Why now, and why have I not heard of this?
AI labs used to train on the open web. That well is running dry. They now pay for real operating history: the files a company already produced by doing the work. Most owners have never been asked, because the category is new. The window is that they want history that already exists, and the first clean licenses in a vertical get the attention. It will not stay this quiet.
What happens to your data?
The first form is answers, not files. When you send an intake package, those samples are fully de-identified first. Names, account numbers, and other information that could identify a person are removed or obscured, while the business context and structure of the record stay in place. Access is limited to the people who need the set to price and complete a license. A partner receives the de-identified record under contract, to train or evaluate models, not as a list of customers to sell. You keep the underlying files. We do not sell the record as a consumer list, and we do not name who licensed which data.
Why not take the first offer?
The market is split. The same record can be worth one amount to one partner and more to someone else. Our job is to find the best partner so you get paid the most.
How much do you get paid?
It depends on how long you have been operating, what is in the record, and which partner wants it. We do not quote a number until we have seen what you have. If it is not worth much, we say so.
When does the money arrive?
After the deal is agreed and the data is reviewed and shared. Timing is in the paper.
Who qualifies?
Any company with real operating history. Founder owned, PE owned, or venture backed. Length and texture of the record matter more than headcount.