Guide
Selling data from a bankruptcy estate
Updated October 2026
A bankrupt company's digital records, including chat history, email, CRM, tickets and code, can be an asset of the estate. AI companies pay for this kind of data, which can create an additional recovery for creditors.
Who can sign
In a bankruptcy or administration, the trustee, administrator or liquidator controls the company's assets and decides whether its data can be licensed. Runeshares works directly with them.
Act before the records disappear
Cloud tools delete data when subscriptions stop. Slack, for example, may delete messages older than one year from workspaces on its free plan. Export chat, email, tickets and files as early as possible, even before deciding whether to sell.
How the process works
- A short call about the systems, headcount and years of records.
- A valuation based on that information. No data is shared at this stage.
- If accepted, personal details are removed or anonymised by independent specialists before any transfer, and the license is documented in writing.
What is excluded
HR and health records, private messages, client-owned and privileged material, and anything the estate does not have the right to license.
FAQ
Does it cost the estate anything?
No. The valuation is free.
Which estates qualify?
Typically companies that had at least 25 to 50 employees, three or more years of records, and chat or email history.
Do you work outside the UK?
Yes. We work with estates in the UK and across Europe, including the Nordic countries.
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