Open Ownership
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersAlexandria, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
Open Ownership firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Open Ownership
- Legal name
- Open Ownership
- Website
- https://openownership.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Open Ownership industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Beneficial Ownership Transparency / Open Data Standards
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beneficial Ownership (UBO) & Corporate Registry Verification (KYB) (FSAMAMAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Data Sharing & Data Marketplace Governance (HDAEADAK), Privacy Management (Consent, DSAR, RoPA) (HDADAFAH)
Keywords
Where Open Ownership is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandria
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Open Ownership business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Funding and Grants: Open Ownership is funded by international development funding, governments, and institutional partners. The organization operates as a non-profit entity focused on global public goods rather than commercial revenue generation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free access to all resources, tools, and standards |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Open Ownership product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Open Ownership develops and maintains the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard (BODS), an open international data standard for describing beneficial ownership as machine-readable data. The organization also provides implementation guidance, policy advisory, and technical assistance to governments implementing beneficial ownership transparency reforms, including tools for data validation, visualization, and analysis.
Product overview
Open Ownership is a non-profit organization that drives the global shift towards transparency and accountability in corporate ownership and control. The organization's primary offering is the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard (BODS) - an open JSON Schema-based international standard for describing beneficial ownership as machine-readable data. The BODS product portfolio includes the core data standard (with three statement types: entity, person, and ownership-or-control statements), the BODS Data Review Tool for validation, a Data Visualisation Library for creating ownership diagrams, Data Analysis Tools, a Red Flags Analysis tool for anti-money laundering investigations, and an RDF Vocabulary for linked data interoperability. Supporting these tools are the Open Ownership Principles framework (nine principles for effective disclosure), implementation guidance documents (including the Guide to Implementing Beneficial Ownership Transparency), the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Workbook, and the Opening Extractives Programme. The Open Ownership Map provides a global overview of beneficial ownership transparency commitments. Together, these products form a comprehensive ecosystem enabling governments to collect, verify, store, and publish high-quality beneficial ownership data that is interoperable across jurisdictions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Beneficial Ownership Data Standard (BODS): An open standard providing guidance for collecting, storing and exchanging high-quality data on beneficial ownership.
- Open Ownership Principles
- BEAM Programme
Products and services
- Beneficial Ownership Data Standard (BODS) An open JSON Schema-based standard providing guidance for collecting, storing, and exchanging high-quality data on beneficial ownership. The standard defines three statement types (entity statements, person statements, and ownership-or-control statements), supports direct and indirect beneficial ownership relationships, and enables interoperability between beneficial ownership registries worldwide. Targeted at government implementers and developers building beneficial ownership systems.
- BODS Data Review Tool An open source tool that checks whether beneficial ownership data complies with the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard. Allows implementers to validate their data against the BODS JSON schema to ensure conformance. Targeted at government implementers and developers.
- BODS Data Visualisation Library An open source data visualisation library that automatically creates beneficial ownership diagrams from BODS-formatted data. Enables visual representation of ownership or control structures. Targeted at developers and government implementers.
- BODS Data Analysis Tools Tools to discover, download and analyse open beneficial ownership data republished in line with the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard. Enables users to work with BODS-compliant datasets from various jurisdictions. Targeted at researchers, journalists, and analysts.
- BODS Red Flags Analysis A tool demonstrating how high-quality BODS data can support anti-money laundering investigations by highlighting risk factors and red flags which data users want to spot. Targeted at compliance professionals, AML investigators, and risk analysts.
- RDF Vocabulary for BODS A Resource Description Framework (RDF) vocabulary for the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard that supports linked data users. Enables beneficial ownership data to be published as or converted to linked data formats. Targeted at developers and linked data practitioners.
- Beneficial Ownership Visualisation System (BOVS) A specification for illustrating beneficial ownership structures using diagrams. Provides standardised visual representation methods for ownership and control relationships. Targeted at implementers and data users.
- Open Ownership Principles A framework of nine interdependent principles grouped into Disclosure/Collection, Storage/Auditability, and Quality/Reliability categories that define effective beneficial ownership disclosure. Principles cover Definition, Coverage, Detail, Central register, Access, Structured data, Verification, Up-to-date and historical records, and Sanctions and enforcement. Targeted at governments implementing beneficial ownership transparency reforms.
- Guide to Implementing Beneficial Ownership Transparency Expert guidance for implementing beneficial ownership transparency, covering the full journey from commitment to data use. Provides technical and policy support for governments implementing reforms. Targeted at government implementers and policy makers.
- Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Workbook A practical tool for implementers to design effective disclosure regimes. Part of the implementation toolkit supporting governments in creating beneficial ownership registers. Targeted at government implementers.
- Guide to Doing User Research for Beneficial Ownership Systems Guidance for all implementers of beneficial ownership registers on conducting user research, from in-house digital teams to specialised contractors. Targeted at government digital teams and contractors.
- Opening Extractives Programme An ambitious global programme undertaken jointly with the EITI, aiming to transform the availability and use of beneficial ownership data for effective governance in the extractive sector. Targeted at governments and stakeholders in extractive industries.
- Open Ownership Map An interactive map showing worldwide action on beneficial ownership transparency. Displays which countries have planned or are implementing reforms, which have launched live central registers, and provides country or regional profile pages. Targeted at researchers, journalists, and policy makers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nigeria became first African country to launch public beneficial ownership register
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Open Ownership
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Open Ownership technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Open Ownership partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF)coreLaunched the Global Open Data Integration Network (GODIN) to foster open data practices and collaboration among organizations that publish open data or set open data standards. GLEIF corporate ownership data republished in BODS format.
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)flagshipOpen Ownership and UNODC have developed joint case studies on best practices and challenges in using beneficial ownership information, and co-organize events at UNCAC Conferences of States Parties. The partnership aims to ensure beneficial ownership data is available and utilized to maximize impact in fighting corruption and asset recovery.
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)coreJoint undertaking of the Opening Extractives programme, an ambitious global initiative aiming to transform the availability and use of beneficial ownership data for effective governance in the extractive sector. Co-hosting side events at international conferences.
- World Bank Group - Beneficial Ownership Transparency Working GroupflagshipCo-organizing the 2026 Research Symposium on Evidence and Impact of Beneficial Ownership Transparency with World Bank's Thematic Working Group and University of Sussex. Partnership for evidence-based policymaking and implementation of BOT reforms.
- Centre for the Study of Corruption at University of SussexflagshipAcademic partner co-organizing the 2026 Research Symposium on Evidence and Impact of Beneficial Ownership Transparency. Partnership aims to elevate BOT on academic research agendas internationally.
- Open Data Services Co-operativecoreDeveloped the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard specification and documentation. Ongoing collaboration on BODS RDF vocabulary updates and technical guidance development.
- Open Ownership Steering Group (Transparency International, OpenCorporates, One, Open Contracting Partnership, Global Witness, The B Team)coreSteering group of world's leading transparency organizations providing governance oversight for Open Ownership and Beneficial Ownership Data Standard development.
- UK Government - Companies HousecoreClose collaboration on implementation of UK beneficial ownership transparency (PSC Register and Register of Overseas Entities). Open Ownership provides evidence, advice, and data analysis to support implementation and improvement. UK data republished in BODS format.
- Government of CanadacoreCanada passed Bill C-42 committing to using Open Ownership's BODS for their national public beneficial ownership register. Open Ownership Deputy Executive Director participating in Canadian transparency events.
- Government of Philippines - Department of Education (DepEd)corePartnership to advance transparency in education procurement through beneficial ownership transparency. Open Ownership providing technical guidance and support.
- Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) of ZambiacorePartnership with PACRA and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to overhaul how PACRA collects data on real owners of corporate entities, including business register reform.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Open Ownership competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Open Contracting Partnership: Open Contracting Partnership is an Open Ownership Steering Group member working on similar transparency-infrastructure themes—open government data, disclosure standards, and accountability for public procurement. Their work on Open Contracting Data Standard parallels Open Ownership's BODS approach.
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI): EITI is Open Ownership's Flagship partner on the Opening Extractives programme, collaborating on beneficial-ownership transparency specifically for extractive-industries governance. They share a closely aligned mission on disclosure standards and implementation support, though EITI's scope is sector-specific.
- Stichting Beneficial Ownership Foundation (BOF): BOF is a non-profit working specifically on beneficial-ownership transparency reform, providing research and policy advice. It overlaps closely with Open Ownership's policy and reform-advisory work, though BOF is more focused on legal-framework analysis and Open Ownership on data/technical standards.
- Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF): GLEIF maintains the global LEI standard for legal-entity identification and co-launched the Global Open Data Integration Network (GODIN) with Open Ownership. Both organizations develop open data standards for legal-entity/corporate information and are pursuing linked-data interoperability.
- OpenCorporates: OpenCorporates operates the largest open database of legal-entity corporate records and is also part of Open Ownership's Steering Group. It overlaps directly with Open Ownership on corporate-transparency data and KYC/KYB use cases, though OpenCorporates focuses on entity-level data while Open Ownership focuses specifically on beneficial-ownership depth and standards.
Others
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF): FATF sets the global AML/CFT Recommendations that drive most government demand for beneficial-ownership transparency. It is not a competitor but a regulatory anchor; Open Ownership's BODS implementation support aligns governments with FATF expectations, making FATF an indirect upstream enabler of demand.
Broad incumbents
- Global Witness: Global Witness is an investigative anti-corruption NGO and Open Ownership Steering Group member that campaigns on beneficial-ownership transparency and illicit financial flows. It shares the broader transparency mission but focuses on advocacy and investigative journalism rather than technical standards.
- OECD Anti-Corruption Division: OECD's Integrity Forum and Public Integrity Indicators work overlaps with Open Ownership's evidence-and-impact agenda on beneficial-ownership transparency. OECD publishes broader standards on integrity, anti-corruption, and beneficial-ownership that complement rather than directly compete with BODS.
- Transparency International: Transparency International is the largest global anti-corruption NGO and a member of Open Ownership's Steering Group. It works on related transparency reforms (beneficial-ownership advocacy, anti-corruption policy) but at much broader scope across the corruption lifecycle, from advocacy to research to advocacy rating indices.
Emerging players
- Publish What You Pay (PWYP): Publish What You Pay is a global civil-society coalition that has expanded from extractive-industries revenue transparency into beneficial-ownership advocacy (e.g., the End Snow-washing Coalition). It shares Open Ownership's goals but is broader-scope and more advocacy-oriented.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Open Ownership social profiles
Digital presenceOpen Ownership financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Open Ownership leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Open Ownership funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Open Ownership 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 Open Ownership
What does Open Ownership do?
Open Ownership develops and maintains the Beneficial Ownership Data Standard (BODS), an open international data standard for describing beneficial ownership as machine-readable data. The organization also provides implementation guidance, policy advisory, and technical assistance to governments implementing beneficial ownership transparency reforms, including tools for data validation, visualization, and analysis.
Is Open Ownership a public or private company?
Open Ownership is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Open Ownership founded?
Open Ownership was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Open Ownership based?
Open Ownership is headquartered in Alexandria, United States, in the North America region.
How does Open Ownership make money?
One revenue line is on record: funding and Grants.
Who are Open Ownership's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Open Contracting Partnership, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Stichting Beneficial Ownership Foundation (BOF), Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) and OpenCorporates. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Global Witness, OECD Anti-Corruption Division and Transparency International. Publish What You Pay (PWYP) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Open Ownership have an API?
No public API is recorded for Open Ownership.
What industry is Open Ownership in?
Open Ownership's product category is Beneficial Ownership Transparency / Open Data Standards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAMAMAK, Beneficial Ownership (UBO) & Corporate Registry Verification (KYB), with a secondary code of HDAEADAK, Data Sharing & Data Marketplace Governance.