Study Objectives

The primary objective of this project is to understand how companies are using open data, and raise awareness of the possibilities that exist for Canadian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the value of open data. Additional objectives include:

• Increasing the number of open data companies in Canada;
• Improving access to open data in breadth and number;
• Exploring new business models or methods for extracting value from data;
• Creating a community of stakeholders ODX can reach out to in an effort to better understand the unique challenges faced by open data companies;
• Establish a better understanding of the skills required to take advantage of open data;

Approach

The Open Data 150 is a collaborative project intended to identify and analyze Canada’s private sector capacity to create value from open data. The project was initiated by ODX and the information gathered by this project will give ODX and its partners deeper insight into the open data landscape that currently exists, as well as a view of what challenges need to be overcome in order to make Canadian open data companies more competitive.

Company Identification

The Open Data 150 Canada team compiles the list of companies and NGOs through (1) outreach campaigns and open calls, (2) curation and identification by experts and professional organizations; and (3) additional research methods. Fill in our survey here here.

What The Study Is Not

The Open Data 150 Canada is not a rating or ranking of companies. It covers companies and entities of different sizes and categories, using various kinds of data. The Open Data 150 Canada is not a competition, but an attempt to give a broad, inclusive view of the field. The study also does not provide a random sample for definitive statistical analysis. Since this is the first thorough scan of companies and entities in the field, it is not yet possible to determine the exact landscape of open data companies and entities.