The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source The business model of open source (Interview)
Sep 17, 2021
Adam Jacob, CEO of System Initiative and co-founder of Chef, shares his journey through the world of open source business models. He discusses the delicate balance between community engagement and commercial viability, reflecting on Chef's $220 million acquisition. Adam emphasizes the importance of consistent effort and positive mindset for long-term success while offering insights into the future of collaborative software. He also hints at exciting developments at System Initiative, advocating for the goodness of community-driven change in open source.
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Open Source as a Business Strategy
- Adam Jacob dislikes the term "commercial open source" and views open source as a business strategy.
- Chef's business model evolved from SaaS to open core, and finally to a Red Hat-like model.
HJK: The Precursor to Chef
- Before Chef, Adam Jacob ran HJK, a consulting company specializing in automated infrastructure for startups.
- HJK's partners included Nathan Haney-Smith, Soxiri Criticara, and Barry Steinglass.
Slackware Linux: A Catalyst for Opportunity
- Adam Jacob's open source journey began with Slackware Linux, which opened up a world of opportunities.
- This led to his career and ultimately to the creation of Chef.