Hyungjin Lukas Kim, Kyung-Wook Park, Jinyoung Han
We examine how startups leverage open government data (OGD) to overcome resource constraints and enhance R&D. Using a case study of a South Korean startup, we investigate the development of BIC PM (Big Data Insight Customization Product Manager) – a data-driven platform integrating OGD with AI. This system enables the firm to streamline R&D, improve product validation, and accelerate market readiness despite its limited resources. We apply the Balanced Scorecard framework to assess the system’s multidimensional impact on R&D efficiency. Our findings show that BIC PM facilitates innovation, reduces development time and costs, and supports the launch of competitive products in South Korea. We demonstrate how startups can utilise OGD to build data-driven capabilities that enhance compliance, quality, and competitiveness. This study contributes to the literature by illustrating how public data infrastructure supports startup innovation, offering insights for policymakers to strengthen digital entrepreneurial ecosystems.