A Guide to Open Source for Startups

Open Source
Open Source Licenses

Considering open source for your next project, or weighing the benefits of open-source software against proprietary for your company? This list of in-depth guides and interviews will help you better understand how to launch an open-source project, scope and run a commercial open-source company, and manage licensing and IP.

Decades of Open-Source Experience in One Place

Article

Open-Source Advantages

This in-depth article covers how choosing open source can benefit your project's launch speed, initial and ongoing costs, security, legal considerations via licensing, and go-to-market motion.

Advantages of Open Source Software for Devs and Companies

Understand the benefits of open source software, how to decide between OSS and paid solutions, and potential challenges in deploying OSS.

Article

OSS vs. Proprietary

This comprehensive article covers the differences between founding open-source startups vs. proprietary projects, including licensing, business models, and additional considerations like managing multiple codebases, pricing and packaging, and cultivating a community.

Open Source vs. Proprietary: Development, Licensing, Business Models, and More

Here’s everything founders and tech leads should know about the differences between open-source and proprietary software.

Going to Market as Commercial Software

JUN 26, 2023

Video

Article

Building and Scaling a Successful OSS Startup

This in-depth interview with developer relations expert Adam FitzGerald covers the potentially life-changing choices of licensing, how to think about infrastructure, building communities, and scaling to the enterprise.

What Success Looks Like for Modern Open-Source Software Startups

What does it take to run a successful open-source software startup in today’s market? Adam FitzGerald explains.

Article

What Investors Look for in Open Source

This tell-all interview with veteran investor Cack Wilhelm covers VC diligence for open-source startups, including specific criteria, risks, and the telltale signs that an OSS startup is positioned for success.

How to Successfully Invest in Open-Source Startups

What are investors looking for when they consider funding open-source startups? Learn from this interview with active OSS investor Cack Wilhelm of IVP.

A Closer Look at Open Source Today

OCT 1, 2019

Podcast

Article

Considering Legal Issues in Open Source

This comprehensive interview explores legal and copyright issues like how to protect your IP, managing your SBOM and trademarks, and how to scale your OSS while navigating potential legal landmines.

Understanding Legal Issues for Open Source Software Start-ups

What do open source software startup founders need to know about legal issues such as licensing, IP, community and how they can impact revenue and scaling? Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, explains.

Security and Liability in Open Source

JUN 29, 2023

Video

May 4, 2023

DevGuild: Open Source

Red Hat, Elastic, HashiCorp - we know the names of the most successful open source companies. But how are they both wildly famous and wildly profitable? Scroll down for full session videos on demand.

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