A crypto startup recently sold its digital archives to AI laboratories through SimpleClosure, a broker specializing in data sales from shutting down startups, MIT Technology Review reported. Keelan Miskell, involved in the transaction, earned approximately $25,000 for his code base and an estimated $15,000 for workspace data sourced from platforms like Google, Notion, Figma, and Slack.
According to estimates from Carta and AngelList cited by MIT Technology Review, startup shutdowns have surged annually by between 26% and 56% in recent years. This uptick has increased the availability of digital assets for resale, creating new opportunities for AI labs to acquire valuable datasets from defunct companies.
For Japanese markets, where AI and data-driven innovation are key growth areas, this trend highlights a new channel for acquiring proprietary startup data, potentially impacting investment and development strategies in FX, crypto, and equity sectors.