The Finalists 2013/2014
We are happy to announce our top 10 selection of open data business cases that will showcase at the International Business Lounge at FutureEverything in Manchester 31st March - 1st April.
In alphabetic order they are...
1. BikeCityGuide
This app was created by two former bike couriers; it guides cyclists on bike friendly routes with less traffic for a safe and easy bike ride, point to point routing is available offline. The app also recommends tours connecting points of interest in the city. There are already packages for more than thirty European cities and new cities are constantly being added. There is a voting page online, which encourages users to vote for the next city they want the app to cover.
“A good all round cyclist resource, it has a good combination of user generated and open data content.” - Haidee Bell - Nesta
2. Carambla
An app to find the nearest and cheapest parking in Belgium. A lot of traffic in cities is caused by drivers seeking parking; this app cuts down the time taken to find a parking space thereby allowing drivers to reduce their carbon footprint. Two sources of parking are offered: people wanting to rent out their unused parking spaces and car parks wanting to maximise their occupancy.
"Carambla has the right business model and mindset to tackle parking issues on a local level in a sustainable way.” - Pieter-Jan Pauwels - OKFN Belgium
3. CarbonCulture
A digital collaboration platform designed to deliver measurable energy and carbon savings for businesses, cities and communities by enabling community collaboration to drive sustainable, cost-saving outcomes. The platform connects technical and cultural components into one coherent system. The system is already being used by several UK government departments, including DEFRA and the Cabinet Office. CarbonCulture is an initiative of More Associates.
“This is a great example of open data being used for a shared civic issue and it is at a good stage for investment and scaling.” - Haidee Bell - Nesta
4. Cloud'N'Sci
A market-place platform, which provides algorithmic data refining solutions as a service, making raw data more valuable. It hosts the algorithms and helps with contract negotiations between algorithm creators, developers and businesses. This enables developers and algorithm creators to scale up their businesses and move from data to benefit.
“The algorithm as a service marketplace could potentially provide a huge benefit to the open data business ecosystem!" - Ville Meloni - Forum Virium Helsinki
5. iKringloop
This app allows users to dispose of unwanted items in three easy steps: take a photo, select the item category & condition and then share. iKringloop shares the item with neighbours, thrift stores, municipalities and collection agencies. The app can be used to find buyback programmes from participating retailers that accept materials like toys, clothing, textile or phones. iKringloop already have a partnership with the city of Amsterdam.
“iKringloop has the potential to be an application that makes a difference. It is helpful on the human scale as well as in terms of promoting resource economy.”- Tom Demeyer - Waag Society
6. Muse Open Source
This is an open source software platform to publish a native iPad app for digital libraries with APIs. It creates an intuitive and interactive end user experience and also enables data owners to benefit from social curation, validation and sharing - adding new value and relevance to digital libraries. Apps have already been created using the Rijksmuseum and Europeana APIs. Muse Open Source was created by Glimworm IT.
“This team have a clear goal; the platform has a nice interface and is able to be used by others.” - Tom Demeyer - Waag Society
7. Nearhood
A hyperlocal media platform which brings together everything related to a neighbourhood, using numerous open data sources and linking the information to specific areas. It provides local companies with a unique real-time marketing channel and also acts as a social service connecting residents with their neighbours. It has been successfully piloted in neighbourhoods of Helsinki. Nearhood was created by Born Local.
“This is new and innovative and potentially relevant everywhere in Europe.” - Tom Demeyer - Waag Society
8. Nostalgeo
An app which combines contemporary street views with old postcards in order to create street views of the past. As well as using existing open data it will get people from all over Europe to put their old postcards online. Users will be able to create walks based on shared old maps and postcard stories. Nostalgeo was created by Nazka Mapps.
"A great example of how modern technology and cultural heritage conjoin" - Pieter-Jan Pauwels - OKFN Belgium
9. OldMapsOnline
An app and underlying platform which allows users to explore the beauty of historical maps depicting a geographical place of their interest, enabling the user to take a virtual journey back in time. It simplifies access to a the vast map collections of cultural heritage institutions. The data is enriched by exact geographical locations using online crowdsourcing technology. OldMapsOnline was created by Klokan Technologies.
“This has an interesting business model as well as a good solid user base already.” - Sander van der Waal - OKFN UK
10. Second Take
This app downloads historical images from a public database based on the user’s position. These images are then superimposed over the phone’s live camera feed. After capturing a new image the app updates the geolocation data of the original image. The user can then compare the two images, share or save the mixed image and browse through other images created by the app.
“The app is good example of crowdsourcing – users enriching historical photos in Digitalt Museum (Norwegian Museums digital collections) by adding coordinates. Furthermore, the users’ photos will be uploaded to Commons and are thus available for documentation.” - Siri Slettvåg - Arts Council Norway
