What The Data City does

The Data City is a Leeds-based Data-as-a-Service company (legally Data City Innovations Ltd) that has built the Industry Engine platform, an AI-driven system that classifies UK and global companies using Real-Time Industrial Classifications (RTICs) rather than outdated SIC codes. Its proprietary machine-learning pipeline ingests website text alongside Companies House, HMRC trade, Lightcast jobs, and partner data to maintain 90+ data points across 9 million UK companies and 120 million companies across 11 countries, organised into 500+ RTICs covering emerging sectors from AI and Quantum to Net Zero and Defence.

The platform monetises through SaaS subscriptions (Industry Engine), API access, RTIC licensing to government and trade bodies, bespoke data services, and a white-label Directory product for trade associations; distribution combines direct enterprise sales, self-serve PLG free trials, and channel partnerships with Tussell, techUK, and regional economic bodies. Customer evidence is anchored in UK public-sector adoption (DSIT, multiple combined authorities) and named private-sector users including EY, Lloyds Bank, University of Southampton, Lyva Labs, and trade associations such as techUK, ADS Group, and Innovate Finance. The company was founded in 2017, has 11-50 employees, reports 7-figure ARR with 100% YoY growth for three years while remaining cash generative and profitable, and raised £2m from Oxford Economics in March 2025 at a £19m post-money valuation to fund US, German, French, and Irish expansion.

Name

The Data City

Legal name

Data City Innovations Ltd

Website

https://thedatacity.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Data City is a UK-based Data-as-a-Service company whose AI-powered Industry Engine classifies 9 million UK companies via proprietary Real-Time Industrial Classifications (RTICs), serving government, investors, trade associations, and enterprise clients with sector, supply chain, and economic insight.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Company Data and Sector Intelligence

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518210), Web Search Portals and All Other Information Services (51929), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Directory and Mailing List Publishers (513140)

SIC

Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Data Analytics & Business Intelligence Services (BPAHALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Search, Discovery & Ranking Personalization (HDAAAGAE), Data Labeling & Annotation Services (HDAAALAB), Q&A and Knowledge Discovery Platforms (BPAMAAAF)

Keywords

• Industrial classification software
• Company data analytics
• Sector intelligence platform
• Business intelligence database
• Emerging sectors mapping

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. SaaS Platform Subscription: Industry Engine platform access sold as recurring subscriptions to government bodies, local authorities, investment firms, and corporate clients. Multiple pricing tiers based on team size and access requirements. Strong ARR with consistent cash generation.
2. Data Services and Bespoke Research: Custom data projects, building new RTICs, and ensuring customers get right data in right format. One-time and project-based engagements.
3. API Access: Programmatic access to real-time company data for integration into customer systems. Technical integration allowing real-time data enrichment.
4. RTIC Licensing: Licensing of Real-Time Industrial Classifications to third parties including government departments, trade associations, and industry bodies for their own use cases.
5. Directory Product: Custom branded directories built for trade associations and professional bodies, showcasing sectors using The Data City's data. White-label solution hosted on customer subdomain.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Data City provides a Data-as-a-Service platform called the Industry Engine that combines AI-powered Real-Time Industrial Classifications (RTICs) with structured company data covering approximately 9 million UK companies. The platform uses machine learning to classify companies into 500+ emerging industry sectors based on website text, replacing outdated SIC codes. Offerings include subscription-based SaaS access, API data integration, bespoke data services, white-label directories for trade associations, and licensing of RTICs to government and industry bodies.

Product overview

The Data City is a Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) company providing a SaaS platform for real-time company classification and sector analysis. The core product is the Industry Engine platform, which combines AI-powered Real-Time Industrial Classifications (RTICs) with company financial data to replace outdated SIC codes. The platform covers over 9 million UK companies with 90+ data points each. Key offerings include the Industry Engine (core platform), RTICs (500+ proprietary sector classifications), Real-Time SIC Codes (RSICs) for correcting outdated classifications, Lightcast Jobs & Skills (add-on for labor market data), Cluster Analysis (add-on for geographic analysis), and the University Industry Impact Explorer (add-on for academic institutions). Additional products include a Directory product for trade associations, Data Services for bespoke research, and API Access for programmatic data integration. The platform is used by policymakers, economists, investors, and researchers to map emerging sectors and track the UK's Industrial Strategy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Industry Engine: AI-powered platform that combines search, classification, and financial data for tracking companies and exploring sectors.
• RTICs (Real-Time Industrial Classifications)
• Data City Directory

Products and services

• Industry Engine AI-powered SaaS platform that combines company search, real-time classification, and financial data covering active and dissolved companies in the UK and globally. Allows users to build custom sector classifications, track emerging industries in real time, and explore 9 million UK companies with 90 data points each. Sold via tiered subscriptions to government bodies, investment firms, trade associations, and corporate clients.
• Real-Time Industrial Classifications (RTICs) Proprietary sector classification system providing up-to-date insights into 500+ industries from Life Sciences to FinTech, built using machine learning and industry experts. Sold both as part of the Industry Engine subscription and licensed separately to third parties including government departments, trade associations, and industry bodies via the dedicated Licensing RTICs framework.
• Real-Time SIC Codes (RSICs) AI-powered service that automatically corrects wrong or missing SIC codes assigned to UK companies. Uses machine learning to assign the most relevant SIC codes from the existing SIC framework, improving data accuracy without replacing the underlying classification system.
• Lightcast Jobs & Skills Add-on offering, delivered in partnership with Lightcast, for tracking job demand and skills trends by sector, region, or company. Provides labor market intelligence that complements company and sector classification data.
• Cluster Analysis Advanced analysis tool for exploring company relationships and sector dynamics. Enables identification of geographic clusters, industry groupings, and supply chain relationships across the UK economy.
• University Industry Impact Explorer (UIIE) Tool connecting universities to high-growth companies and IS-8 sectors. Enables academic institutions to understand their industry connections and research commercialisation potential.
• Data City Directory Customisable white-label company directory platform for trade associations and professional bodies, built using real-time data. Allows organisations to showcase sectors, supply chains, and clusters with custom branding on their own subdomain, including examples such as the UK Supply Chain Directory for Made Smarter.
• Data Services Bespoke data solutions and custom research services. The Data City team of data experts can build new RTICs, deliver custom projects, and ensure data is provided in the right format for specific client needs. Sold as one-time and project-based engagements.
• API Access Programmatic access to The Data City's real-time company and sector data via a Python SDK REST API. Enables integration of company classifications, RTICs, and financial information into customer systems such as HubSpot CRM.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% of IS-8 companies operate in multiple IS-8 sectors simultaneously
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• CBI EconomicsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Analysis partnership for Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) report on UK net zero economy. Report found £105bn GVA contribution and 1.1 million jobs supported by net zero sector. The Data City's RTIC methodology used to identify and classify net zero companies.
• Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Commissioned report using The Data City's classification methodology to map UK net zero economy. Findings showed 1.1 million jobs supported, £105bn contribution to UK economy, with Scottish and Yorkshire regions providing highest GVA per employee.
• Innovate FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership to develop live dataset mapping the UK financial regtech sector. Provides policymakers, economists, investors, and financial institutions with real-time view of the £455bn UK FinRegTech market. Dataset reveals concentrated ecosystem with London as primary hub and regional centers emerging in Manchester, Birmingham, Reading, Leeds, and Edinburgh.
• TussellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership to produce Tech200 list identifying 200 fastest-growing technology suppliers to UK public sector. Tussell's market intelligence platform combined with The Data City's RTICs to enrich analysis. Companies on list generated £517m in total growth.
• techUKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership with Tussell and The Data City to publish annual Tech200 list. 31 techUK members appear on 2026 list, up from 27 previous year. Showcases UK fastest-growing public sector tech innovators.
• ADS GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025Partnership to develop UK Defence RTIC - first real-time, expert-validated map of UK defence companies. ADS Group provides sector expertise and internal database of defence companies, combined with The Data City's machine learning classification. Maps 13 defence verticals including Combat Air Power, Surface Ships, and enabling technologies.
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Developed Quantum Technologies RTIC identifying 101 UK businesses with 22.8% average annual growth rate. Partnership to create standardized definition of quantum sector previously difficult to quantify. Part of broader collaboration to publish new RTICs covering AI, Robotics, and Advanced Materials.
• Government Office for Science (GOS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Collaborated with DSIT and Innovate UK Business Connect to develop Quantum Technologies RTIC. GOS provided expertise for sector classification of UK quantum companies.
• Innovate UK Business ConnectflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Partnership with DSIT and GOS to create Quantum Technologies RTIC. KTN provided sector expertise for identifying UK quantum companies across quantum communication, computing, materials, and sensing.
• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Created Innovation Clusters Map showing firm-level innovation activity in UK. DSIT partnered with Cambridge Econometrics, The Data City, and Innovation Caucus to build interactive map using 46 RTICs covering sectors from AI to Space. Tool is free-to-access for policymakers, investors, government and researchers.
• Cambridge EconometricscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Partnership with DSIT and The Data City to create UK Innovation Clusters Map. Collaborative research project analyzing firm-level innovation activity across UK geography.
• Innovation CaucusminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Research partner in Innovation Clusters Map project with DSIT and Cambridge Econometrics.
• LightcastcoreTechnology or IntegrationAdd-on partnership providing jobs and skills data. Tracks job demand and skills trends by sector, region, or company. Integrated into The Data City platform for comprehensive workforce analysis.
• HM Revenue & CustomscoreTechnology or IntegrationTrade data partnership providing HMRC administration datasets on company imports and exports. Monthly data showing goods companies are importing and exporting, improving coverage beyond company financial accounts.
• Companies HousecoreTechnology or IntegrationSource of official company registration data, SIC codes, and financial filings. Data enriched by The Data City's AI classification system to correct outdated SIC codes.
• High Value Manufacturing CatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver UK Supply Chain Directory for Made Smarter Innovation | Digital Supply Chain Hub. Custom branded directory showcasing manufacturing supply chain using RTICs. Companies can claim and edit their profiles.
• Digital CatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with HVMC on UK Supply Chain Directory project. Directory built using RTIC data to map full UK manufacturing supply chain beyond limitations of SIC codes.
• Creative InformaticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative Horizon 5 research partnership to understand data classification challenges in creative industries. Project explores moving beyond traditional SIC classification using alternative RTIC framework.
• CRAIC (Creative Research and Innovation Centre)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Creative Informatics and The Data City on Creative Horizon 5 project researching data classification in creative sectors.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Bureau van Dijk (Moody's): Moody's-owned company information database covering 400m+ companies globally with detailed financials, ownership, and corporate structure data. Competes with The Data City on company-level data depth and breadth, but lacks the RTIC-style real-time sector reclassification methodology and emerging-sector coverage.
• S&P Capital IQ: Broad enterprise financial and company data platform serving investment, corporate, and government clients. Overlaps with The Data City on company fundamentals and sector data but lacks the ML-driven real-time classification and emerging-sector RTIC approach.
• Orbis (Bureau van Dijk): Corporate data platform within Bureau van Dijk / Moody's offering detailed company information and standardised financial data globally. Competes on company intelligence for government and enterprise clients but does not offer RTIC-style emerging-sector classification.

Direct peers

• PitchBook: Private market data platform used by PE/VC and investment professionals for company intelligence, deal sourcing, and sector analysis. Competes with The Data City for the same PE/VC and investment-firm buyer persona, with stronger US coverage but less focus on UK government and policy use cases.
• Crunchbase: Company intelligence platform focused on private and public companies, particularly startups, funding rounds, and market signals. Direct competitor for emerging-sector and company-discovery workflows, with broader global coverage but weaker public-sector and policy-sector positioning than The Data City.
• Dealroom: Global startup and investor intelligence platform covering private companies, funding rounds, and ecosystem data — explicitly integrated with The Data City. Closely comparable in serving VCs, governments, and economic-development agencies with company-level and sector-level intelligence.
• Beauhurst: UK-focused company data platform tracking high-growth private businesses, investors, and accelerators. Direct peer for UK-specific company and sector intelligence, particularly for investors, accelerators, and economic-development organisations.
• CB Insights: Market intelligence platform for emerging sectors, technology adoption, and corporate strategy. Competes with The Data City's RTIC-driven emerging-sector coverage in serving PE/VC, corporates, and government clients with forward-looking sector maps.
• Tussell: UK public-sector market intelligence platform tracking government procurement and tech suppliers — explicitly partnered with The Data City on the Tech200 list. Direct overlap in UK public-sector buyer persona and government procurement analytics.
• Tracxn: Private market intelligence platform with global company and sector coverage, serving investors, corporates, and government agencies. Comparable in emerging-sector discovery and company-level data enrichment workflows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thedatacity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-data-city
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Data City