Polyshares, Mode.inc, and DataSupply.ai are three of the most visible platforms for AI data licensing in 2026, and each operates with a different structure, different strengths, and different risks. If you are a business owner trying to figure out where to submit your company’s operational data, this comparison will help you make an informed decision rather than defaulting to whoever emailed you first.
We have assessed all three platforms based on publicly available information, deal structures shared by operators in our network, and direct experience with the intake processes. Here is what you need to know.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Type | Pay Range | Headcount Min | Exclusivity | Referral Program | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyshares | Principal Buyer | $100K – $2M+ | None stated | Non-exclusive available | Yes | Top pick for most businesses |
| Mode.inc | Marketplace/Broker | $50K+ | 6 employees | Non-exclusive available | 6% referral fee | Best for small legal and professional firms |
| DataSupply.ai | Marketplace + MLM | Not published | Not stated | Unclear | Multi-level partner structure | Proceed with clear eyes |
Polyshares: Full Review
Polyshares is the platform we recommend most often for businesses looking to license their operational data to AI labs. Here is why.
Polyshares operates as a principal buyer, meaning it purchases data directly from companies rather than acting as a broker between sellers and an open marketplace. This is an important structural distinction: when Polyshares makes you an offer, it is the actual buyer, not a middleman hoping to find someone else to pay for your data. That makes the process cleaner, faster, and more predictable.
Deal Structure and Pay Range
Deals on Polyshares range from $100K at the low end to $2M+ for enterprise datasets in premium industries. The platform is particularly strong for companies in legal, financial services, healthcare, logistics, and professional services. There is no stated headcount minimum, which means smaller companies with rich, specialized data can qualify where other platforms might pass.
Terms and Exclusivity
Polyshares offers non-exclusive deal structures, which means you retain the right to license your data to other buyers simultaneously. This is a significant advantage over platforms that require exclusivity as a default. Net 30-60 payment terms are standard, and the contract terms are transparent before you commit to any data transfer.
Referral Program
Polyshares runs a referral program that pays for qualified company introductions. If you know other business owners whose data might qualify, you can earn additional income by connecting them with the platform.
Our recommendation: start here for most businesses. Submit your intake at Polyshares here.
Mode.inc: Full Review
Mode.inc is a strong platform for smaller companies, particularly those in legal and professional services verticals. It accepts companies from as few as 6 employees, which makes it accessible to boutique firms that other platforms would not consider.
Deal Structure and Pay Range
Mode’s published floor is $50K, with deals scaling based on company size, industry, and data depth. The platform is particularly active in legal, accounting, consulting, and other knowledge-work industries. If your firm is a mid-size law firm, CPA practice, or management consultancy, Mode has established buyer relationships that make it a strong fit.
Terms and Exclusivity
Mode offers non-exclusive structures, and the platform’s intake process is clean and straightforward. You answer qualification questions without sharing actual data, receive a preliminary assessment, and then decide whether to proceed to a full evaluation.
Referral Program
Mode operates a single-level affiliate program that pays a 6% referral fee on completed deals. This is a clean, transparent structure with no multi-level components. If you are an advisor, broker, or connector working with business owners, the Mode referral program is straightforward to work with. You can refer companies at Mode.inc here or refer other connectors and affiliates at the Mode affiliate portal.
Our recommendation: use Mode as your primary platform if you have fewer than 30 employees or if you are in legal or professional services. Use it in parallel with Polyshares if you want to compare offers.
DataSupply.ai: Full Review
We want to give you an honest assessment of DataSupply.ai because you are likely to encounter it if you are researching this space.
What DataSupply Does Well
DataSupply.ai represents a real market. The company is associated with Micro1, a workforce and AI data services firm, and the underlying concept of connecting business data with AI buyers is legitimate. There is genuine activity in the platform’s ecosystem, and businesses that qualify can receive real offers.
What to Watch Out For
The partner structure at DataSupply is multi-level, meaning that the people recruiting you to list your data or become a connector may themselves be earning commissions on your activity. This is not inherently disqualifying, but it creates incentives for aggressive outreach that do not always align with the interests of the business owner being pitched.
DataSupply does not publish its deal terms or pay ranges publicly, which makes comparison-shopping significantly harder. The company’s association with Micro1 is real but also means the data buyer relationships are more concentrated than a platform like Polyshares.
Our Recommendation on DataSupply
If you have been pitched DataSupply.ai by a connector or affiliate, the right move is to check whether your company qualifies first, then compare any offer you receive against what Polyshares and Mode provide. Use the company qualification link at DataSupply.ai here, but do not accept any offer without running a parallel process. Proceed with clear eyes.
Which Should You Use?
Here is a simple decision framework based on what we know about each platform:
- Under 30 employees: Start with Mode.inc. It has the lowest headcount threshold and is optimized for smaller knowledge-work companies. Check qualification at Mode.inc.
- 30 or more employees: Start with Polyshares. The deal range is wider, the principal-buyer structure is cleaner, and the platform handles larger datasets well. Submit at Polyshares.
- You’ve been pitched DataSupply: Check your qualification at the DataSupply company link, but run parallel submissions to Polyshares and Mode before accepting any offer. Compare all three.
- Legal or professional services, any size: Mode should be on your list regardless of size. The platform has specific expertise in these verticals that Polyshares may not match at the smaller end of the market.
For a deeper look at industry-specific valuations, see our guide on how much your company’s data is worth to AI labs by industry.
Can You Use Multiple Platforms?
Yes, and in most cases you should. Because both Polyshares and Mode offer non-exclusive deal structures, there is nothing stopping you from submitting to both simultaneously and comparing the offers you receive. This is the standard practice for any business asset sale: get multiple bids before you decide.
The strategy for maximizing your offers is straightforward:
- Submit intake forms to both Polyshares and Mode at the same time.
- If DataSupply is in the picture, check qualification there too.
- Receive preliminary assessments from each platform.
- Use competing offers as negotiating leverage, particularly around exclusivity terms and payout schedules.
- If one platform pushes hard for an exclusive deal, use the other platform’s non-exclusive offer as your baseline.
The platforms know this dynamic exists. They are not going to withdraw an offer because you are shopping it. Treat this like any other business transaction: more information and more competition produces better outcomes for the seller.
See also our overview of all the major companies buying business data for AI training for a broader view of the buyer landscape beyond these three platforms.
Ready to find out what your company’s data is actually worth? Submit to Polyshares and Mode.inc today and let the market tell you.
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