Unlock alpha faster with a well-run data program – New white paper from Neudata

Neudata has published a new white paper, “How to build a data program”, as investment firms feel growing pressure to generate new insights from data while facing scrutiny over data costs.

The report lands at a time when hedge funds and asset managers are spending millions each year on alternative and market data, yet many still rely on ad hoc processes to manage procurement, onboarding and renewals. Neudata’s paper sets out a framework for building a dedicated data program to bring order to this complexity.

The guide outlines how firms can streamline the full data lifecycle – from discovery and trials to contract negotiation and governance – and warns that poorly managed programs lead directly to missed alpha opportunities, duplication and inflated budgets. It also flags the financial risk of key-person dependency, a problem affecting firms with decentralised or undocumented workflows.

One area drawing attention is the growing role of AI in data operations. Neudata highlights how AI-enabled tools can centralise vendor knowledge, summarise feedback from trials and trigger proactive alerts ahead of renewals. With data teams increasingly stretched, firms are looking for ways to speed up decision-making and reduce admin-heavy work.

The white paper also weighs in on the build-versus-buy debate. While some large hedge funds have traditionally developed solutions in-house, Neudata notes a shift towards SaaS platforms that offer consistency across teams and regions. Its own Navigator product is cited as an example of how firms can catalogue datasets, manage contracts, monitor spend and embed governance in one system.

The report stresses that a modern data program is no longer optional. With budgets under pressure and regulators tightening expectations, firms need visibility across contracts, usage and vendor performance. The paper sets out how a structured approach can deliver faster access to alpha-generating datasets, cost savings and reduced operational risk.

Neudata’s findings are likely to resonate with COOs, heads of data and investment leaders who are reassessing their infrastructure ahead of 2026 budget cycles. Organisations that act now can gain an edge by retiring redundant datasets, improving negotiations and reducing bottlenecks across geographies.

“How to build a data program” is now available to download from Neudata.

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