International Data Spaces Association
International Data Spaces Association is a German non-profit standards body founded in 2016 that defines the IDS architecture, Dataspace Protocol, and Rulebook enabling sovereign, interoperable data sharing for organizations and standards bodies across industries worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersDortmund, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What International Data Spaces Association does
International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) is a German-registered non-profit association (e. V.) founded in 2016 and headquartered in Dortmund. It defines the technical and governance foundations for secure, self-determined, and interoperable data sharing across industries and borders, operating as the steward of the International Data Spaces (IDS) architecture and related specifications. The association is funded primarily through a membership-based subscription model and is governed by a board that includes UNITY, Fraunhofer ISST, Microsoft, NTT Communications, Gaia-X, and TNO, with managing directors Thorsten Hülsmann and Lars Nagel leading day-to-day operations.
IDSA's core product portfolio centers on three specifications: the IDS Reference Architecture Model (IDS-RAM), which defines the components, interactions, and principles of a data space; the Dataspace Protocol (DSP), which standardizes procedures for publishing, negotiating, and accessing data across platforms; and the IDSA Rulebook, which codifies functional, technical, operational, and legal requirements. Supporting offerings include the IDSA Knowledge Base, the Data Space Connector Report (relaunched October 2025), the Data Spaces Radar visibility tool, position papers, and a Data Space User Group community program. The technology stack is anchored by IDS Connectors, the Dynamic Attribute Provisioning Service (DAPS), Metadata Brokers, and Identity Providers, with implementations available via open-source GitHub repositories and the Eclipse Dataspace Working Group.
The association goes to market through community-led, standards-driven channels: membership programs, working groups, task forces, regional hubs, authorized training providers (Germany, Spain, China, Denmark, Bulgaria), and industry events including the Data Spaces Decade Forum marking IDSA's 10th anniversary in 2026. Strategic positioning is reinforced by alignment with the EU Data Act (in force September 2025), active pursuit of ISO/IEC standardization through JTC 1, advisory engagement with the European Commission, and a joint €23M Data Space Accelerator study with Catena-X to accelerate SME integration into industrial data spaces.
International Data Spaces Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- International Data Spaces Association
- Legal name
- International Data Spaces e. V.
- Website
- https://internationaldataspaces.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- International Data Spaces Association is a German non-profit standards body founded in 2016 that defines the IDS architecture, Dataspace Protocol, and Rulebook enabling sovereign, interoperable data sharing for organizations and standards bodies across industries worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
International Data Spaces Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Data Space Standards
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data Security & Access Governance for Data (Entitlements/Policy Enforcement) (HDAEADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Data Access Governance & Entitlement Management (DSPM / CIEM-for-Data) (HDADAFAG), Edge Compliance, Governance & Data Sovereignty Infrastructure (HDABAOAL)
Keywords
Where International Data Spaces Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dortmund
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
International Data Spaces Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: IDSA operates as a membership-based association. Organizations worldwide can become members to participate in working groups, influence standards development, and gain early access to specifications and implementations.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
International Data Spaces Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) is a non-profit standards organization that defines the technical and governance foundations for decentralized data spaces. Its core deliverables are the Dataspace Protocol (DSP), the IDS Reference Architecture Model (IDS-RAM), and the IDSA Rulebook, which together specify how organizations can share data securely, self-determinedly, and interoperably across industries and borders. Supporting offerings include the IDSA Knowledge Base, Data Spaces Radar tool, position papers, training, and certification programs distributed through authorized partners.
Product overview
International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) is a standards organization that provides a comprehensive framework for sovereign, trustworthy data sharing through a platform architecture. The core offerings consist of the Dataspace Protocol (the standardized interoperability framework), the IDS Reference Architecture Model (IDS-RAM, which defines technical components and architecture principles), and the IDSA Rulebook (covering functional, technical, operational, and legal requirements). Supporting these are the IDSA Knowledge Base (documentation repository), the Data Space Connector Report (connector analysis), IDSA Position Papers (in-depth research), the Data Space User Group (community program), and the Data Spaces Radar (visibility tool). Together, these products enable organizations to implement secure, self-determined, and interoperable data spaces across industries and borders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dataspace Protocol (DSP) A standardized framework developed by IDSA to address interoperability challenges in data sharing by defining the procedures and rules for publishing, negotiating, and accessing data across diverse platforms and systems. It integrates key processes common to all data spaces and is intended for organizations implementing or participating in decentralized data spaces.
- IDS Reference Architecture Model (IDS-RAM) A comprehensive Reference Architecture Model that guides the design and implementation of data spaces, defining key components, their interactions, and the principles that govern the architecture of data spaces. It is intended for architects, engineers, and program managers building or participating in IDS-compliant data spaces.
- IDSA Rulebook A comprehensive guide covering all essential functional, technical, operational, and legal requirements needed to design and operate data spaces based on IDS. It outlines mandatory and optional features, providing flexibility for tailored implementations while ensuring structured and reliable operations for organizations building IDS-compliant data spaces.
- Data Spaces Radar A tool providing visibility into data space developments and implementations across various sectors and regions, enabling organizations to discover and assess existing data space initiatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 30% quality improvement on AI models through federated learning techniques in IDS-based implementations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use International Data Spaces Association
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
International Data Spaces Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
International Data Spaces Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Catena-XcoreJoint initiative with Catena-X to launch the Data Space Accelerator study (€23M) to uncover how industrial data spaces create real value and accelerate SME integration into the Catena-X ecosystem.
- Gaia-XcoreCollaborative relationship with Gaia-X for data space interoperability. Gaia-X is represented on IDSA Board through Ulrich Ahle (Treasurer).
- Eclipse Dataspace Working GroupcoreEclipse Dataspace Working Group handles the Dataspace Protocol after initial development by IDSA Working Group Architecture. Eclipse Dataspace Components (EDC) form implementations used in data space projects.
- ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee 1coreIDSA is working towards making the Dataspace Protocol an ISO standard through ISO/IEC JTC 1 standardization process.
- CEN/CENELECcoreIDSA works with European standards bodies CEN/CENELEC alongside ISO and W3C to advance global standards for data spaces.
- European CommissioncoreIDSA advises the European Commission on advancing global standards for data spaces, supporting EU regulatory initiatives including the Data Act.
- DICE AllianceminorJoint webinar series on EU AI Act navigation and data space topics with DICE Alliance.
- IKERLANcoreLeading knowledge transfer technological centre that serves as technology coordinator for aiXia data space project and coordinates Mondragon Assembly EGOKIA initiative. IKERLAN is an IDSA member and BRTA cooperative member.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
International Data Spaces Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
International Data Spaces Association social profiles
Digital presenceInternational Data Spaces Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
International Data Spaces Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
International Data Spaces Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
International Data Spaces Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about International Data Spaces Association
What does International Data Spaces Association do?
International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) is a non-profit standards organization that defines the technical and governance foundations for decentralized data spaces. Its core deliverables are the Dataspace Protocol (DSP), the IDS Reference Architecture Model (IDS-RAM), and the IDSA Rulebook, which together specify how organizations can share data securely, self-determinedly, and interoperably across industries and borders. Supporting offerings include the IDSA Knowledge Base, Data Spaces Radar tool, position papers, training, and certification programs distributed through authorized partners.
Is International Data Spaces Association a public or private company?
International Data Spaces Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was International Data Spaces Association founded?
International Data Spaces Association was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is International Data Spaces Association based?
International Data Spaces Association is headquartered in Dortmund, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does International Data Spaces Association make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Does International Data Spaces Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for International Data Spaces Association.
What industry is International Data Spaces Association in?
International Data Spaces Association's product category is Data Space Standards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEADAH, Data Security & Access Governance for Data (Entitlements/Policy Enforcement), with a secondary code of HDADAFAG, Data Access Governance & Entitlement Management (DSPM / CIEM-for-Data). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7370.