Ask HN: Why Open-Source for Products/Startups?

2 pointsdv35z1mo ago3 comments

I work with investors and entrepreneurs - and I often suggest starting with an "open-source by default" mindset, including building a community around an open product.

Some people don't know about open-source, and mention "what if someone copies my idea" and "how can I generate income if its free". I'd love to be able to send them (1) a good high level overview of the What / Why of open-source, and (2) Point to successful examples of open-source commercially successful products & services.

Some ones that come to mind are: RedHat / RHEL, Supabase

Thanks!

3 comments

OsrsNeedsf2P1mo ago

Redis is open source too.

As a business, I hedge my bets by only using open source software where possible. I'm 1/not risking a rug pull on the enterprise terms, and 2/ not waiting for an official "patch" to fix my bugs

gus_massa1mo ago

What if Amazon host my idea and pay me as much as the licence ask?

mldev_exe1mo ago

PostHog, I think, is also open-source and incredibly successful

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