This review is based on Polyshares’ public website and terms as of October 2026. Figures are what Polyshares states, not guarantees.
What Polyshares is
Polyshares describes itself as “a data lab that buys operational data.” It licenses the record a business produces by operating, including Slack, email, tickets, CRM, files and call recordings, anonymizes it, builds it into datasets, and supplies AI labs.
The key point: Polyshares is the buyer, not a marketplace or broker. In its words: “No marketplace, no listing, no auction.”
Stated terms
| Term | What Polyshares states |
|---|---|
| Deal size | $100K to $2M, and above for large records |
| Cost to you | None: no fee, no commission |
| Structure | License to defined data; non-dilutive (no equity, no debt) |
| Offer timing | Within 1–2 weeks of intake |
| Payment | Net 30–60 once data is approved, shared and anonymized |
| Ownership | You keep the business and the underlying data |
| Anonymization | Identifying fields stripped by a specialist PII partner before anything moves |
| Who qualifies | Any company with real operating history, any sector |
| Excluded | Data you hold on behalf of your own clients |
How it works
- Check your data: three quick questions, about two minutes.
- Review and price: Polyshares reads a sample of the record, then makes an offer within one to two weeks.
- Get paid: net 30 to 60 once data is approved, anonymized and delivered.
You can book a call after the intake. Polyshares says someone reads your answers first so the call is shorter.
Want to know what your record is worth? Polyshares’ intake is three questions.
What data it buys
Slack and Teams, email, Drive and SharePoint, spreadsheets, CRM history, support tickets, design files, call recordings, and accounting or ERP exports.
Who runs it
Polyshares names two managing partners: Nathan Mathews, who it says founded and bought four companies including Roofer.com and AO Swag, and Ryan Lock, who it says built and sold companies including Simplicity Solar. Polyshares says the people on your first call are the people who decide.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Direct buyer: one counterparty, no listing | You see one offer, not competing bids |
| No fee or commission stated | Doesn’t disclose which AI labs receive data |
| Open to any company size or sector | License term and exclusivity aren’t published; negotiate them |
| Fast stated timeline (offer in 1–2 weeks) | Payment only after review and approval |
| Broadest list of named data types | Client-held data is excluded, which limits agencies and firms |
Who Polyshares is NOT for
- Companies whose data mostly belongs to clients (some agencies, law and accounting firms)
- Teams that need to know exactly which lab uses their data
- Very young companies with little operating history
Our verdict
For a company with a few years of real operating history, especially in Slack, email or support tickets, Polyshares is one of the simplest ways to find out what that record is worth. It states no fee, a fast offer and clear ownership terms. Have your lawyer review scope, term, exclusivity and deletion before you sign.
Not sure it’s the right fit? Compare it with micro1.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polyshares legit?
Polyshares publishes its terms, team, data-handling approach and case studies on its website, and is led by two named managing partners. As with any counterparty, review the contract with counsel before signing.
Does Polyshares charge a fee?
Polyshares states there is no fee and no commission, because it is the buyer rather than an agent.
How much does Polyshares pay?
Polyshares states deals typically land between $100K and $2M, and higher for large or long records. Depth of history and visible reasoning move the number more than volume.
When does Polyshares pay?
Polyshares states payment is net 30 to 60 days once the data has been approved, shared and anonymized.
Which AI labs get the data?
Polyshares states it supplies AI labs but does not disclose which labs take which data.
Do I keep my data?
Yes. Polyshares states you keep the business and the underlying data, and the license is defined and bounded.