By software
Turn your CAD files and models into a data license payout
Labs could scrape text and code from the open web. Design files were never out there. Drawings, Revit models and SolidWorks assemblies sit on a firm's own servers. According to Ventra, CAD libraries are scarce and labs want large volumes of a single type.
In this guide
01
Buyers that take CAD data
Why it fits
Asks for templates, knowledge bases and project workflows, which covers CAD standards
Pays (claimed)
$100K to $2M+ (its own band)
Timing
Up to 30 days to review, paid within 30 days of invoice
Watch for
Earlier descriptions said personal details are removed "when relevant". Ask exactly how.
Why it fits
Names CAD files, parts, assemblies and change logs among high-demand records
Pays (claimed)
$100K to $2M potential deals (its own claim)
Timing
Offer in 3 to 7 days, paid net 30 or 60
Watch for
Once delivered, data may stay with Ventra for good under its terms.
Why it fits
Takes engineering and manufacturing records
Pays (claimed)
$100K to $2M+ (its own band)
Timing
Offer in 1 to 2 weeks, paid in 30 to 60 days
Watch for
Licenses exclusively by default.
Why it fits
Takes engineering firms
Pays (claimed)
$100K to $5M (its own band)
Timing
Paid within about 60 days of acceptance
Watch for
Program launched October 2026, so no deal record yet.
| Buyer | Why it fits | Pays (claimed) | Timing | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| micro1 | Asks for templates, knowledge bases and project workflows, which covers CAD standards | $100K to $2M+ (its own band) | Up to 30 days to review, paid within 30 days of invoice | Earlier descriptions said personal details are removed "when relevant". Ask exactly how. |
| Ventra | Names CAD files, parts, assemblies and change logs among high-demand records | $100K to $2M potential deals (its own claim) | Offer in 3 to 7 days, paid net 30 or 60 | Once delivered, data may stay with Ventra for good under its terms. |
| Polyshares | Takes engineering and manufacturing records | $100K to $2M+ (its own band) | Offer in 1 to 2 weeks, paid in 30 to 60 days | Licenses exclusively by default. |
| Mode | Takes engineering firms | $100K to $5M (its own band) | Paid within about 60 days of acceptance | Program launched October 2026, so no deal record yet. |
02
What in CAD buyers value
Drawing sets with revisions
What makes them useful
How designs change through review
Agree with the buyer first
Who owns the design
Models and assemblies
What makes them useful
Structured design data in volume
Agree with the buyer first
Client ownership and NDAs
Block libraries and standards
What makes them useful
Your firm's design conventions
Agree with the buyer first
Proprietary standards
Change logs and RFIs
What makes them useful
Why changes were made
Agree with the buyer first
Client names
| Records | What makes them useful | Agree with the buyer first |
|---|---|---|
| Drawing sets with revisions | How designs change through review | Who owns the design |
| Models and assemblies | Structured design data in volume | Client ownership and NDAs |
| Block libraries and standards | Your firm's design conventions | Proprietary standards |
| Change logs and RFIs | Why changes were made | Client names |
03
Ownership comes first
Many CAD files belong to clients under contract or NDA. Some buyers refuse data held for clients. Your own standards, details, templates and internal projects are cleaner to offer. Sort ownership before any call. See manufacturing.
04
What to keep out
- Client-owned drawings without written permission
- Defense or export-controlled designs
- Security-sensitive building plans
05
How the handover works
- 1
Scope
Agree which CAD areas and date ranges go in, in writing, before anything is exported.
- 2
Collect
Your admin exports, or the buyer reads only approved sources through limited access. Never hand over an admin password.
- 3
Clean and sample
The buyer removes names and personal details, and you review a cleaned sample before release.
- 4
Get paid, confirm deletion
Payment usually lands three to six weeks after signing. Ask for written confirmation that raw files were deleted.
06
Industries where CAD history matters most
FAQ
Questions, answered
Do AI companies buy CAD files?
Some buyers, Ventra among them, list CAD files among high-demand records.
Why is CAD in demand?
Design files were never public, so labs have little of them.
Can I license client drawings?
Usually not without the client's written permission.
Find the buyers that fit your company
Answer a few questions about your size, tools and history. We show which buyers want a company like yours. Free, no files.
Keep reading
Sources
Every number on this page links back to one of these.
- 1Ventra, company data programjoinventra.com
- 2Ventra, terms of servicejoinventra.com
- 3Fast Company, architects and AI design datafastcompany.com
- 4micro1, enterprise data partnerships pagemicro1.ai
- 5Polyshares, company websitepolyshares.com
- 6Cognor Labs, manufacturing datacognorlabs.com
Spot something wrong? See our corrections policy. Some buyers pay us a referral fee. How we make money.