DOOF is a project focusing on transforming personal data governance and establishing a robust data economy. It introduces a framework for privacy-enhancing technologies, ensuring GDPR compliance and empowering individuals to manage their data rights effectively. DOOF aims to enhance trust and transparency by offering user-friendly data management tools and GDPR-compliant data exchanges. Its adaptability and scalability enable swift integration into existing software ecosystems for efficient deployment. The project’s goal is to create a transparent and user-centric data economy with increased data control for individuals.
Can you briefly present your team?
Ecosteer is an innovative SME based in Bolzano, Italy. Its focus are horizontal, sector-wide technologies that establish the concept of data ownership in a technical way through their patented multicast end-to-end encryption scheme and record-level encryption scheme.
The Data Ownership Orchestration Framework (DOOF), developed for NGI, instead provides the means for decentralised consent management, decoupled from data sharing plane. Together these technologies provide a robust framework that are fully compliant with EU legislation, such as the Data Act and the GDPR.
Ecosteer’s team comprises six people:
- Elena Pasquali – Ecosteer CEO & Co-Founder, a business leader with a strategic mindset and a track record of driving organizational success in technology and business.
- Daniel Grazioli – Ecosteer CTO and Co-Founder with deep ICT expertise, responsible for overseeing the company’s technological strategy and innovation.
- Giada Zanatta – Business Development Director, fostering Ecosteer’s growth and innovation through strategic business development and corporate partnerships.
- Gabriele Sankalaite – Technical Product Manager, bridging software development know-how with strategic project oversight for resilient solution delivery.
- Georgiana Bud – Software Engineer, adept in crafting scalable, modular, and secure software, combining development skills with a sharp analytical mindset.
- Daniele Scanferlato – Brand Director, shaping brand identity and product experience through expert visual communication and UX/UI design.
How did you come up with this project idea and what benefits will it bring to the end users?
We recognized a significant gap between the legislative requirements for data ownership and sharing, particularly under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the recently approved Data Act, and the capabilities of existing systems. These regulations aim to empower individuals by granting them greater control over their data, yet many current systems fail to meet these expectations. For instance, centralized data management systems tend to keep data control in the hands of intermediaries, which can lead to inefficiencies, increased costs and legal liabilities, and, most importantly, a lack of trust among data owners.
The DOOF project was born out of our desire to bridge this gap. We noticed that while data is becoming increasingly valuable—especially with the rise of smart devices—there is still a widespread issue with how data is managed and shared. Traditional approaches not only complicate compliance with regulations but also discourage data owners from actively participating in the data economy due to low transparency and trust.
By developing a decentralized consent management system, DOOF aims to put control back into the hands of the individuals. This approach aligns with the principles of GDPR and the Data Act, ensuring that data sharing is both transparent and informed. Through DOOF, companies can now manage consent in a way that is scalable and compliant with current regulations.
For end users, this means they can have confidence that their data is being handled responsibly and that they remain in control at all times. By fostering trust and transparency, we hope to encourage more active participation in the data market, ultimately leading to a more open and dynamic European data ecosystem that benefits everyone.
How is TrustChain supporting your growth and what role does it play for the next steps in your development?
TrustChain has been important in aligning our project, DOOF, with the broader European vision when it comes to establishing a flourishing, all-inclusive and ethical European data economy based on EU Data Strategy. Being part of the TrustChain has allowed us to connect with like-minded innovators who share our commitment to ethical data governance and aims to establish tangible tools for its establishment and envision how our technology could integrate with these emerging technologies as well as existing EU initiatives such as European Data Spaces. Working alongside experts who understand the complexities of both the legislative and technological landscapes when it comes to data ownership and sharing has enriched our perspective and helped us ensure that DOOF is not only compliant but also at the forefront of innovation in this space.
As we look to the future, TrustChain will continue to play an important role in our development by providing a platform that amplifies our reach and credibility. The association with TrustChain enhances our ability to engage with a wider audience, attract new collaborations, and contribute meaningfully to the growing discourse around decentralized data governance. We’re excited to build on this foundation and continue our journey towards a more secure, transparent, and user-centric digital future.
Why did you apply to the TrustChain call and has your vision changed since then?
We applied to the TrustChain call because we saw a strong alignment between the core values of TrustChain and our own commitment to ethical data governance and user empowerment. TrustChain’s mission to enhance user control over data and promote transparent, decentralized data management resonated deeply with our vision for DOOF. We recognized this as an opportunity to join a broader community of companies that are not only working towards similar goals but are also at the forefront of innovation in Europe.
Through TrustChain, we aimed to connect with and learn from other leaders in the field, thereby enriching our own approach and contributing to the collective advancement of decentralized data governance. Our vision remains steadfast, but our involvement in the TrustChain ecosystem has reinforced our belief in the importance of collaboration and community-driven innovation. It has inspired us to push further in our efforts to create a digital future that prioritizes user-centric governance.
What is the most valuable takeout from the TrustChain project and why was the topic of the Open Call important to you/your team?
The most valuable takeaway from the TrustChain project has been the deepened understanding of how crucial user-centric design is in bridging the gap between forward-thinking legislation and practical, accessible technology. While Europe leads in creating robust data protection regulations, the challenge lies in translating these into technologies that are not only compliant but also appealing and understandable to users.
The Open Call was important to us because it provided the opportunity to explore and refine strategies for creating technology that truly puts the user at the center. Through this project, we’ve learned how essential it is to obscure the complexities of data management and consent without sacrificing the granular control that data owners should have over their information. Our focus has been on developing a framework that not only simplifies these processes but also educates users about the value of their data and its potential uses, empowering them to make informed decisions.
By prioritizing a user-centric approach, we aim to foster greater trust and participation in the European data market. Our goal is to ensure that even those who may not be digitally savvy can easily navigate and control their data, contributing to a more inclusive and transparent digital economy. This alignment between user needs, technological capability, and legislative intent is where we believe real progress will be made.
Did you establish collaboration with any of the TrustChain teams or plan for any kind of synergies? If yes, what is the biggest potential in such collaborations?
Given the time constraints involved in both putting together and developing a project of this size, it was challenging to establish deep collaborations with other TrustChain teams during the course of the project. However, we believe that the potential for meaningful synergies remains strong and can be fully realized in the post-project phase. Once everyone’s initial ideas have matured, it will be easier to identify and leverage points of integration from a technological perspective.
These synergies hold significant potential in several areas. Firstly, by collaborating, we can help validate each other’s technologies, ensuring that our solutions are robust and well-aligned with the broader goals of the European digital landscape. Interoperability is another critical area where collaboration can play a pivotal role. By working together, we can ensure that our frameworks and tools are compatible, promoting a more cohesive and interconnected digital ecosystem.
Additionally, these collaborations can greatly enhance our visibility. By tapping into each other’s client networks and sharing our successes, we can increase the reach and impact of our solutions. This kind of cross-promotion not only benefits our individual projects but also strengthens the overall TrustChain ecosystem, fostering a more dynamic and innovative environment.
Finally, there’s also the potential for shared learning and innovation. By maintaining an open dialogue with other teams, we can continuously exchange insights, challenges, and best practices. This ongoing collaboration could lead to the development of new, joint initiatives that push the boundaries of what’s possible in data governance and user-centric technology.
What are your expectations regarding the TrustChain software ecosystem and its contribution to the NGI priority areas?
As a team, we see the TrustChain software ecosystem as having significant potential to advance the NGI priority areas, particularly in decentralization, trust, and inclusion. The projects within TrustChain are all about building an internet that’s more secure, accessible, and fair for everyone. This aligns closely with our own values and goals.
Looking ahead, our expectation is that these projects will successfully transition from the development phase into broader real-world applications, demonstrating their usability and adaptability. We recognize that this transition presents challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring these technologies can thrive outside of a controlled research environment and supportive environment of the TrustChain ecosystem. When research and development projects are brought to market, they often face hurdles such as differing levels of technological and regulatory understanding or unwillingness to adopt technologies that come with the paradigm shift in the very approach towards data and consent management.
The true impact of the TrustChain ecosystem will be measured by how effectively these technologies can adapt to and meet the needs of real-world users, all while maintaining their commitment to decentralization, security, and inclusivity. We’re optimistic that, with the right approach, these projects will not only meet but exceed these expectations, helping to create a more decentralized, user-focused internet on a larger scale.
What are the next steps for your team?
After successfully testing and validating our technology with a select group of users, we will move into the product industrialization phase. Software industrialization is an ongoing process that involves refining the software to ensure it can be maintained, updated, and scaled efficiently, all while meeting stringent market demands and quality standards.
Simultaneously, we’ll finalize our market entry strategy and begin planning the product launch, targeted for Q1 2025, along with market penetration activities. Our go-to-market strategy will encompass a coordinated digital marketing campaign, participation in key industry events, and the establishment of strategic partnerships.
To support these efforts, we plan to expand our team, with new hires starting in Q4 2024. In September 2024, we’ll bring on board two software developers to strengthen our technical capabilities. In the next 5 years we plan to have a dedicated team of 15 technical and sales resources. As we scale, we will begin with initial projects in Italy and then strategically expand into other European markets, starting with Spain, Germany, and France.
Each of these steps requires meticulous planning and execution to ensure that our technology is not only effectively industrialized but also resonates with market needs and achieves commercial success.
What is the message you would give to new and potential applicants to TrustChain Open Calls?
Our key advice to new and potential applicants is to focus on creating software that balances advanced functionality with user accessibility. The technologies and concepts involved can be complex, especially when dealing with the nuances of data governance and the latest legislative frameworks. It’s essential to design solutions that empower users by giving them meaningful control over their data while keeping the user experience intuitive and straightforward. Strive to simplify the complexities without losing the depth of control and flexibility that users need to navigate the digital landscape effectively. This balance is critical to creating impactful, user-centric solutions.
