Collibra, founded in 2008, has established itself as a specialist in data governance and data intelligence. The company’s mission is to revolutionize how organizations leverage data, aiming to provide trusted data for various uses and users across multiple sources. A privately owned entity, Collibra has a global presence with 12 offices across the United States, APAC and Europe and over 1,000 employees, with around 40 percent dedicated to research and development. The company has over 700 customers, achieved through a direct sales model and a sophisticated marketing strategy supported by thought leadership. This global brand recognition is further amplified by its ecosystem of over 200 technology and service partners, emphasizing partnerships through co-development, product alignment and go-to-market strategies.
The Collibra Data Intelligence Platform, a unified system for engaging with data, focuses on the collection, linking and analysis of metadata. The platform is tailored to various user personas and is bolstered by customer enablement initiatives such as coaching, education, a marketplace for template exchange, and specialized service offerings called accelerators.
The product’s evolution is noteworthy, starting as a business glossary and growing into a comprehensive data intelligence solution. Collibra’s toolkit has expanded to include cataloging, data protection, technical lineage, privacy and data quality, thanks to acquisitions such as SQLdep, OwlDQ and Husprey. These have allowed the platform to delve deeper into analyzing technical, governance and operational metadata. Additionally, advanced data quality and data observability capabilities can be integrated into the platform, highlighting its adaptability and expansion into broader data management domains.
Notably, the platform has evolved from focusing on business metadata in its glossary and data catalog origins to providing deeper operational and technical insights. Its capabilities are not confined to governance; they also encompass search and discovery use cases and modern data approaches, such as data product thinking. The platform’s strength in data governance is evident in its comprehensive workflow and user management, granular policy management and data quality features. While its complexity has been a point of user feedback, this has been addressed through the Data Marketplace approach, providing a streamlined interface for accessing curated data assets.
AI integration is a significant highlight, automating catalog tasks, supporting metadata curation and enabling content generation, including asset descriptions and SQL code. AI also aids in data classification and offers user-centric content recommendations. Furthermore, the platform’s features to drive user adoption and monitor data value stand out. Users can define and measure data impact and value, facilitating engagement through “@” mentions, assigning users to workflows and highlighting subject matter experts.
Looking ahead, Collibra’s roadmap includes some significant improvements, including:
- Architecture for enterprise-wide scale and adoption (e.g., by leveraging AI for automated curation);
- Collaboration and consumption (e.g., by guided experiences around data products and an enhanced search experience); and
- Supporting new demand for AI (e.g., by integration with more service providers).
