Open Source Initiative
The Open Source Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 that stewards the Open Source Definition and approves 100+ open source licenses. Its 2024 Open Source AI Definition extends its standards authority to AI, serving developers, corporations, governments, and AI practitioners globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersPalo Alto, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Open Source Initiative does
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a California-registered 501(c)(3) public benefit nonprofit founded in 1998 that serves as the global steward of the Open Source Definition (OSD) and the community-recognized body for reviewing and approving licenses as OSD-conformant. The organization maintains a list of 100+ OSI Approved Licenses (spanning Apache-2.0, MIT, GPL-3.0, BSD-3-Clause, and others), operates a public consensus-based License Review Process (typically resolving within 60 days), and runs the crowdsourced license metadata database ClearlyDefined. In October 2024, OSI released version 1.0 of the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) — the first formal criteria for classifying AI systems as open source, developed through a co-design process involving 50+ contributors and validated against 13 AI systems.
Open Source Initiative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Open Source Initiative
- Legal name
- Open Source Initiative
- Website
- https://opensource.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Open Source Initiative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1998 that stewards the Open Source Definition and approves 100+ open source licenses. Its 2024 Open Source AI Definition extends its standards authority to AI, serving developers, corporations, governments, and AI practitioners globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Open Source Initiative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Source Licensing Standards
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- OER Licensing, Rights & Open Policy Support (Creative Commons) (EDAGAJAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing (MPAJABAG)
Keywords
Where Open Source Initiative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palo Alto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Open Source Initiative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Membership Dues: Paid membership tiers (Supporting at $50/year and Professional at $300/year) that fund OSI programs and staff, providing voting rights and member benefits.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Organizations sponsor OSI at various tiers (Titanium, Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Partner) with recognition benefits including logo placement, newsletter mentions, and event invitations.
- Individual Donations: One-time or recurring donations from individuals supporting OSI's mission. Donations are tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Basic Membership (Free) - Shows support without voting rights |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting Membership ($50/year) - Voting rights and basic member benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Professional Membership ($300/year) - Premium member benefits |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Sponsorship (Various tiers) - Organization commitment to open source |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Open Source Initiative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a nonprofit standards organization that maintains the Open Source Definition (OSD) — the foundational criteria for open source software licensing — and the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) for AI systems. OSI reviews and approves licenses as conformant through a public, consensus-based License Review Process, maintains a curated list of over 100 OSI Approved Licenses, and operates supporting programs including ClearlyDefined (crowdsourced licensing metadata), the Open Policy Alliance (US policy advocacy), and the Open Source AI Fellowship.
Product overview
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit standards organization that serves as the global steward of the Open Source Definition and related frameworks. Rather than offering a commercial software product, OSI provides a suite of standards, definitions, and programs that define and protect the Open Source ecosystem. The core offerings include: the Open Source Definition (the foundational 10-principle standard for open source software licensing), the OSI Approved Licenses list (100+ reviewed and approved licenses), and the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) version 1.0 (the first formal criteria for classifying AI systems as Open Source). Supporting programs include the License Review Process (a consensus-based approval mechanism for new licenses), ClearlyDefined (a crowdsourced licensing metadata database), the Open Policy Alliance (US policy advocacy), and the Open Source AI Fellowship (a two-year academic program in partnership with Duke University). OSI also produces educational content through the Deep Dive series and State of the Source program, while maintaining trademark guidelines for the OSI brand.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Open Source Definition (OSD) The formal definition that establishes the criteria for software to be classified as Open Source, based on 10 principles including free redistribution, source code availability, derived works permission, and technology neutrality. It is the authoritative global standard for open source software.
- OSI Approved Licenses A comprehensive list of licenses that have been reviewed and approved by OSI as conforming to the Open Source Definition. Includes popular licenses such as Apache-2.0, MIT, GPL-3.0, BSD-3-Clause, and over 100 others across categories including International, Non-Reusable, Popular/Strong Community, and Special Purpose.
- Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) v1.0 The first formal definition establishing criteria for AI systems to be classified as Open Source, based on four freedoms: use, study, modify, and share. Encompasses 17 components including training code, training data, model weights, and comprehensive data transparency requirements.
- License Review Process A public, consensus-based process for reviewing and approving licenses as conforming to the Open Source Definition. The process involves submission to a license-review mailing list, community discussion, and Board approval, typically within 60 days. Distinguishes between 'legacy' licenses (in use for 5+ years by 20+ projects) and 'new' licenses.
- ClearlyDefined A crowdsourced database of licensing metadata for every software component in public repositories. A global community contributes, corrects, and curates licensing information for the common good, supporting compliance managers and developers in understanding software component licensing.
- Open Standards Requirement for Software (OSR) A requirement stating that an 'open standard' must not prohibit conforming implementations in open source software. Includes criteria covering no intentional secrets, availability, patents, no agreements required, and no OSR-incompatible dependencies.
- Open Policy Alliance A coalition of organizations working together to educate and inform US public policy decisions affecting the Open Source ecosystem. OSI collaborates with a network of Affiliates to study the impact of upcoming regulations and provide public commentary on legislation.
- Open Source AI Fellowship A two-year fellowship program supporting OSI's work on Open Source AI. The program advances understanding, measures trends, engages in policy, and builds consensus around what it means for an AI system to be labeled 'Open Source.' Grounded in partnership with Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy, with launch sponsorship from Red Hat, AWS, Google, Automattic, and Mozilla.
Quantifiable outcome
- The Open Source ecosystem's demand-side value is approximately $8.8 trillion according to Harvard study (2024)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Open Source Initiative
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Open Source Initiative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Open Source Initiative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Duke University Sanford School of Public PolicycoreAcademic partnership for the Open Source AI Fellowship program. Gabriel Toscano was selected as the Founding Fellow for his academic and professional achievements. The two-year fellowship will forward OSI's goals by creating opportunities for evidence-based, stakeholder-driven engagement on Open Source AI issues.
- Eclipse FoundationcoreEndorser of the Open Source AI Definition. Collaborated on the 2026 State of Open Source Report.
- Perforce SoftwarecoreCollaborated with OSI and Eclipse Foundation on the 2026 State of Open Source Report, highlighting shift toward digital autonomy in the EU.
- Mozilla FoundationcoreKey endorser of OSAID and participant in the co-design process for the Open Source AI Definition.
- EleutherAIcoreAI organization whose Pythia models passed OSAID validation. Key participant in co-design process.
- AI2 (Allen Institute for AI)coreAI research institute whose OLMo models passed OSAID validation.
- LLM360coreAI company whose Amber and CrystalCoder models passed OSAID validation.
- GooglecoreGoogle's T5 model passed OSAID validation. Major Platinum sponsor and co-design participant.
- Linux FoundationcoreCo-design participant in the OSAID process. Partnered on State of Open Source reports.
- OpenInfra FoundationcoreEndorser of OSAID and participant in co-design process.
- SusecoreEndorser of OSAID and supporter of OSI's open source initiatives.
- Wikimedia FoundationcoreCo-design participant in the OSAID process from initial meeting in 2023.
- Creative CommonscoreCo-design participant in the OSAID process from initial meeting in 2023.
- GitHubcoreCo-design participant in OSAID process. Gold sponsor. Collaborated on age attestation policy.
- MicrosoftcoreCo-design participant in OSAID process. Platinum sponsor. Collaborated on Open Source Pledge.
- Meta (Facebook)minorCo-design participant in OSAID process, though Llama2 did not pass OSAID validation.
- Hugging FacecoreCo-design participant in OSAID process.
- United Nations ITUcoreCo-design participant in OSAID process from initial meeting in 2023.
- Digital Public Goods AlliancecoreCo-design participant and partner in global AI policy and governance developments.
- Open Knowledge FoundationcoreCo-design participant and partner in Open Technology Research Network.
- Open Forum EuropecorePartner in building the Open Technology Research Network established November 2025.
- Center for Technology and Society at FGV Direito RiominorPartner in engaging on Brazil's age attestation policy under the ECA Digital framework.
- Open Source CollectivecoreDuane O'Brien serves on the board of Open Source Collective, enabling collaboration on funding models for maintainers.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Open Source Initiative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Apache Software Foundation: The ASF stewards the Apache License (one of OSI's most widely approved licenses) and provides vendor-neutral governance for hundreds of open source projects. It is directly comparable as a nonprofit open source standards and project foundation.
- Eclipse Foundation: The Eclipse Foundation operates a vendor-neutral open source community and is a co-design partner with OSI on the Open Source AI Definition. It is directly comparable as a nonprofit steward of open source tooling and standards, with overlapping sponsorship and policy engagement.
- Mozilla Foundation: The Mozilla Foundation advocates for open web principles, internet health, and trustworthy AI. It is comparable to OSI as a flagship nonprofit open source sponsor and OSAID co-design participant with overlapping AI policy engagement.
- Open Knowledge Foundation: The Open Knowledge Foundation advocates for open data and open knowledge, and is a co-design participant in OSI's Open Source AI Definition. It is directly comparable as a nonprofit open standards and policy advocacy organization with similar global scope.
- Linux Foundation: The Linux Foundation is the largest open source stewardship organization, hosting projects, vendor-neutral events, and training. It is directly comparable to OSI as a nonprofit neutral steward of open source infrastructure, with overlapping participation in OSAID co-design and major tech sponsorship.
- Creative Commons: Creative Commons stewards the CC license suite used widely for open content, data, and educational resources. It is directly comparable to OSI as a sister nonprofit that creates and stewards open licensing standards with similar global policy and educational missions.
- Free Software Foundation: The FSF is the original steward of the GNU General Public License (one of OSI's foundational approved licenses) and champions software freedom. It is directly comparable as a nonprofit open source advocacy and standards organization, with overlapping license stewardship and policy mission.
- Software Freedom Conservancy: Software Freedom Conservancy provides fiscal and legal home for open source projects and advocates for software freedom. It is directly comparable to OSI as a nonprofit steward with overlapping license and policy missions.
- Open Source Collective: Open Source Collective is a 501(c)(6) fiscal sponsor for open source projects, with shared board representation from OSI leadership. It is directly comparable as a sister nonprofit serving the open source community with overlapping donor and project relationships.
Broad incumbents
- CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation): A Linux Foundation sub-foundation stewarding Kubernetes and the cloud native ecosystem. It is comparable as a large open source foundation with overlapping sponsorship base and policy work, but operates in a specific technical vertical (cloud native) rather than cross-cutting open source standards.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Open Source Initiative social profiles
Digital presenceOpen Source Initiative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Open Source Initiative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Open Source Initiative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Open Source Initiative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Open Source Initiative
What does Open Source Initiative do?
The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a nonprofit standards organization that maintains the Open Source Definition (OSD) — the foundational criteria for open source software licensing — and the Open Source AI Definition (OSAID) for AI systems. OSI reviews and approves licenses as conformant through a public, consensus-based License Review Process, maintains a curated list of over 100 OSI Approved Licenses, and operates supporting programs including ClearlyDefined (crowdsourced licensing metadata), the Open Policy Alliance (US policy advocacy), and the Open Source AI Fellowship.
Is Open Source Initiative a public or private company?
Open Source Initiative is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Open Source Initiative founded?
Open Source Initiative was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Open Source Initiative based?
Open Source Initiative is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, in the North America region.
How does Open Source Initiative make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and individual Donations.
Who are Open Source Initiative's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Apache Software Foundation, Eclipse Foundation, Mozilla Foundation, Open Knowledge Foundation, Linux Foundation, Creative Commons, Free Software Foundation, Software Freedom Conservancy and Open Source Collective. CNCF (Cloud Native Computing Foundation) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Open Source Initiative have an API?
No public API is recorded for Open Source Initiative.
What industry is Open Source Initiative in?
Open Source Initiative's product category is Open Source Licensing Standards. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAJAO, OER Licensing, Rights & Open Policy Support (Creative Commons), with a secondary code of MPAJABAG, Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8600.