Your company's know-how could be worth an estimated US$100K to US$2M+
For established businesses with 10+ employees and 3+ years of records. AI data companies license this kind of history; see if yours qualifies.
Closed or wound down? You can still get paid for your company's data. Check a closed company →
- Owners pay nothing. Founders Dividend is paid a referral fee by data buyers.
- You approve everything before anything is shared
- We never collect, hold or see your data
Recognition for what you've built, on your terms
No obligation at any point. You decide whether to go forward, and with whom.
Check if you qualify
Answer a few quick questions about your size, history and the systems you use.
Apply with a data buyer
If you qualify, we give you the buyer's application link, or we make the introduction for you.
Review, approve and get paid
The buyer makes an offer and you review it with your own solicitor. Nothing is shared unless you sign.
- No cost to youFounders Dividend is paid a referral fee by the buyer. Owners pay nothing.
- The buyer pays you directlyAny licence fee is paid by the buyer under an agreement you sign with them.
- Handled under the buyer's privacy termsWe never collect or hold your data. The buyer handles it under its own privacy and data terms.
- Referral-onlyWe're an independent referrer. No obligation, and nothing is shared without your approval.
Your records stay under your control
We never touch your data. Buyers license de-identified records under a written agreement you approve.
What buyers typically license
- Standard operating procedures and training documents
- Internal email and Slack or Teams history
- CRM history and sales workflows
- Service tickets, work orders and dispatch logs
What always stays out
- Customer personal information
- Your clients' confidential information
- Tax returns and tax information
- Anything you choose not to include
Decades of know-how, finally on the balance sheet
The way your team quotes a job, handles a claim or solves a customer's problem took years to get right. AI data companies now value that real-world experience, because it can't be found anywhere else.
- Years in business add depth to your records.
- Established systems like email, CRM and team chat hold that history.
- Your team's habits, written down in SOPs and tickets, show how real work gets done.
A note on timing: terms in this market are changing as it matures, so today's ranges may not hold.
Based on ranges AI data companies have published for their own licensing programmes. Actual offers depend on size, years of records and data type, and some businesses won't receive one. Estimate only; not a guarantee.
See what yours may qualify for
The General Data Company- micro1 committed $1B to enterprise data acquisition, financed by Citi and Hercules Capital (Oct 9, 2026)
Founders Dividend is an independent referrer paid a referral fee by these buyers. Not affiliated with or endorsed by micro1 or The General Data Company. Logos and names are trademarks of their owners.
Independent, free to you, and your call
- Independent referrerWe are not a buyer, agent or partner of any buyer. We point you to published buyer programmes.
- No fee to youIf a deal closes, the buyer pays us a referral fee. Owners pay nothing.
- You choose whether to signNo obligation at any point. Nothing happens unless you sign a buyer's agreement.
- Buyers anonymize the dataBuyers de-identify records under their own process. In the Spirit Airlines sale, data was to be delivered only in de-identified form.
In the press: Reuters: Google to buy Spirit Airlines business data for $10 million · Fortune: micro1 tries to top Google's bid for Spirit Airlines data
Frequently asked questions
Is this a sale of my company?
No. You keep your business. You would license a copy of selected, de-identified records for AI training under a written agreement with the buyer.
Who pays Founders Dividend?
If a deal closes, the data buyer pays us a referral fee. You pay nothing, and that fee is separate from what you receive.
Who are the buyers?
AI data companies with publicly announced programs to license real business records. We are an independent referrer. We are not a partner, agent or representative of any buyer, and we'll tell you exactly who is involved before you speak with anyone.
How accurate is the estimate?
It's a starting point, not an offer. It's based on ranges AI data companies have published, adjusted for your size, history and systems. Actual offers depend on the buyer's review, and some businesses won't receive one.
Do you ever see my data?
No. We never collect, store or transfer your company's records. If you go forward, you work with the buyer directly under their own contract and security process.
What about my customers' private information?
Customer personal information, your clients' confidential information and tax records stay out. Records are de-identified, and you approve what's included before anything is shared.
How long does it take?
It depends on the buyer and how quickly records can be gathered. Each buyer runs its own review.
Should I involve my solicitor or accountant?
Yes. We encourage every owner to have their own solicitor and accountant review any agreement before signing.
Who de-identifies the data?
It depends on the buyer. In the Spirit Airlines bankruptcy sale, an independent third-party de-identification agent was part of the deal, and data was to be delivered only in de-identified form. Some buyers do it in-house instead. Ask each buyer how they handle it before you sign.
What about customer and employee data?
This is the most important thing to review. Each buyer sets its own rules on what is excluded and how personal information is handled, and you approve what's included. Employee data was a real issue in the Spirit sale, where flight attendant unions asked the court for protections. Have your solicitor review customer contracts, consent and employee data before you sign.
How long is the licence?
It depends on the buyer and the agreement you negotiate. Read the term, any exclusivity and what rights the buyer keeps, and have your solicitor review it. You can decline terms you don't like.
Am I taking on liability?
It depends on the agreement. Warranties, indemnities and other liability terms are set in the buyer's contract, and some buyers offer added protections. Your solicitor should review them before you sign. This is general information, not legal advice.
When would I get paid?
It depends on the buyer. Payment timing and any milestones are set in the buyer's agreement with you, so ask each buyer before you sign. We don't control or guarantee timing.
Is this legit?
Yes. AI companies are paying for business data, and it's been publicly reported. Google won the bankruptcy auction for Spirit Airlines' de-identified business data at $10 million (Reuters), and micro1 told the bankruptcy court it had closed more than 50 data transactions in 45 days (Fortune). That doesn't mean every company gets an offer; each buyer reviews and decides.
What does Founders Dividend get paid?
If a deal closes, the buyer pays us a referral fee under its referral programme. You pay nothing, and you never pay us anything.
Are you working for the buyer?
No. We are an independent referrer, not a buyer's agent, partner or representative. Buyers pay us a referral fee, which is why it's free for you.
Can someone walk me through it first?
Yes. Request a free 15-minute data readiness check and we'll go over your systems, years of records and which buyers fit. No cost, no obligation.
See what your company's know-how could be worth
A few quick questions. About 60 seconds. No cost, no obligation.
Check if you qualify