Learn / Basics
What is business data licensing?
Business data licensing is when a company gives a buyer permission to use a copy of its historical operational records — usually emails, documents, messages and other work history — in exchange for payment. You typically keep ownership. Aftergold helps businesses understand that market from their side of the table.
What does a data license actually cover?
A data license is a contract with a potential data buyer. It sets what they can use, for how long, whether the rights are exclusive, and what they can do with a copy of your historical operational data.
That history is not leftover files. It is the record of people doing the work: hiring, selling, shipping, fixing problems and keeping the business alive. AI data buyers want the pattern of that work. Aftergold wants you to know what it took to create it before anyone talks about a price.
Why are AI companies licensing company data?
AI companies use real-world operational data to train systems on how work actually happens — how a lead becomes a deal, how a ticket gets solved, how a team decides.
They are looking at a dataset. You are looking at years of payroll, customers and decisions. Aftergold sits with you, not with the buyer, so that difference stays in the room.
Does Aftergold buy the data?
No. Aftergold is a data value advisory. We help businesses understand what their historical operational data may be worth and navigate data buyers interested in licensing it. We do not buy your data.
Read more in the FAQ on licensing company data to AI companies.
Questions people ask next
Do I still own the data?
Usually, yes. A license typically grants specific rights to use a copy. The agreement with the data buyer should say exactly what those rights are.
Is exploring the same as agreeing?
No. Finding out whether buyers are interested does not give anyone rights to your data.