---
title: "AI labs are buying data from defunct startups to train models"
url: https://www.parallelquant.com/posts/ai-labs-are-buying-data-from-defunct-startups-to-train-models-78f6b9
source_name: "MIT Technology Review"
source_url: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/10/13/1145755/ai-labs-buying-data-from-dead-startups-to-train-models/
published: 2026-10-13T09:00:00.000Z
topics: ["policy", "llms"]
publisher: "Parallel Quant"
---

# AI labs are buying data from defunct startups to train models

*2026-10-13 · Source: [MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/10/13/1145755/ai-labs-buying-data-from-dead-startups-to-train-models/)*

Labs are purchasing code bases and digital archives from shut-down startups; one founder reportedly earned about $25,000 for his code base. Further payments are pending.

**Why it matters:** As public web data is exhausted or restricted, wind-down assets become a new training-data market. It raises unresolved questions about user consent and privacy for data collected under a different business purpose.

**Topics:** policy, llms

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Read the original: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/10/13/1145755/ai-labs-buying-data-from-dead-startups-to-train-models/
Canonical: https://www.parallelquant.com/posts/ai-labs-are-buying-data-from-defunct-startups-to-train-models-78f6b9
Published by Parallel Quant — https://www.parallelquant.com