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portulansinstitute.org

Washington, 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.

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.

Products & Services

Network Readiness Index (NRI) Product

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

networkreadinessindex.org
  • 133 Economies and 54 Indicators — Evaluates Global Performance
  • Holistic Digital Readiness Framework — Covers Technology, People, Governance, and Impact
  • Policy and Strategy Guidance — Guides Digital Strategy Development
  • Public–Private Partnership Focus — Promotes Collaborative Efforts
  • Widely Cited Benchmarking Tool — Recognized as an Authoritative Resource
  • Focus on Public-Private Investment — Highlights Investment Strategies

Global Innovation Index (GII) Product

Provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating global innovation performance.

www.wipo.int/en/web/global-innovation-index/2025/index
  • Co-published with WIPO, Cornell, and INSEAD — Strengthens Credibility
  • Global Benchmark for Innovation — Enables Comparative Analysis
  • Multidimensional Assessment — Comprehensive Evaluation
  • Public-Private Dialogue Support — Encourages Collaboration
  • Annual Global Launch Events — Highlights Key Findings
  • Interactive Data Tools — Enhances Accessibility

Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) Product

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

portulansinstitute.org/global-talent-competitiveness-index-2025
  • Co-developed by Portulans Institute and INSEAD — Leverage Expertise from Top Institutions
  • Global Benchmark for Talent Competitiveness — Establish Global Talent Standards
  • Supports Policy and Strategy Development — Guide Strategic Talent Decisions
  • Used by Business, Governments, and Analysts — Facilitate Multi-Sector Collaboration
  • 2025 Edition Focus on Resilience — Address Modern Talent Challenges
  • Coverage of 135 Economies — Global Comparative Insights

NRI Knowledge Partners Service

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

portulansinstitute.org/knowledge-partners
  • Engage with NRI Research — Contribute to Research Insights
  • Co-host Events — Organize Collaborative Events
  • Promote NRI Independence — Uphold NRI Credibility
  • Exclusive Briefings — Gain Early Access to Insights
  • Network of Partners — Engage with Diverse Partners

Affiliate Partners Network Platform

Enhance competitiveness and future readiness through collaboration and dialogue.

portulansinstitute.org/affiliate-network
  • Multisector Dialogue and Collaboration — Engage Key Stakeholders
  • Index Insights Access — Obtain Tailored Reports
  • Benefits for Partners — Receive Public Recognition
  • Innovation and Research Participation — Contribute to Research
  • Networking and Regional Events — Host Regional Events

Academic Network Platform

Facilitates academic engagement and supports Global Innovation Index research.

portulansinstitute.org/academic-network
  • Dissemination of GII Results — Enhances Knowledge Sharing
  • Engagement with Leading Universities — Fosters Collaborations
  • Scholarly Collaboration — Encourages Joint Research
  • Support for Graduate Students — Involves Students

Communities of Practice Platform

Connects Experts to Foster Innovation and Policy Development.

portulansinstitute.org/communities-of-practice
  • Leadership by Senior Fellow — Benefit from Expert Leadership
  • Multisector Expert Groups — Leverage Diverse Perspectives
  • Policy, Research and Market Focus — Drive Relevant Solutions
  • Sustainable Growth Initiatives — Promote Inclusive Development

Market Segments

Billion USD 0 5 10 15 20 National innova… Talent competit… Digital readine… Stakeholder con… Market Size (Billion USD)
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% 18% 20% 22% 24% 26% 28% CAGR Growth Potential

National innovation benchmarking

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

Market size: $80M CAGR: 7.5%
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%.
TH 1 reference

Talent competitiveness benchmarking

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

Market size: $1.2B CAGR: 11%
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

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

Market size: $20.0B CAGR: 22.2%
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.
DI GL 2 references

Stakeholder convening and public-private collaboration

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

Market size: $12.0B CAGR: 9%
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 $12 billion worldwide, driven by allocations from ODA, corporate social/impact budgets, philanthropic grants and consulting spend. Given rising SDG/ESG commitments, digital platform adoption, and donor emphasis on multi‑stakeholder approaches, a mid‑single‑digit to high‑single‑digit CAGR is plausible; I estimate ~9% CAGR over the next 5–7 years.
"$ "1 "N 3 references

Common Questions

What does Portulans Institute do?
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.
What is Portulans Institute's role in the National innovation benchmarking market?
Benchmarks country-level innovation performance and provides standardized data and events to inform policy and strategy.
What is Portulans Institute's role in the Talent competitiveness benchmarking market?
Measures country and city talent environments to guide talent policy, workforce strategy, and investment decisions.
How was the National innovation benchmarking market size estimate for Portulans Institute calculated?
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%.
How was the Talent competitiveness benchmarking market size estimate for Portulans Institute calculated?
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.
Portulans Institute — company overview