Thread by @TheGovLab

Only a few more moments until GovLab’s Co-Founder and Chief Research and Development Officer Stefaan Verhulst participates on the #IODC18 panel “Open Data and the Private Sector: Breaking Down Walls.”

Key points before we begin:
- Priv. actors can be data users, intermediaries, or providers
- Incubators and accelerators help hundreds of companies
- Large and small bus use open data for business operations and for products and services
- Open data is a largely untapped resource

Stefaan highlights GovLab’s work on datacollaboratives.org, an initiative that shows how partnerships with the private sector can generate insights that lead to public good. Check out the website for more information.

He also highlights the need for Data Stewards, highlighted at datastewards.net, who can drive decision-making regarding if, when, and how to share corporate data for the public’s benefit.

#IODC18 panel underscores how data collected by private organizations can compliment information published by public authorities to address a variety of issues—from public health to finance to transportation—around the world. #opendata

Q: How can you build a trust environment around business expressing their needs around government?

A: One challenge is that the description of their need could undermine their competitive edge. Need to develop network where questions can be answered within the industry. #IODC18

Q: If you have one piece of advice for the open data community in working with the private sector, what would it be?

A: Embrace the notion of collaboration, with potential users and potential providers. #IODC18 #DataCollaboratives

Other panelists recommend to engage, communicate, and collaborate.

And, with that, the panel ends. Stay tuned for Andrew Young’s panel on Data Ethics and Stefaan’s second panel on Private Data for Public Good.