Bringing Digital Innovation Strategies and Entrepreneurship: The Business Model Canvas in Open Data Ecosystem and Startups

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine and analyze how actors in an open data ecosystem collaborate, as well as their activities, to generate value. Thirteen interviews were conducted with actors in the open data network. The information gathered was used to estimate how the existing ecosystem provides new entrepreneurial opportunities for entities who provide data and for those who utilize data. The business model canvas was used to analyze the findings, and the outcomes are represented from the perspective of each entity in the network. For the purpose of increasing open data’s value, a mind map was developed to show how the findings are connected in an attractive and easy-to-follow manner. Results show that even though there is a lot of interest in open data, a new type of business ecosystem is needed to make a win–win situation possible for everyone in the available data ecosystem. Many reasons and benefits were found in the interviews about why people want to be a part of the open data ecosystem. However, several obstacles must be thoroughly explored and overcome.