How to build sustainable data sharing initiatives

Data sharing is a key driver of innovation, enabling the combination and reuse of data across domains. But how can data-sharing initiatives survive once subsidies run out? Without a robust revenue model, sustainable impact is out of reach.

Running a data-sharing initiative involves structural costs; for technology, maintenance, legal compliance, governance and community-building. At the same time, it requires trust and long-term commitment from participants. A well-designed revenue model is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity: it provides stability, continuity and enables real scaling.

Since the full value of data remains underutilised without sustainable data-sharing initiatives, researchers from JADS, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, investigated which revenue models work in practice, and which pitfalls to avoid. The findings are published in the report Sustainable Revenue Models for Data Sharing Initiatives, produced with valuable input from the Center of Excellence for Data Sharing & Cloud (CoE-DSC). The project was led by Prof. Arjan van den Born.

Research approach

The report combines multiple sources and perspectives:

• Data analysis of 155 European data-sharing initiatives
• Literature review on revenue models and governance structures
• 17 expert interviews from a range of sectors
• 2 roundtable sessions with practitioners from data-sharing initiatives

This approach provides a rich and nuanced view of the financial challenges — and opportunities — involved in building and scaling data-sharing initiatives.

Key findings

• Combination of revenue models: There is no universal ‘one-size-fits-all’ model. Initiatives typically combine multiple income streams: subsidies, memberships and sponsorships are common, while licensing, profit-sharing and usage-based models appear to a lesser extent.
• Clear use case: Many initiatives start as temporary projects without structural funding. The report highlights the need to pivot early to a scalable model with a clear value proposition.
• Transparency and governance: Trust is critical. Revenue models must be transparent and supported by participants. Neutral intermediaries often play a key role here.
• Barriers: Legal uncertainty, lack of scale and unclear ownership structures often hamper growth. Clear legal frameworks and best practices are needed.
• Policy recommendations: Governments can act as catalysts. Not only as funders, but also by creating structural conditions and supporting impactful use cases. For example, shifting from pure subsidies to co-investment models, and involving professional investors and entrepreneurs from the outset.

Why this report?

Data-sharing initiatives play an increasingly important role in the digital economy. Yet there is still limited understanding of what drives financial sustainability. This report helps to fill that gap: it offers professionals and policymakers practical insights based on European best practices and expert perspectives. It supports strategic decision-making and the development of initiatives that can deliver lasting impact.

“Many data-sharing initiatives remain dependent on subsidies because they lack a sustainable revenue model. They need clear use cases that demonstrate the value of data sharing, so that stakeholders are motivated to participate in these initiatives.”
— Naomi Moonen, Researcher at JADS and co-author of Sustainable Revenue Models for Data Sharing Initiatives

Why JADS?

The authors of this report combine deep expertise in data science and governance with extensive hands-on experience in data-sharing projects across multiple domains. With this broad perspective, and a keen understanding of the complexities of data-driven ecosystems, they are able to connect theory with practice. This report is a clear example of that.

Learn more!

• Curious to learn more? The full report is available here:
• Want to explore more on data sharing? Visit: https://coe-dsc.nl/
• At the symposium: Data & AI Experimentation to Tangible Impact – JADS on 8 July 2025, Naomi Moonen will present her key findings from the report.