How can I be a dataspace pioneer for my industry?

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2025

In today’s data-driven world, businesses need secure and efficient ways to share information while maintaining control. Dataspaces enable trusted, decentralized data exchange, fostering collaboration, compliance and innovation across industries. Learn how they work and why they matter.

Dataspace basics

At its core, a dataspace is a shared, secure environment where companies exchange data while staying in control of their own information. It allows businesses to collaborate, share insights and improve efficiency without giving up ownership of their data.

Unlike traditional data platforms, a dataspace is decentralized, meaning that no single company owns or controls all the data. Instead, businesses interact via standardized “connectors” which ensure that data is exchanged securely and according to contractually agreed terms.

Key benefits of dataspaces:

More efficient collaboration: Companies can securely share data with partners, suppliers and customers without complex integrations.
Data control & security: Businesses decide who can access their data and under what conditions, ensuring compliance with regulations like the German Supply Chain Act.
Innovation & new services: By sharing and combining data, companies can create new business models and improve products and services.

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How does a dataspace work?

A dataspace functions as a network of connectors that allow businesses to offer and access data services within a trusted ecosystem. Instead of storing all data in one place, a dataspace ensures that data remain with the owner and are only shared under agreed conditions. This decentralized approach prevents vendor lock-in and promotes secure, compliant data exchange.

One example is Catena-X, a dataspace designed for the automotive industry. It enables automakers, suppliers and service providers to share value chain, sustainability and quality management data securely. Cofinity-X is the first operator within the Catena-X dataspace, offering tools and services that help companies connect and exchange data in a standardized and trusted way. Learn more about what the automotive industry is doing with the Catena-X dataspace in this publication by Mercedes-Benz.

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A federated and sovereign data infrastructure

According to Rieberg, Niebel and Kraemer (2022), a dataspace is “a federated, open infrastructure for sovereign data sharing based on common policies, rules and standards.”

This means that a dataspace is not a single database or cloud platform, but rather a framework that connects different companies’ data, while ensuring data sovereignty through common governance principles.

The EU-based Gaia-X initiative, for example, provides the technical and governance foundation for dataspaces across industries, enabling businesses to participate in secure, fair and interoperable data exchange while ensuring compliance with European data protection laws.

Unlike traditional data-sharing methods, Gaia-X ensures that dataspaces can operate under harmonized policies, allowing different industries – such as automotive, chemicals and finance – to exchange data seamlessly without losing control. By providing a transparent and standardized governance model, Gaia-X fosters trust and innovation across sectors.

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Beyond automotive: the future of dataspaces

While Catena-X is a leading example in the automotive sector, the concept of secure and trusted data sharing applies to many other industries. That’s why Cofinity-X, as a neutral dataspace operator, is extending its expertise beyond automotive to other sectors, such as the chemical industry through the Chem-X project. Such a dataspace in the chemical sector would enable companies to track materials, ensure regulatory compliance and support sustainability goals.

As industries recognize the value of dataspaces, the challenge remains: How do companies implement these solutions at scale? This is where Cofinity-X plays a critical role.

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A business-driven approach with Cofinity-X

Unlike publicly funded research projects, which often focus on theoretical models or pilot-phase developments, Cofinity-X is dedicated to delivering real-world, scalable applications with a strong emphasis on business impact and return on investment (ROI).

By combining our experience in operating dataspaces with a strong commercial focus, Cofinity-X bridges the gap between conceptual frameworks and practical implementation. We ensure that businesses not only comply with evolving data-sharing standards but also gain a competitive advantage by using trusted, scalable and efficient data ecosystems.

Cofinity-X also provides secure test environments so you can explore applications before fully committing.

See the table below for ideas on how a dataspace could benefit your industry. Also, for more information on how dataspaces work and their impact on different industries, check out the whitepaper from Gaia-X Hub Germany “What is a Data Space”.

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