Buyer comparison
micro1 vs Polyshares: which should license your data?
micro1 and Polyshares quote the same $100K to $2M+ band. The difference is in the terms and in what each tells you up front.
In this guide
| micro1 | Polyshares | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.9 / 10 | 6.8 / 10 |
| Type | Direct buyer | Direct buyer |
| Referral program | Yes: $50K per deal up to $700K, then 7.5% | Yes: 6% to referrers |
| Pays companies | $100K to $2M+ | $100K to $2M+ |
| Minimum size | 30+ full-time staff | None on its site (broker criteria: 50+, 3+ years) |
| Regions | US first, then other Western markets; English data | Not stated |
| Time to payment | Up to 30 days to review the data, then paid within 30 days of your invoice | Offer in 1 to 2 weeks; paid Net 30 to 60 |
| Exclusivity | Non-exclusive, perpetual license | Exclusive by default (pages disagree on term) |
01
Where they really differ
License. micro1's is non-exclusive but perpetual. Polyshares describes its deals as exclusive, with its own pages disagreeing on whether the term is perpetual or fixed.
Timing. Polyshares publishes an offer in 1 to 2 weeks and Net 30 to 60. micro1 takes up to 30 days to review, then pays within 30 days of your invoice.
Size. micro1 wants 30+; Polyshares now wants 50+ and five core systems.
Proof. Polyshares lists example deals with prices. micro1 points to its $1B budget and its funding.
02
When micro1 is the better call
You want the freedom to license elsewhere later and a contract you can read now.
04
How to use two offers
You do not have to choose between micro1 and Polyshares up front. The cleanest approach is to qualify with both, get each offer in writing for the same scope of data, and only then decide.
- 1
Fix the scope first
Decide which systems and years are in, and what stays out (client files, HR records, anything under NDA). Give both buyers the same scope so the offers are comparable.
- 2
Compare net, not headline
Subtract any seller fee or agent commission, and note whether the money arrives in one payment or several.
- 3
Read the license term
An exclusive license, even for a year or two, stops you licensing the same records elsewhere. A non-exclusive one leaves that door open.
- 4
Sign one before you send anything
No export until a contract is signed and you have approved how personal data is removed.
05
Ask both of them the same questions
Put the same five questions to each buyer in writing and compare the answers side by side. Vague answers are an answer too.
- 1What is your written offer for our data, and what exactly does it cover?
- 2Can we license these records to anyone else, and if not, until when?
- 3Who does the de-identification, using which method, and do we sign off on a sample before anything leaves?
- 4When are we paid, and in how many payments?
- 5Will you name the AI companies that end up with our data?
FAQ
Questions, answered
Which license is exclusive?
Polyshares describes its deals as exclusive. micro1's published license is non-exclusive.
Get offers from buyers that fit
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Sources
Every number on this page links back to one of these.
- 1micro1: data partnerships pagemicro1.ai
- 2micro1: Data License Master Termsmicro1.ai
- 3Polyshares homepagepolyshares.com
- 4Polyshares: track recordpolyshares.com
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