Open Source Founders Summit (#05F525), held May 19–20 in Paris, brought together a vibrant community of Open Source entrepreneurs, builders, and advocates for two days of deep, engaging conversations about what it takes to create sustainable, successful Open Source companies.
As part of the action, the Open Source Initiative (OSI) was proud to sponsor the event and be represented by Stefano Maffulli, OSI’s Executive Director, and Jordan Maris, OSI’s EU Policy Analyst. Jordan joined a standout lineup of speakers and facilitators — from Frank Karlitschek of Nextcloud to Amandine Le Pape of Element — all focused on helping Open Source founders overcome the unique challenges of building in the open.
Unpacking the CRA: What Open Source founders need to know
Jordan led a workshop titled “The Ramifications of the Cyber Resilience Act,” offering founders a practical lens into navigating one of the most pressing laws affecting Open Source in Europe today.
The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) introduces new legal obligations for software producers operating in Europe, including Open Source projects and companies. During the session, Jordan helped attendees:
Explore how the regulation defines “commercial activity” and what constitutes a “product with digital elements”
Explore how different Open Source business models may or may not fall under the CRA’s scope
Work through real-world scenarios, discuss strategies to adapt development and compliance practices, and better understand the legal and operational risks involved
Learn how the Open Source community is responding to the CRA and what collective actions are emerging to influence its implementation
Strengthening the Open Source ecosystem
This summit was more than just talks and workshops — it was a space for Open Source founders to connect over shared experiences, swap lessons learned, and co-create solutions to the ecosystem’s toughest challenges. Whether it was grappling with go-to-market strategies, managing dual audiences of users and customers, or understanding the regulatory landscape, the event delivered real value.
The OSI’s presence at the event underscores our commitment to supporting Open Source not only through definitions and licensing, but by helping communities navigate the increasingly complex legal and business terrain.
From choosing the right license to structuring project governance, understanding compliance, and identifying paths to financial sustainability, OSI is a partner to Open Source founders at every step. We provide resources, host conversations, and advocate for policies that protect and empower open innovation.
Looking ahead
OSI will remain on the frontlines — informing, convening, and advocating for business best practices and policies that support the long-term health of Open Source.
We’re grateful to the Open Source Founders Summit team for creating such an energizing and focused event, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations in the months to come.
Stay tuned for more updates from OSI’s team by subscribing to our blog — and if you’re an Open Source founder, we’d love to hear from you.
Resources
Slides from Jordan’s workshop “The Ramifications of the Cyber Resilience Act” are available below:
The Ramifications of the CRADownload
Source: opensource.org