosmonautics and rocket-space industry. Also supports MAI space-related education and research activities.
• United Aircraft Corporation (ОАК)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace corporation supporting student internship programs across 17 aviation enterprises with 110 students participating annually.
• T1 IT Holding (ИТ-холдинг Т1)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for launching new educational program in secure software development. Joint one-year specialized higher education program.
• Eshelon (Эшелон)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with T1 IT Holding for secure software development education program targeting cybersecurity industry needs.
• RKK Energia (РКК «Энергия»)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading rocket-space corporation providing student internship opportunities and industry experience for MAI aerospace engineering students.
• Sberbank (Сбербанк)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship partner supporting student startup programs at MAI, providing mentorship and resources for student entrepreneurial ventures.
• RTC Digital Technologies (РТК Цифровые технологии)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT company providing DevOps engineer training partnership with MAI, with company expert teaching students on modern development practices.
• Rostec (Ростех)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState corporation operating 'Wings of Rostec' (Крылья Ростеха) targeted training program for aerospace industry specialists. 20 MAI students enrolled in the program.
• Khalifa University (UAE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint program where UAE students study at Khalifa University then continue specialization at MAI in Russia.
• Shanghai University of Transport Communications (ШУЦТ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint institute MAI-ShuTSU offering double-degree bachelor's and master's programs with study in both Moscow and Shanghai.
• ISAE-SUPAERO (France)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrench aerospace university partner for academic exchange. MAI students can study at one of Europe's leading aerospace schools.
• Technical University of Munich (Germany)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman technical university partner for academic exchange offering engineering and technology programs.
• Polytechnic University of Madrid (Spain)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpanish partner offering aerospace engineering exchange programs including Higher School of Aeronautics and Space Studies.
• Beijing Institute of Technology (China)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChinese partner university for exchange programs in technology and engineering fields.
• Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian partner offering exchange programs in aerospace and mechanical engineering.
• Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (У-УАЗ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBranch of Helicopters of Russia in Buryatia; targeted training program for regional aviation manufacturing workforce.
• Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (МФТИ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership discussions for AI and neural network technology integration into advanced helicopter onboard equipment systems.
• Bauman Moscow State Technical University (МГТУ им. Н.Э. Баумана)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for multi-spectral combined vision systems and robotics integration in helicopter complexes.
• Lomonosov Moscow State University (МГУ им. М.В. Ломоносова)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for mathematical apparatus development for numerical methods in aerodynamic and strength calculations.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Technical University of Munich (TUM): Leading European engineering university with an aerospace engineering track. International comparator for MAI on research output and curriculum, and an existing academic exchange partner.
• Samara National Research University (Samara University): Major Russian aerospace-focused research university and member of the Consortium of Aerospace Universities of Russia. Direct domestic competitor for Russian aerospace engineering talent, with overlapping programs in aircraft and rocket systems and shared industry partners.
• Beijing Institute of Technology: China's premier defense-oriented technical university and a direct peer in aerospace engineering education. Active MAI exchange partner for joint technology and engineering programs.
• ISAE-SUPAERO: Top French aerospace engineering Grande École with similar degree structure to MAI's specialist/master's programs. Direct international peer; existing academic exchange partner with student-flow programs in aerospace engineering.
• Bauman Moscow State Technical University: Russia's other premier technical university based in Moscow, with overlapping engineering and aerospace programs. Currently an R&D partner with MAI on multi-spectral vision systems for helicopter complexes and competing for similar students.
• Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT): Elite Russian research university with strong STEM and applied-physics programs. Direct competitor for top Russian applicants and an existing MAI partner in AI and neural-network research for advanced helicopter systems.
• Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU): Russia's flagship research university with overlapping aerodynamics, mathematics, and applied-research programs. Direct competitor for top applicants and current MAI partner on numerical methods for aerodynamic calculations.
• Kazan National Research Technical University (KNRTU-KAI): Russian technical research university with a flagship aviation/aerospace institute and Consortium of Aerospace Universities membership. Directly competes for Russian students pursuing aerospace engineering and adjacent technical degrees.
• Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino): Italian technical university with an aerospace engineering faculty comparable to MAI's institutes. International peer and existing MAI exchange partner for aerospace and mechanical engineering programs.
• Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM): Spanish public technical university with the Higher School of Aeronautics and Space Studies, comparable in scope to MAI's aerospace institutes. International exchange partner and peer for European aerospace curriculum benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTuberutube.ru/channel/23646113
• Xx.com/IntstudyMAI
• Facebookfacebook.com/MoscowAviationInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/moscow-aviation-institute-state-technical-university-mai-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University)