Ask HN: Should a startup own its data or be a layer on top of third-party data

Data is worth money. Anyone can build features using data. Data is worth money.

Data is worth money.

We are in the age of information, not the age of pretty UIs.

Pretty UIs can be copied... big user base and data can't!

Keep in mind there can be a middle way. You can build on top of other people's data using your propietary algorithms, to generate even more valuable data. Example: SEMRush - they scape keyword data to build a data on keywords your competitor is ranking for.

Your value is in the verbs (designs, code, insights, user relationships, partner relationships). Nouns (data) are interchangeable, flowing, always changing. Invest in the verbs.