Open Source Startup Podcast

Vasek Mlejnsky is Co-Founder & CEO of E2B, the open-source runtime for executing AI-generated code in secure cloud sandboxes. Essentially, they give AI agents cloud computers. Their open source repos, particularly e2b which has 9K GitHub stars, have been widely adopted to help securely run AI-generated code. E2B has raised $12M from investors including Decibel and Sunflower. In this episode, we dig into:Why agents need a sandboxBuilding a new category of infra tooling, much like LaunchDarkly Some of their viral content moments - including Greg Brockman sharing their videosFiguring out the right commercial offering Why they don't agree with pricing per token Why moving from Prague to the Bay Area felt essential for them as founders

Roman Gershman is Co-Founder & CTO of Dragonfly, the drop-in Redis replacement for heavy data workloads that has significant performance, cost, and scale benefits. Their open source dragonflydb has 28K stars on GitHub. Dragonfly has raised $21M from investors including Quiet Capital and Redpoint. In this episode, we dig into:The challenges with Redis The users that have really benefitted from Dragonfly (high scale + real-time needs - gaming, B2C) The benefits of being multi-threaded How they got some of their bigger users / customers like Twilio, SoFi, and Spotify

Lukas Schulte, Co-Founder & CEO of SDF Labs, and Anders Swanson, Senior Developer Experience Advocate at dbt Labs, dive into the recent acquisition of SDF by dbt. They explore the intricacies of the M&A process and discuss how the integration will enhance developer experiences through improved SQL tools. The conversation delves into cultural integration challenges within tech teams, the evolving landscape of data tools, and the fascinating interplay between YAML and large language models in simplifying data work and fostering innovation.

Andrew Norris, Co-Founder & CEO of DevCycle, shares insights into his journey from Taplytics to launching a feature flagging platform based on the OpenFeature project. He discusses the fascinating shift from A/B testing to focusing on engineers, highlighting the importance of open standards to prevent vendor lock-in. Norris also delves into DevCycle's growth strategies, combining open-source principles with a sustainable business model, and emphasizes the necessity of feature flags in modern software development.

Aviram Hassan, Co-Founder & CEO of MetalBear, shares insights on transforming cloud development with their tool, mirrord, which allows developers to run local code in remote environments. He discusses the pain points of traditional staging setups and how their innovative approach enhances concurrency. Aviram highlights the significance of open-source in building trust with major enterprise clients and reveals how early monetization aligns with their mission. Tune in for valuable strategies on streamlining developer workflows and navigating the challenges of open-source software.

Manik Surtani, Head of Open Source at Block, and Bradley Axen, Principal Engineer, share their insights on launching successful open source projects. They delve into the formation of Block's Open Source Programs Office, emphasizing community engagement and transparent practices. They discuss the innovative Goose project, which automates coding tasks and evolves through user collaboration. The duo also highlights challenges in integrating open source with AI, showcasing its significance in enhancing productivity and addressing real-world applications.

Nikhil Rao, Co-founder of Reflex, shares insights from the rapidly growing open-source framework that simplifies web app development entirely in Python. He discusses deploying with just Python, the challenges of low-code frameworks, and how Reflex is shaping the future of web development. Rao highlights innovative applications in finance and pharmaceuticals, empowering users without programming skills to build custom apps. He also reflects on the journey of balancing engineering and entrepreneurial skills while fostering a supportive open-source community.

Ben Sigelman, Co-Founder & CEO of Lightstep and a pioneer behind OpenTracing and OpenTelemetry, shares insights on the journey of creating a groundbreaking observability platform. He discusses the strategic pivot that led to Lightstep's success and the benefits of open-sourcing technologies. Ben delves into the merger of OpenTracing and OpenCensus into OpenTelemetry, exploring its widespread adoption among tech companies. Additionally, he reflects on team dynamics during the ServiceNow acquisition and the importance of cultural alignment in startups.

Tobie Morgan Hitchcock, Co-founder and CEO of SurrealDB, discusses his innovative serverless cloud database that has gained 30K stars on GitHub. He highlights how his non-traditional background helped him redefine database creation from first principles. Tobie delves into the significance of open-source for building trust, the necessity of design in infrastructure products, and how integrating diverse database types can enhance user experience. He also balances customer feedback with strategic vision while navigating the challenges of startup marketing.

Misha Bragin, Founder & CEO of NetBird, shares his journey in creating a zero trust networking platform that simplifies secure access for remote users. He discusses the shift from hardware to software, driven by the surge in remote work. Misha explains why traditional VPNs are outdated and highlights the advantages of the WireGuard protocol. He also delves into the unique features of NetBird compared to Tailscale, and the importance of hiring a technical marketer early for technical founders. Insightful and engaging!