Open Data Institute gets support of leading academics

23 May 2012

Plans to establish an Open Data Institute (ODI) in London have now been published. The ODI will be the first of its kind in the world, and it is intended as a venue for those seeking to create new products, entrepreneurial opportunities and economic growth from Open Data. The initial focus will be on incubating and nurturing new businesses exploiting Open Data for economic growth.

To be co-directed by Professor Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Professor Nigel Shadbolt, the ODI will be based in Shoreditch, East London.

First announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in November last year and developed with help from the Technology Strategy Board, the government has committed up to £10m over five years to support the ODI.

The aim is for the ODI to be open for business by September 2012. It will draw on complementary sources and users of data - businesses, the public sector, academia and overseas interests, and it will serve to support greater cooperation, integration and bridge-building between them.

Cabinet Office minister, Francis Maude said: "We don't just want to lead the world in releasing government data - our aim is to make the UK an international role model in exploiting the potential of open data to generate new businesses and stimulate growth. The Open Data Institute is a big step towards this. Establishing a centre of excellence and expertise in the heart of technology start-ups will support the very best UK talents to innovate and drive value from the data this government is opening up."

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