AI Synthesis from Zoom call:

Dynamic, Interoperable Ecosystem Map Reveal - Transcript + Video

Relevant Links from Video:

Collaborative Tech Alliance Ecosystem Map Space on Catalist

CTA Ecosystem Map

Big Picture

The Collaborative Technology Alliance (CTA) launched a mapping initiative to solve a persistent problem: most ecosystem maps are static, siloed, and quickly outdated. This project—funded through a CTA “collab-a-thon”—demonstrates a world-first prototype: a live, dynamic, interoperable ecosystem map where organizations control their own profiles across multiple platforms, validated by two-way relationships.

At its heart: Murmurations, an open protocol for interoperable data sharing, which allows profiles and relationships to flow across platforms in real-time, without central gatekeepers.

Core Innovations

1. Interoperability Layer
   • Profiles can be hosted and published from multiple sources:
     • Hilo (social collaboration platform)
     • Catalyst (mapping platform)
     • WordPress plugin for Murmurations
     • Self-hosted JSON files
   • All flow into the Murmurations Index, a minimal registry pointing to where data lives.
2. Self-Sovereignty & Validation
   • Members control their profiles—update once, it syncs everywhere.
   • Two-way validation: both the CTA and the organization must confirm their membership relationship.
   • This prevents spam and fake entries, while preserving decentralized control.
3. Dynamic Updating
   • Changes (e.g., description, image, offers) update instantly across the ecosystem map.
   • Removes reliance on admins maintaining Airtables or databases.
4. Composable Schemas
   • Base schema: organization profile.
   • Add-on schemas: offers, needs, initiatives, individuals, etc.
   • Enables future richness: e.g., publishing “opportunities” or “tech stack dependencies” in a standardized, interoperable way.

Demonstrated Workflow

• An org signs the CTA pledge → creates a profile (on Hilo, Catalyst, WP, or JSON) → adds “member of CTA” relationship → CTA reciprocates.
• The script crawls the Murmurations Index → validates two-way links → renders live in Kumu (network mapping tool).
• Updates (like editing a description in Hilo) propagate instantly into the map.