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Portulans Institute

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portulansinstitute.orgWashington, DC, United States

Washington, DC-based independent nonprofit that conducts data-driven research and public-private dialogue on technology, innovation, and talent to boost competitiveness and inclusive growth.

Overview

Portulans Institute is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research and educational institute. It conducts data-driven research and public-private dialogue to understand how technology, innovation, and talent influence national competitiveness and societal outcomes. Its focus areas include technology competitiveness, innovation readiness, and people and global talent. The organization hosts and coordinates networks that connect policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, including knowledge partnerships, academic networks, communities of practice, and corporate partner programs. It produces authoritative analytics and reports to inform policy and strategy, and it engages in events and collaborations to translate insights into action. The institute emphasizes evidence-based analysis, cross-sector engagement, and inclusive growth through digital-age governance.

Mission statement

The Portulans Institute aims at providing them with the best available data and analyses, and the directions that they need.

What we offer

Network Readiness Index (NRI)

Assesses digital readiness across 133 economies for informed policymaking and strategy.

networkreadinessindex.org/

Global Innovation Index (GII)

Provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating global innovation performance.

www.wipo.int/en/web/global-innovation-index/2025/index

Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI)

GTCI provides insights for countries on cultivating, attracting, and retaining talent amidst global disruptions.

portulansinstitute.org/global-talent-competitiveness-index-2025/

NRI Knowledge Partners

Service

Support digital transformation and foster global collaboration through NRI Knowledge Partnerships.

portulansinstitute.org/knowledge-partners/

Affiliate Partners Network

Enhance competitiveness and future readiness through collaboration and dialogue.

portulansinstitute.org/affiliate-network/

Academic Network

Facilitates academic engagement and supports Global Innovation Index research.

portulansinstitute.org/academic-network/

Communities of Practice

Connects Experts to Foster Innovation and Policy Development.

portulansinstitute.org/communities-of-practice/

Market segments

Market size by segment

Growth potential (CAGR)

National innovation benchmarking

0.08 Billion USD7.5% CAGR

Benchmarks country-level innovation performance and provides standardized data and events to inform policy and strategy.

Talent competitiveness benchmarking

1.2 Billion USD11% CAGR

Measures country and city talent environments to guide talent policy, workforce strategy, and investment decisions.

Digital readiness benchmarking

20 Billion USD22.2% CAGR

Assesses national digital readiness across technology, governance, people, and investment to guide digital transformation and public-private collaboration.

Stakeholder convening and public-private collaboration

12 Billion USD9% CAGR

Convenes government, industry, academia, and civil society to translate research into policy, build capacity, and coordinate multi-sector initiatives.

More information about our offering

Network Readiness Index (NRI)

Network Readiness Index (NRI) is Portulans Institute's framework for evaluating how digital technologies affect societies and economies. It provides a holistic benchmark of digital readiness across economies, guiding policy and strategy and enabling public–private collaboration. The NRI covers 133 economies and 54 indicators and is used to assess progress in technology, people, governance, and impact.

  • Evaluates Global Performance
    Provides a comprehensive analysis of digital readiness, enabling comparison and insights across diverse economies.
  • Covers Technology, People, Governance, and Impact
    Offers a comprehensive view, integrating various dimensions essential for informed decision-making.
  • Guides Digital Strategy Development
    Helps governments and organizations leverage insights for effective, future-oriented digital strategies.
  • Promotes Collaborative Efforts
    Facilitates synergies among key stakeholders to foster a comprehensive approach to digital transformation.
  • Recognized as an Authoritative Resource
    Enhances credibility and visibility by being referenced in numerous high-profile reports and studies.
  • Highlights Investment Strategies
    Reveals how collaborative investments can boost digital transformation outcomes.

Global Innovation Index (GII)

Global Innovation Index (GII) is Portulans Institute's global benchmark for assessing the multidimensional facets of innovation-driven growth. Co-published with WIPO, Cornell University, and INSEAD, the GII enables cross-country comparisons, informs policy, and supports public-private dialogue on innovation.

  • Strengthens Credibility
    Ensures the index is authoritative and widely recognized in global policy discussions.
  • Enables Comparative Analysis
    Facilitates insights into how different economies perform regarding innovation outputs.
  • Comprehensive Evaluation
    Addresses various indicators that affect innovation, such as research, technology, and industry collaboration.
  • Encourages Collaboration
    Serves as a platform for engaging multiple stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.
  • Highlights Key Findings
    Provides stakeholders with timely information to drive innovation policy and practices.
  • Enhances Accessibility
    Allows users to interactively analyze data by country, region, or sector for deeper insights.

Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI)

Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) is a global benchmark and action tool for talent competitiveness, established in 2012 and co-edited by Portulans Institute. It informs talent development strategies for business, governments, and analysts. The 2025 edition, themed 'Talent & Resilience: Navigating an Era of Disruption', highlights the effects of global shifts on talent dynamics.

  • Leverage Expertise from Top Institutions
    GTCI benefits from the combined knowledge and research capabilities of both Portulans Institute and INSEAD.
  • Establish Global Talent Standards
    GTCI serves as a reference point for evaluating and improving talent competitiveness globally.
  • Guide Strategic Talent Decisions
    Provides actionable insights for decision-makers on effectively developing and managing human capital.
  • Facilitate Multi-Sector Collaboration
    Acts as a shared resource for diverse stakeholders to align on talent competitiveness initiatives.
  • Address Modern Talent Challenges
    Highlights resilience strategies essential for thriving in a rapidly changing global economy.
  • Global Comparative Insights
    Provides a comprehensive overview of talent dynamics globally, facilitating best practice exchanges.

NRI Knowledge Partners

A select group of public or private institutions collaborating to advance the Network Readiness Index through research, dissemination, and events.

  • Contribute to Research Insights
    Partners actively participate in NRI research efforts, helping to shape findings that guide policy and practice.
  • Organize Collaborative Events
    Partners can co-host regional events that align with the mission of the NRI to increase visibility and engage stakeholders.
  • Uphold NRI Credibility
    Partners play a role in ensuring that the Network Readiness Index remains a credible, non-partisan resource.
  • Gain Early Access to Insights
    Partners benefit from exclusive briefings, providing them with important information that influences strategic decisions.
  • Engage with Diverse Partners
    Collaborate and share best practices with various institutions focused on promoting technology for inclusive growth.

Affiliate Partners Network

The Portulans Institute Affiliate Partners Network connects governmental, non-governmental, and corporate entities to foster dialogue on key themes related to innovation, technology, and talent and to advance digital readiness.

  • Engage Key Stakeholders
    Collaborate with various sectors to address challenges and opportunities in digital readiness and innovation.
  • Obtain Tailored Reports
    Receive specially designed reports that provide in-depth analysis and insights into performance and competition.
  • Receive Public Recognition
    Gain visibility at select events, showcasing contributions and enhancing reputation within relevant sectors.
  • Contribute to Research
    Engage in meaningful research activities that shape policy and practice in innovation and technology.
  • Host Regional Events
    Facilitate and participate in events that promote collaboration among local actors in support of the mission.

Academic Network

The Portulans Institute Academic Network engages world-leading universities and their faculty in Global Innovation Index research and supports the dissemination of GII results within the academic community.

  • Enhances Knowledge Sharing
    Facilitates broad accessibility to Global Innovation Index findings, enriching academic discourse and research.
  • Fosters Collaborations
    Brings together top universities for a collective effort in Global Innovation research, enhancing its academic rigor and outreach.
  • Encourages Joint Research
    Supports partnerships that yield impactful studies and innovative solutions in global competitiveness and technology.
  • Involves Students
    Engages graduate students in meaningful research, enhancing their educational journey and contributing fresh perspectives.

Communities of Practice

Portulans Institute Communities of Practice bring together experts from public and private sectors involved in policy-making, research, or the development of market solutions. Each CoP is led by a PI Senior Fellow.

  • Benefit from Expert Leadership
    Participants gain insights and direction from seasoned leaders in digital development and policy-making.
  • Leverage Diverse Perspectives
    Collaboration across sectors ensures comprehensive approaches to policy and innovation challenges.
  • Drive Relevant Solutions
    Focused discussions lead to actionable insights that bridge research and market realities.
  • Promote Inclusive Development
    Engagement in sustainable growth discussions aids in addressing equity and inclusion through technology.

References

Methodology and sourcing behind the market figures shown above.

National innovation benchmarking

Used the SNSInsider innovation management market (global) as a proximate upper-market anchor (valued USD 2.39B in 2025; CAGR 11.58%). National innovation benchmarking (indices, country-level data services, policy events, and advisory) is a small niche subset of innovation-related data and services; estimated at roughly 3–4% of the broader innovation management market (~USD 0.08B). Growth potential is modest but positive—lower than the broader commercial innovation-management software/services market due to public-sector procurement cycles and niche demand—estimated CAGR ~7.5%.

Talent competitiveness benchmarking

Estimate based on the scope and demand implied by global benchmarking products (e.g., GTCI covering 135 economies and IMD World Talent Ranking) and internal-sector knowledge: talent-competitiveness benchmarking is a niche segment within broader HR analytics, consulting, and employer-branding markets. I allocated a small share of the global HR analytics/consulting market to benchmarking services, adjusted for public-sector and multi-country index activity, and applied an elevated CAGR (≈11%) reflecting accelerating demand driven by AI, workforce transformation, and rising government/corporate emphasis on talent policy and competitiveness.

Digital readiness benchmarking

Used reported global digital transformation market size and growth as the parent market (ResearchNester: $2 trillion in 2026, 22.2% CAGR). Digital readiness benchmarking is a niche early-stage advisory/benchmarking subset of digital transformation (assessments, consulting, indices, tools). Assuming readiness benchmarking represents roughly ~1% of the overall digital transformation market (typical assessment/diagnostic share within large transformation budgets), the estimated market size is about $20 billion. Growth potential is aligned with the parent digital transformation CAGR (22.2%), given rising demand for assessments to de-risk and prioritize digital investments.

Stakeholder convening and public-private collaboration

Search results contain no direct global market valuation for convening/public–private collaboration services. I used reported adjacent figures as proxies: the SDG investment opportunity (~$12 trillion) and large private social-enterprise revenues (~$2 trillion) indicate substantial demand for cross‑sector platforms; donor and private flows dominating development finance (Brookings: non‑official/private flows account for the majority) imply ongoing funding for partnership facilitation. Conservatively, I estimate the annual market for stakeholder convening (consulting, platform management, facilitation, events, technical assistance and related advisory services) at roughly $12 billion worldwide, driven by allocations from ODA, corporate social/impact budgets, philanthropic grants and consulting spend. Given rising SDG/ESG commitments, digital platform adoption, and donor emphasis on multi‑stakeholder approaches, a mid‑single‑digit to high‑single‑digit CAGR is plausible; I estimate ~9% CAGR over the next 5–7 years.

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