DQ Institute

What DQ Institute does

DQ Institute (DQI) is a Singapore-headquartered international nonprofit think tank, registered as a 501(c)(3) in the United States and a not-for-profit in Singapore, that develops global standards and assessment instruments for digital intelligence. Its flagship offering is the DQ Framework, recognized as IEEE 3527.1-2020, the world's first global standard for digital literacy, skills, and readiness, structured into four levels and 32 competencies and aggregating 25 leading global approaches including UNESCO's Digital Citizenship Competency Framework and the European Commission's Digital Competence Framework. The portfolio is organized around three pillars: standards and assessment (DQ Global Standards, the Digital Citizenship Test, the Child Online Safety Index ranking 100 countries, and the DQ Index databank); the AI-powered Powered by DQ platform that certifies program alignment and produces real-time analytics; and program initiatives including #DQEveryChild, #DQforALL, the Digital Wellbeing Alliance, the Digital-ESG Framework, the TDFD taskforce, and the Green Digital Economy Platform.

The business model is a hybrid of nonprofit grant funding, tiered #DQforALL partnerships, program endorsement/licensing (DQ SEAL), research and index services, and consumer/enterprise distribution through white-label partnerships. Primary customer segments are national governments and education ministries (UK, Singapore, Myanmar, Mexico, India, Australia), K-12 schools, NGOs and program providers, corporate organizations for Digital-ESG reporting, and the #DQEveryChild initiative targeting children aged 8-12 globally. Distribution combines direct relationships, a self-serve AI certification platform, and high-reach partner channels including LEGO.com and TikTok's in-app Family Safety Toolkit across APAC.

The ecosystem is anchored by the Coalition for Digital Intelligence (CDI), a multi-stakeholder initiative co-founded with the OECD, IEEE Standards Association, and the World Economic Forum. DQI operates a small 11-50 employee organization funded through grants, partnership fees, and collaborative arrangements rather than disclosed venture or institutional rounds, with trademarks held by a related Singapore entity, DQ World Pte. Ltd.

Name

DQ Institute

Legal name

DQ Institute

Website

https://dqinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DQ Institute is a Singapore-based international nonprofit think tank that develops and licenses the IEEE 3527.1-2020 global standard for digital literacy, serving governments, schools, NGOs, and corporates through assessments, the Child Online Safety Index, and the AI-powered Powered by DQ certification platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Literacy Standards

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Assessment, Testing & Analytics Platforms (Formative/Summative) (EDAJAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Test Item Banks, Question Authoring & Assessment Design Tools (EDAFADAC), Transcript, Score Reporting & Verification/Credential Wallet Platforms (EDAFADAO), Digital Assessment Platforms & Computer-Based Testing Authorities (EDADAFAK)

Keywords

• Digital literacy standards
• Online safety indices
• Digital citizenship education
• AI literacy platform
• ESG framework development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bukit Merah

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partnership and Membership Fees: Organizations join the #DQforALL network at three tiers of commitment, gaining access to monitoring tools, visibility as registered partners, program endorsement, and customized impact tracking.
2. Licensing and Endorsement: Program endorsement proving alignment with DQ Global Standards can be used by organizations on their communication assets, representing a licensing relationship.
3. Research and Index Services: COSI provides national-level measurements that countries use to track performance, potentially as paid advisory or data services.
4. 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Operations: DQI operates as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States and as a not-for-profit foundation in Singapore, relying on grants, donations, and charitable funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DQ Institute develops and disseminates global standards, frameworks, and AI-powered platforms for digital intelligence education. Its core offerings include the DQ Global Standards (IEEE 3527.1-2020), the Child Online Safety Index (COSI), the Digital Citizenship Test, the Digital-ESG Framework, and the AI-powered Powered by DQ certification platform that enables organizations to create and certify digital literacy programs aligned with global standards.

Product overview

DQ Institute offers a comprehensive suite of interconnected digital intelligence products organized around its core DQ Framework (IEEE 3527.1-2020). The portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) Standards & Assessment - DQ Global Standards, Digital Citizenship Test, Child Online Safety Index, and DQ Index for global measurement; (2) AI-Powered Platform - Powered by DQ (PBDQ) AI certification system with algorithm-based validation and real-time analytics; (3) Programs & Initiatives - #DQEveryChild, #DQforALL, Digital Wellbeing Alliance, DQWorld.net e-learning platform, DQ School Package for educators, and partnership products like TikTok Family Safety Toolkit and LEGO Doom the Gloom. Additionally, the Digital-ESG Framework and TDFD Taskforce address corporate sustainability in the digital economy. The Green Digital Economy Platform extends DQ methodology to agricultural sectors. All products connect to the central DQ Index databank for tracking collective global impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Powered by DQ: AI-powered certification system for digital literacy programs that certifies alignment with IEEE DQ Global Standards and creates assessment tools connected to DQ Indices.
• Child Online Safety Index (COSI)
• Digital Citizenship Test (DCT)
• Digital-ESG
• DQ Global Standards
• #DQEveryChild
• #DQforALL
• Taskforce on Digital-related Financial Disclosures (TDFD)
• DQ World

Products and services

• Powered by DQ (PBDQ) AI-powered digital skills engine that enables any organization to develop high-quality digital skills programs tailored to specific needs, aligned with IEEE-DQ Global Standards. Features AI-powered certification system, assessment tools, and real-time analytics dashboard.
• DQ Global Standards The global standard for digital literacy, skills, and readiness (IEEE 3527.1-2020). A comprehensive framework with four levels, eight competency areas, and 32 competencies composed of knowledge, skills, and attitudes/values.
• Child Online Safety Index (COSI) National-level measure of child online safety that countries use to track their performance and progress. Includes rankings of 100 countries based on data from children and adolescents across six stakeholder categories.
• Digital Citizenship Test (DCT) Online/mobile test that helps individuals identify their digital citizen 'type' and shows how ready they are to use technology safely and responsibly. Results are connected to the DQ Index.
• Digital-ESG Framework Comprehensive ESG framework addressing digital-related risks and opportunities from technology's impact on society and environment. Includes Beyond-Sustainability, Cross Economy, and 40 Digital-ESG criteria grouped under DQ areas.
• DQWorld.net Gamified online learning platform teaching digital citizenship to children through interactive games and activities. Includes DQ Test and online learning modules.
• DQ School Package

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% of children and adolescents experienced at least one cyber risk in 2022, down from pre-pandemic levels of 70%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and major.

• Coalition for Digital Intelligence (CDI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2018Platform created in association with World Economic Forum, formed jointly by OECD, IEEE Standards Association, and DQ Institute to establish global framework for Digital Intelligence including common definitions, language, and understanding of comprehensive digital literacy, skills, and readiness.
• IEEE Standards AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEEE Standards Association approved DQ Global Standards as IEEE 3527.1-2020, the world-first global standard for digital literacy, skills, and readiness.
• World Economic ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEF partnered with DQ Institute to launch CDI at Sustainable Impact Summit 2018; publishes DQ as must-have skills for children; DQI founder participates in Davos annual meetings.
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOECD identified digital competencies as fundamental for future readiness; partnered through CDI to establish global framework for digital intelligence.
• LEGO GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLEGO partnered with DQ Institute to create interactive digital empathy learning experiences for Safer Internet Day, teaching children vital digital citizenship skills. First toy manufacturer to partner with DQ Institute. Experience available on LEGO.com/kids-saferinternetday.
• TikTokflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTikTok collaborated with DQ Institute and JA Worldwide to launch Family Safety Toolkit aligned with DQ Global Standards. Provides digital parenting tips and safety tools for families. First of its kind toolkit available in TikTok app for APAC countries.
• JA WorldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJunior Achievement partnered with DQ Institute and TikTok for Family Safety Toolkit distribution, particularly in APAC markets including Malaysia and Philippines.
• NUS Centre for Governance and SustainabilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNUS Business School and DQ Institute collaboration in launching TDFD (Taskforce on Digital-related Financial Disclosures) to develop international standards for digital-related financial disclosures.
• Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTU collaborated with DQ Institute in developing Digital-ESG framework, with Professor Nam-Joon Cho coining the term 'Cross Economy' with Dr. Park.
• Future Consensus Institute (Yeosijae)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKorean think-tank co-funded the Digital-ESG Project of DQ Institute. Co-organized 10th Asia-Korea Conference where Digital-ESG Whitepaper was beta launched.
• T4 EducationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerT4 Education and HP founded Asia Education Medal; DQ Institute founder Dr. Yuhyun Park named finalist for inaugural award recognizing education impact across Asia.
• Indonesia GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Digital Economy Platform (GDEP) endorsed by Dr. Moeldoko, Indonesia's Presidential Chief of Staff, to empower 62 million Indonesian farmers with AI and technology.
• SkillsFuture SingaporemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of DQ Framework; uses framework to assess digital skills and align workforce skills with global standards for technological upheavals.
• SingtelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingtel involved in development and implementation of DQ Framework from beginning; believes in promotion of responsible digital citizenship.
• Varkey FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRuns Global Education and Skills Forum where DQ Global Standards Report 2019 was launched; Vikas Pota is Chairman of Board.
• AshokacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Yuhyun Park is an Ashoka Fellow elected in 2013; DQ Institute shortlisted for Ashoka Youth Empowerment Accelerator program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MediaSmarts: Canadian center for digital and media literacy, producing K-12 classroom resources, teacher guides, and research on children's online experiences — closely analogous to DQ Institute's K-12 digital citizenship mandate.
• Netsafe: New Zealand's online safety non-profit providing reporting, education, and advisory services for harmful digital content; comparable national-scale child online safety organization to DQ Institute's country-level initiatives.
• Khan Academy: Large-scale online learning platform serving K-12 and adult learners globally, including a digital-literacy/AI-literacy curriculum — comparable as a self-serve learning delivery model to DQWorld.net.
• Common Sense Media: Largest US-based digital literacy and online safety organization for children and families; offers curriculum, ratings, and parent resources that directly overlap DQ Institute's digital citizenship and child online safety portfolio.
• ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education): Sets widely adopted edtech standards and teacher/certification frameworks; comparable as an education-standards body whose authority, like IEEE 3527.1, shapes classroom practice globally.
• Internet Matters: UK-based non-profit focused on child online safety, digital resilience, and parental guidance; a national champion in the same child online safety space where DQ Institute's COSI operates.

Broad incumbents

• Discovery Education: Major K-12 digital content provider offering curriculum, assessment, and educator resources at scale; broader incumbent in edtech content where DQ Institute competes for curriculum and partnership slots.
• Sesame Workshop: Global non-profit producing research-based educational media for children, including digital wellbeing and citizenship content; a broader incumbent in children's educational content that competes for the same family and school audiences.

Emerging players

• CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning): Standards body for social-emotional learning (SEL) that overlaps with DQ's socio-emotional competencies; comparable as a standards/framework organization competing for school-system adoption budget.

Others

• OECD Directorate for Education and Skills: Policy think-tank that co-created the Coalition for Digital Intelligence with DQ Institute and informs national digital skills frameworks; partner and reference rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DQforAll
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEs9Av_hrYf7PzY3pXrY_VQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/DQInstitute.org/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dqinstitute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about DQ Institute