Changing the World through Open Source with Frank Karlitschek

The Business of Open Source

Frank Karlitschek has worked in the open source software space since the late 90s when he contributed to KDE. Since then, he’s managed multiple teams and start ups and used his influence to make the internet a better, more secure place.

In this episode, Frank joins me at The State of Open Con to share his passion for open source and improving the internet. We discuss his early involvement in open source and how he started his own company. He also shares advice for new founders and encouragement for anyone hoping to make a positive impact on the world.

Highlights:

• Frank introduces himself and Nextcloud and shares his initial excitement around open source (0:50)
• Frank shares some details about his open source business model and how the company came together (2:51)
• Frank recalls mistakes he made early on in his career and what he's learned (6:43)
• Current projects/ processes in the “trial and error” phase of development (8:10)
• The value of being open source (10:41)
• Frank shares the advice he’d give his younger self and someone starting an open source company now (13:03)

Links:

Frank

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankkarlitschek/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/fkarlitschek
• Mastadon: https://mastodon.social/@Karlitschek
• Website: karlitschek.de
• Company: https://nextcloud.com/