Aviation’s Answer to Zillow Goes Live as JetSmarter’s Sergey Petrossov Joins Aero Ventures

JetSmarter Founder Sergey Petrossov has joined former Jet Edge Founder & CEO Bill Papariella’s Aero Ventures as Managing Partner for the launch of the Aero Ventures Marketplace, a comprehensive AI-driven platform positioning itself as private aviation’s answer to Zillow, Carfax, and Carvana combined. The AI marketplace went live September 3, 2025, marking Petrossov’s return to entrepreneurship following his tenure as Chief Growth & Digital Officer at Vista Global and President of XO after JetSmarter was acquired by Vista in 2019.

Petrossov’s appointment represents an evolution from his JetSmarter roots, where he fundamentally rewired the marketplace and introduced Silicon Valley-style innovation to private aviation. His success in digitizing charter services through JetSmarter’s mobile-first approach, launched in 2012 after recognizing the industry’s archaic processes, now informs this venture targeting aircraft ownership and trading. Through his direct efforts at JetSmarter and Vista Global, Petrossov created what industry observers called “a juggernaut never seen in private aviation.”

AI Technology and Transparency Transform Aircraft Ownership

The Aero Ventures Marketplace delivers what the industry has long lacked: AI-powered instant valuations, verified aircraft histories, simulated cost of aircraft ownership, private off-market listings, and capital-backed liquidity that enables owners to generate a cash offer on their aircraft in as little as 48 hours. The AI platform leverages over one million flight hours of operating experience, combined with deep OEM relationships to deliver comprehensive advisory services through AI-based functionality like real-time valuations and ownership cost simulation.

“We proved private aviation could be digitized with JetSmarter and further popularized with XO. Now we’re bringing that same disruption to ownership. No more guessing values or back-channel dealmaking – this AI platform makes aircraft trading transparent, fast, and exciting,” stated Petrossov in the Aero Ventures press release.

The AI system addresses long-standing inefficiencies in aircraft ownership markets, where traditional processes relied on opaque valuations and manual dealmaking. This approach mirrors Petrossov’s previous success, where his AI technology and efficient AI platform driven by AI algorithms, artificial intelligence and mobile distribution optimized inventory to drive down prices and create availability.

Leadership Team Brings Proven Track Record

Aero Ventures was founded by Bill Papariella to address the need for a brokerage experience that extends through the entire ownership journey. Papariella founded and ran Jet Edge, scaling it to over 100 aircraft and $600M revenue before Vista Global’s $750M acquisition in 2022.

“This industry has operated in the dark for too long. Buyers and sellers deserve speed, clarity, and trust. With Sergey on board and our AI marketplace live, we’re delivering all three,” said Papariella, Founder & CEO of Aero Ventures.

Exclusive Access and AI-Driven Capital Solutions

The AI Marketplace serves as the front end of Aero Ventures’ brokerage division, widely regarded as one of the most exclusive aircraft brokerages in the world. Specializing in transactions above $10M, the firm limits access through selective, case-by-case vetting. Once approved, clients gain not only AI digital tools but also the full weight of Aero Ventures’ global brokerage services for both sales and acquisitions.

With over $4 billion in completed transactions and unmatched access to capital, Aero Ventures enables instant capital-backed offers—delivering liquidity in as fast as 48 hours, a capability unmatched in private aviation. The selective access model ensures quality control, while the AI technology provides market data that historically required extensive industry relationships to obtain.

Market Timing Aligns with Industry Growth

Petrossov’s vision builds on insights from his JetSmarter experience. This inefficiency understanding now applies to aircraft ownership markets, where traditional processes rely on manual dealmaking and opaque valuations.

During Petrossov’s tenure at Vista Global, he ran the combined XO business as President, and also served as Chief Growth & Digital Officer, demonstrating his ability to vertically integrate AI technology infrastructure, consumer distribution, operational capabilities and dedicated aircraft assets. His experience in building the largest on-demand private jet provider in the world, through JetSmarter, which achieved a unicorn valuation, directly informs this latest venture.

Reshaping Aircraft Ownership Markets

The launch represents what could become a tectonic shift in how the aircraft ownership markets operate, potentially creating the largest AI driven aircraft trading platform in the world. The combination of AI-driven valuations, instant liquidity, and a leadership team seasoned in scaling aviation platforms positions Aero Ventures’ Marketplace to redefine how aircraft ownership is transacted worldwide.

With AI technology at its core and a proven team that has previously transformed private aviation through digital innovation, the Aero Ventures Marketplace enters the market not just as another brokerage, but as the aviation industry’s answer to the digital transformation that has already revolutionized real estate and automotive markets.