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SimpleClosure AssetHub or micro1? Two ways to license company data

SimpleClosure started out helping startups shut down. Its AssetHub marketplace now sells company code and workspace data to AI buyers, and since September 2026 it has been open to operating companies too. micro1 licenses the same kind of data directly. Here's how the two compare, going by what each company publishes.

By Sean Key · Last reviewed November 8, 2026

I refer companies to micro1 and may be paid a referral fee. I have no relationship with SimpleClosure. Bear that in mind, and check each company's current terms yourself.

The short version

SimpleClosure is a marketplace. It assesses your code and workspace data, matches you with buyers and supports the sale. It also handles the legal shutdown, and AssetHub is free for SimpleClosure's dissolution customers. SimpleClosure press release, Sep 2026 (via Webull), checked Nov 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
micro1 licenses the data itself. Its partnerships range from $100K to $3M+, and it looks for companies with 30+ employees. micro1 creator guidelines (refer.micro1.ai/creators/guidelines), checked Nov 8, 2026
Smaller startups, and companies whose main asset is source code, will probably find SimpleClosure the better fit. Its marketplace page sets no minimum size.
Companies with 30+ staff should get a quote from micro1 as well. Its published figures start higher than the prices reported for closed startups' chat and email archives, which have sold for $10K to $100K each. Forbes via Gizmodo, Apr 2026, checked Nov 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

SimpleClosure and micro1 side by side

	SimpleClosure AssetHub	micro1
What it is	A marketplace run by a startup shutdown service. It matches sellers with what it calls a vetted network of buyers.	An AI training data company that licenses data directly.
Who buys the data	Frontier AI labs and companies building training environments for AI agents, according to SimpleClosure.	micro1 itself, which supplies frontier AI labs.
What it takes	Source code, and workspace data such as email, Slack, Notion and Google Drive. Launched in April 2026. Business Wire, Apr 2026, checked Nov 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)	Workspace data such as Google Workspace, Slack, your CRM and documents, as a one-time license. Operating companies can also do ongoing paid evaluation work.
Who qualifies	Companies at any stage, operating or closing. No minimum size is published.	Operating companies with 30+ employees, and closed companies that had 30+ staff at their peak.
Published pay	None. Its marketplace page doesn't give prices.	$100K to $3M+ for operating companies and $100K to $3M+ for closed ones.
Fees	Free for companies it dissolves. Terms for other companies aren't published.	micro1 says there's nothing to pay.
Shutdown help	Yes. Dissolution and wind-down are its core business.	No. You arrange any closure yourself.
Privacy	Says each dataset is de-identified before licensing. The method isn't published.	Published test results for its de-identification tool in September 2026. My de-identification guide covers them.
Where	Its shutdown service is for US companies. AssetHub doesn't publish a country list.	Mainly the US, UK and Canada. For closed companies: the US, UK, Canada, India, Australia, Singapore, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany and France.

Which suits your company

SimpleClosure is likely the better fit if

you're closing a US startup and want the shutdown handled for you
your company is too small for micro1, which looks for 30+ employees
your main asset is source code

micro1 is worth a quote if

your company has 30+ employees and a few years of history
you're still operating and want ongoing income on top of, or instead of, a one-time payment
your company is based in the UK or Canada

Getting quotes from both

Neither company's public pages say you can't ask both for a valuation. Before you commit to either, get these answers in writing:

Is the agreement exclusive, and for how long?
What share of the price goes to the platform or to anyone who introduced you?
Who are the buyers, and how long do they keep the data?
How are names and personal details removed, and can you review samples first?

If you're closing a US startup, ask SimpleClosure whether you can use it for the shutdown and still license the data elsewhere. My guide to closing your company sets out when to deal with the data, and nine privacy questions cover the rest.

How I'm paid

I'm not employed by micro1. If your company signs up through my introduction, micro1 may pay me a referral fee, which costs you nothing and doesn't change your terms. SimpleClosure pays me nothing. If it suits your company better, use it.

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About the author

Sean Key has been a freelance consultant for 22 years, mainly delivering data and digital projects into the NHS. He runs Applied Clinical Judgement, which connects professionals with AI training work, and helps established companies weigh up micro1's Company Data Partnerships program.

He isn't a lawyer and isn't employed by micro1. If your company signs up through his introduction, micro1 may pay him a referral fee at no cost to you.

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