Data has become one of the most valuable assets of the modern economy – but many organisations still struggle to treat it like one. From finance to retail, data now informs almost every operational and strategic decision.
As AI and advanced analytics evolve, it’s increasingly possible for organisations to treat their data as a tangible, tradable asset – one that can be exchanged, licensed, or sold to unlock new value streams. Financial institutions use it to create better banking products, media companies license it to AI developers, and retailers trade anonymised insights with one another.
But before any of this is possible, organisations need the right foundations – governance, compliance, and security. Without them, data’s potential value is wasted. With that in mind, here’s what every organisation needs in place before their data can become a commercial asset.
Turning information into income
While every organisation’s approach will differ, several core principles apply to anyone looking to exchange or sell their data responsibly. Those who follow them unlock value by balancing control with impact, managing risk, and turning information into a measurable business asset.
- Be business ready: Commercialising data isn’t just a technical project – it’s a business in its own right. To succeed, you need clear ownership of core functions like entitlement, billing, renewals, product management, and customer support from day one. Understanding the full process also helps you decide what to build in-house and what to outsource, so you can scale efficiently and avoid unnecessary complexity.
- A product mindset: Companies that want to monetise their data need to treat it like any other product they want to profit from. Determine whether demand actually exists before investing into cleansing or aggregation. The truth is many organisations spend years preparing data no one wants to buy in that form. Test demand early and shape your offering around proven value.
- Variable delivery: Demand for data comes in many forms. Some customers want simple datasets; others want reports, visualisations, or API access. Increasingly, clients prefer secure environments where they can test and develop their own models. Offering flexible delivery options – dashboards, APIs, curated extracts, or white-label analytics workspaces – expands your addressable market and reduces risk.
- Abstracted data: Many organisations fear that selling data will expose them to leaks or IP theft. A practical alternative is to commercialise only derived insights – such as curated indicators, dashboards, or aggregated metrics – rather than raw data. This approach protects privacy while speeding up time-to-value for customers.
- Governance by design: Errors with consent, localisation, or sensitive data can cause major financial and reputational damage. The best way to avoid them is to embed compliance from the start, not bolt it on later. Licensing controls, access restrictions, and audit logs should be built into data products from day one. The result: compliant, trustworthy, and easier-to-use offerings.
Differentiate yourself as a data authority
The opportunity in commercialising data goes beyond direct revenue. Organisations that govern and share data effectively become trusted authorities in their sector, shaping standards others follow.
As AI continues to advance, high-quality, well-governed data will separate leaders from laggards. The organisations that build robust data businesses now won’t just profit – they’ll define the next era of the data economy.
