Community Data

Overview

Community Data is a shared data resource focused initially on startups, offering structured records of people and companies to application builders and other data users. It is best for developers who want to query or extend an open dataset rather than buy a finished research service.

The project describes a collection of more than 1 million people and companies, including company profiles and funding data. Records live in an open-source repository, with access through a public GraphQL API. That makes it a flexible foundation for custom tools, but users need to bring their own application or analysis workflow.

Key features

Schema-based records

JSON documents use schemas for people, companies, locations, sectors, funding stages and curated collections. Each repository commit is checked against its corresponding JSON Schema, and invalid documents are rejected. This gives contributors a consistent structure to work within; it does not by itself establish that records are accurate or complete.

API and open contributions

Developers can query the public GraphQL API and build their own applications. Anyone can contribute by creating or editing a JSON file in the repository, and the project invites developers to list API-based applications in its apps repository. This collaborative model suits teams prepared to work directly with data, but offers less to people looking for a ready-made interface for company research.

Editor, enhancers and ownership

The proof-of-concept editor is a Next.js application that uses the GitHub API; contributors sign in with GitHub accounts. Enhancer scripts can draw on public APIs or websites, structure information to the project’s schemas and import it into the repository. These routes can help contributors add or maintain records, though they depend on familiarity with repositories, scripts or GitHub.

Person records can cite Twitter, LinkedIn or a personal website as proof sources. A contributor can demonstrate ownership through a core disambiguation attribute; the verification service records that person’s GitHub username as an owner. Pull requests from listed owners are merged automatically without review. That can make routine owner updates faster, but it places added importance on careful ownership verification.

Governance and license

Schema changes go through pull requests and are reviewed by core contributors during monthly governance calls. The project uses the MIT License, with copyright 2025. This is a permissive basis for building with the data, while schema changes follow a contributor-led review process rather than an individual user’s control.

Pricing

Community Data is free. The Community Data plan costs nothing and includes the open-source database and public GraphQL API. There are no paid tiers or stated usage caps in the plan. Its value is strongest for developers who can use the API or repository directly; it does not bundle a commercial research product or a managed analysis workflow.

Platforms

Community Data is available on the web and through its API. The API is the central access route for developers building applications, while the repository supports contributions to the underlying records.

Who it's for

Choose Community Data if you are building an application or analysis process around startup ecosystem records and want both API access and the ability to contribute improvements. It is less suitable for users who need a polished, ready-to-use research platform or prefer not to work with structured data and GitHub-based contribution tools.

Pros and cons

Open data with broad stated coverage: the collection covers more than 1 million people and companies, giving developers a substantial starting point for startup-focused applications.

Clear structural checks: schema validation rejects invalid commits, helping maintain consistent record formats across contributors.

Usable without a subscription: the public GraphQL API and repository are free, and there is no paid plan to unlock the core offering.

Not a complete research workflow: users building on the data need to supply their own application or analysis tools.

Owner updates bypass review: automatic merging of listed owners’ pull requests streamlines changes but makes accurate ownership verification consequential.

Alternatives

Startup Databases is a directory of startup database options for readers comparing the category. Choose Tracxn instead if a freemium service with a free trial and Lite or Premium access is a better fit than an open repository and API. CB Insights is the paid alternative, with a free trial and a User License at $417 a month, billed $5,000 annually; its plan includes full platform access, AI-powered insights, 12M companies and 1B data points. FirstGlance is another free option with a free plan across Android, iOS and web. FlareSight offers a free plan with 5 company profile views per day and a Starter plan for readers who want a different freemium service. Harmonic is a paid option with a trial and console access spanning company and people data, network mapping and CSV export. Discover Startups has a free forever directory plan for readers seeking a separate startup directory. ITjuzi is a freemium option with paid membership plans and download credits. Selva offers free Public and Login plans for users comparing another freemium data service.

Verdict

Community Data is a strong choice for developers who want free access to a large, schema-based startup dataset and the ability to improve it collaboratively. Its main advantage is combining an open repository with a public GraphQL API; its main drawback is that it leaves the application and research workflow to the user. Choose it to build on shared data, and look elsewhere for a packaged research platform.