The micro1 data partnership, explained

What micro1 is

micro1 is an AI talent and data company. It works with AI labs that need high-quality human expertise and real-world data to train and evaluate their models, and sources that data from companies through its partnership programmes.

What a data partnership is

A data partnership is an agreement for micro1 to license a defined, de-identified copy of your company's records, such as Slack or Teams history, documents, tickets and project files, for AI training. You generally keep ownership of your original data. For background on how licences work, see our licensing primer.

Eligibility

• 30 or more employees
• Based in the US or other Western markets
• Data mainly in English
• Any industry

A separate Defunct Company Data Partnership track covers companies that have closed or are winding down, with 30+ employees (micro1's published requirement) and mainly English Slack or Teams history. Read what to do with company data when shutting down for that route.

Step by step

1. Free Cadabra valuation. A one-minute quiz gives an indicative range based on your size, history and systems.
2. micro1 application. You register with micro1 through the link at the end of the quiz.
3. Review. micro1 checks eligibility and the likely usefulness of your records.
4. Scoping call. You discuss which systems, teams and date ranges could be included.
5. Written scope you approve. Nothing is transferred until you sign off on exactly what is included.
6. De-identification. Names, emails and personal identifiers are removed or masked, and data is reviewed.
7. Transfer. The agreed package is transferred securely.
8. Payment. Paid under the agreed terms once the data is approved.

What to prepare before applying

You do not need to clean or export anything to apply, but a little preparation makes the scoping call faster. Note which tools your team has used and for how long, roughly how many people were active in each, and who holds admin access. Flag any client work covered by NDAs or confidentiality clauses so it can be left out. Check whether your software providers' terms restrict how exported data may be used. Finally, agree internally who can approve the written scope, usually a director, and whether investors need to be told.

What a partnership does not involve

It does not hand over ownership of your systems, give anyone access to live accounts, or require you to share anything outside the scope you approve. You can decline at any stage before signing.

Published ranges

For reference, micro1's published range ($100k to $2M+ per data package), subject to micro1's review and approval; not guaranteed. Defunct partnerships are also covered. Not every company is approved, and the amount depends on volume, history, domain and quality. See what drives the value of company data.

Where Cadabra fits

Cadabra is an independent referral partner of micro1. We help companies get an indicative valuation and understand the process, then point them to micro1's application. If your company completes a partnership, micro1 may pay Cadabra a referral fee. That costs you nothing and does not change your terms. All offers, approvals and payments come from micro1.

If you advise companies, such as a consultant, lawyer, accountant, VC or insolvency practitioner, you can join micro1's referral programme yourself through our partners page.

How to prepare before applying

• Inventory your systems. List Slack or Teams, email, documents, tickets, code and CRM, with how far back each goes.
• Check access. Confirm an admin can export from each system.
• Flag exclusions. Identify client work covered by NDAs and any customer data with deletion commitments.
• Agree authority. Decide who signs: founders, the board or, for closed companies, the liquidator.
• Brief stakeholders. Tell co-founders and investors what is being considered and the safeguards involved.

Questions to ask during scoping

• Which sources and date ranges will be included, and how will exclusions be handled?
• How is de-identification carried out, and can we review samples before transfer?
• Is the licence exclusive or non-exclusive?
• What triggers payment, and what happens if part of the data is not approved?
• How long is data retained, and what are the deletion terms?

Common mistakes

Companies sometimes apply before checking they can actually export their history, then discover gaps in access late in the process. Others treat an early estimate as a fixed price; any figure before micro1's review, including Cadabra's, is indicative only. Finally, leaving legal review to the last minute can delay signing. Reading the scope and terms carefully, ideally with an advisor, keeps the process smooth.

Who to involve internally

A data partnership goes more smoothly when the right people are involved from the start. Bring in whoever owns your key systems, usually IT or an operations lead, so exports and access are not a bottleneck. Involve finance to understand how any proceeds will be treated, and legal counsel or an external advisor to review the scope, warranties and deletion terms. If investors hold consent rights over significant assets, brief them early rather than at the point of signing.

It also helps to nominate one person to coordinate the process. They keep the inventory of systems up to date, collect answers from each team, and act as the single point of contact during scoping. That avoids conflicting answers and makes review faster. Keeping a simple written log of decisions, such as what was excluded and why, gives you a clear record if questions come up later.