How to sell data to OpenAI and other AI labs
OpenAI has no public price list or upload form for company data. Its data partnership programme asked for datasets that are not easily available online, and most company deals run through brokers, data marketplaces and builders of training environments. Sort out your rights and de-identification first, then approach buyers through someone who knows what each wants.
What OpenAI has asked for
In November 2023, OpenAI launched a data partnership programme. It asked for large datasets "that are not already easily accessible online to the public", in any language and format, and was "particularly looking for data that expresses human intention", such as long-form writing or conversations rather than disconnected snippets.
That describes company data well: years of written discussion between people trying to get something done. It does not mean OpenAI buys any archive it is offered. Labs choose data for what their models need at the time, and they rely on others to find and prepare most of it.
The routes companies actually use
| Route | How it works | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Direct partnership with a lab | The lab's data team negotiates with you | Very large or unique datasets |
| Training environment builders | They turn real workflows into practice worlds and sell those to labs | Operational data: chat, tickets, email, code |
| Data marketplaces and brokers | They package and present your data to several buyers | Most companies, especially first-time sellers |
| Wind-down services | They sell a closing company's assets, including data | Startups that are shutting down |
Forbes reported that shut-down startups' Slack, email and Jira archives sold through one wind-down firm were used to build training environments, at $10,000 to $100,000 per company.
What any buyer will check
- That the data is yours: not held for clients, and allowed by your contracts and privacy promises.
- How it was exported, and whether your software's terms allow it.
- How it was de-identified, by whom, and whether a sample holds up to review.
- How much history it covers, and whether work can be followed across systems.
- What the licence would allow: training only, how long, and whether it is exclusive.
Our guides on whether selling company data is legal and can you sell Slack data cover the first two.
Steps to take, in order
- List the systems and the years of history in each. Record counts are enough; don't export anything yet.
- Check your customer contracts, privacy notice, employee handbook and software terms for anything that limits new uses.
- Get legal advice on what you can license and what must stay out.
- Have an independent specialist de-identify a sample, and review it before anyone outside sees it.
- Approach buyers through a partner who knows what each is looking for now, and compare terms, not only price.
Never send raw data to a buyer to "take a look". Share a de-identified sample under a confidentiality agreement.
Not sure your data is worth it? Take the free data check.
Questions
Can I sell my data directly to OpenAI?
OpenAI has run a data partnership programme, but there is no public upload form or price list. Most company data reaches labs through brokers, marketplaces and builders of training environments.
Does OpenAI pay for data?
AI companies have paid for licensed data, mostly in deals with large publishers and platforms. Company archives are usually sold through intermediaries.
What does OpenAI look for in data?
Its partnership programme asked for data not easily available online, particularly data that expresses human intention, such as long conversations rather than snippets.
Do I need a broker to sell data to AI labs?
Not by law, but most first-time sellers use one, because buyers' needs change quickly and the legal and preparation work is specialised.
What should I prepare before approaching a buyer?
A list of systems and years of history, a legal review of what you can license, and an independently de-identified sample.
Sources
- OpenAI Data Partnerships (November 2023) OpenAI
- OpenAI seeks large, socially relevant datasets for future AI models (November 2023) The Decoder
- Failed companies are selling old Slack chats and email archives to train AI (17 April 2026) Gizmodo, reporting Forbes
- RL environments for enterprise workflows: a buyer's checklist (14 July 2026) Invisible Technologies
- Selling company data for AI training: what to know before you say yes (1 October 2026) Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, law firm