What is micro1 Data Partnerships?
micro1 is a San Francisco AI training company. Its Data Partnerships program pays companies to license operational data, which micro1 uses to build environments where AI agents practice real business workflows (The Next Web). On October 9, 2026, it committed $1 billion over 12 months to the program, with capital from Citi and Hercules Capital.
How much does it pay?
| Tier | Payout | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified enterprise data partnership | $100K+ | Companies that meet the criteria below |
| Large-scale | $500K+ | Large datasets or ongoing participation across multiple teams |
| Proprietary | $1M+ | Highly unique data with significant value for AI development |
The referral page describes company compensation as "$100K–$2M+ for approved data packages" (source).
Who is eligible?
- 30+ employees
- Established documentation and high-quality operational data
- Primarily English documentation and communication
- US companies prioritized, then the UK, Canada and other Western markets
What data do they want?
- Operational documentation: SOPs, knowledge bases, internal documentation, CRM data, project histories and QA processes
- Decision-making patterns: how teams evaluate information and make operational decisions
- AI performance feedback: human feedback on AI outputs in real business settings
Industries named include software and engineering, finance and accounting, customer support, sales and CRM, legal and contracts, and operations and logistics.
How is your data protected?
According to micro1 (source):
- Companies retain ownership of their underlying data
- Personally identifiable information is removed when relevant
- Some datasets get synthetic rewrites that keep the workflow but loosen ties to original records
- Access is limited to authorized staff on company-managed devices
- Data runs through isolated pipelines and isn't mixed with other engagements
- You review representative samples before use
- Data is deleted on request or at the end of the engagement, per agreed terms
How to apply
- Get started: a short assessment, including an AI interview
- Evaluation: micro1 reviews whether your company is a fit
- Discovery: a call about your data and privacy requirements
- Partnership: the agreement and data requirements are finalized
Our take
Good fit if you run a documented, English-language operation with 30+ people, especially in support, finance, sales or operations, and you own your process data outright.
Think twice if most of your valuable records belong to clients, are regulated (like patient records), or exist mostly in people's heads.
Frequently asked questions
Is micro1 Data Partnerships legit?
micro1 is a San Francisco AI training company. Its $1B data purchasing commitment, backed by Citi and Hercules Capital, was reported by The Next Web on October 9, 2026. As with any contract, have counsel review the agreement.
How much does micro1 pay companies for data?
micro1 publishes tiers of $100K+, $500K+ and $1M+, and describes approved data packages as $100K–$2M+.
Does micro1 own my data after I share it?
No. micro1 states companies retain ownership of their underlying data, with use and retention limited by the agreement.
Can companies outside the US apply?
Yes, but the US is prioritized, followed by the UK, Canada and other Western markets. Docs must be primarily in English.