Note from the Team
We’ve seen firsthand the power of open innovation to inspire new ideas, unexpected partnerships, and meaningful solutions. The secret behind The Opportunity Project’s longevity and success isn’t just the process, it’s the people. Time and again, Americans have shown up with creativity, urgency, and purpose to help solve big problems.
This work has lasted because we’ve stayed true to our guiding principles: being radically responsive, efficient, and helpful. We’ve never lost sight of our responsibility to make the best use of every taxpayer dollar. That mindset has allowed us to move fast, work smarter, and deliver value that’s both immediate and long-lasting.
Through the Years
2009
Data.gov Launches
[Data.gov](http://Data.gov), the U.S. Government’s open data website, launches in May with an initial 47 data sets — setting the stage for a modern era of digital open data.
2015
College Scorecard Paves the Path to the TOP Model
The U.S. Department of Education’s [College Scorecard](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/) launches, paving the path to the TOP model by inviting industry collaborators to create their own tools with new open data.
2016
The Opportunity Project Officially Launches at the White House
In March, The Opportunity Project (TOP) [officially launches](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/07/fact-sheet-white-house-launches-opportunity-project-utilizing-open-data) at the White House with the first TOP Demo Day, introducing the first 12 sprint products.
2017
DOC Takes Over TOP
The U.S. Department of Commerce officially takes over TOP, initially operating out of the Commerce Data Service and later the Census Bureau.
2018
TOP Joins the Census Open Innovation Labs
Now led out of [Census Open Innovation Labs](https://coil.census.gov/) at the Census Bureau, TOP launches the first sprints with themes, starting with the “geo-cohort”, focused on leveraging geospatial technology to solve a diverse set of problems.
2019
The Evidence Act Enhances Access to Open Data
The [Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4174/text) (The Evidence Act) is signed into law, creating an expanded mandate for agencies to enhance access to and use of open data.
2020
Showcase Event Expands into Multi-Day Virtual Conference
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, TOP expands its annual Demo Day into a [multi-day virtual conference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c-DaW3ZHko&t=4s), bringing open data and innovation programming to audiences nationwide.
2021
First Sprint to Create New Open Data
TOP launches the TOPx COVID-19 sprint in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — the first sprint in which teams help create new open data, in addition to using existing open data and data standards.
2022
TOP Addresses Puerto Rico-Specific Challenges
TOP launches a new initiative — TOP PR — with sprints dedicated to Puerto Rico-specific challenges. TOP PR includes problem statements co-led by federal and PR government agencies, encouraging sprint participants from Puerto Rico.
2023
TOPx Toolkit Relaunches as Interactive, Self-Service Resource
In a significant move toward open sourcing, the "[TOPx Toolkit for Federal Agencies](https://opportunity.census.gov/topx-toolkit/)" is expanded and redesigned, as a self-service, online resource for any agency to run a sprint on their own timeline. The improved toolkit is "[launched](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onfDMv_pQnk&list=PLewV-zKXDZkghdjPUCmmU02T7xI2dUPme&index=5&t=6987s) at TOP’s annual virtual conference, TOP Summit 2023."
2024
TOP Addresses Population-Specific Issues with Indigenous Communities-Focused Sprints
TOP launches Indigenous Communities-Focused sprints, a new initiative to leverage TOP’s efforts to serve Indigenous communities across the country.
By the Numbers
80
Sprint Topics
including disaster response, rural development, the opioid crisis, and more
283
Digital Products
created since 2016 through TOP’s 12-week technology development sprints
450+
Datasets
leveraged by industry teams and improved through end user feedback
XXX
Users
of federal data through TOP products
Product Innovation in Action
TOP has been instrumental in the development of many new tools that serve the public. Here are just a few notable outcomes:
Impact Report: 10 Years of The Opportunity Project
To measure TOP’s impact on industry, government, and communities nationwide, our team gathered testimonials and impact data from past TOP participants. Look back on a decade of impact in our report ‘10 Years of The Opportunity Project’.
