Open Source Management

What Open Source Management does

Open Source Management SRL (OSM) is an Italian business consulting and training company founded in 1998 and headquartered in Bologna, specializing in tangible growth outcomes for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The company operates as a 'human-centered business partner' delivering 360-degree advisory across marketing, sales, recruiting, HR management, financial/fiscal planning, and generational transition, supported by a network of over 150 affiliated franchise partners (OSM Partner) covering all Italian provinces and a broader network of 200+ consultants.

The core technology stack is anchored by the proprietary I-Profile attitudinal assessment questionnaire (a registered brand and subsidiary, I-Profile SRL) and the Guru.Jobs recruitment software platform (Guru Jobs SRL), which together provide aptitude-based candidate screening and HR advisory. The product portfolio is organized as an ecosystem of branded sub-businesses: MBS (Mind Business School) for management education, Engage Editore for entrepreneurial publishing, Partner d'Impresa for multidisciplinary professional services, OSM International for global expansion (US, Europe, Latin America, Asia), and a suite of sector-specific vertical brands (OSM EDU, OSM Medical, OSM Restaurant, OSM Edilizia, OSM Real Estate, OSM Beauty, OSM Ottici, OSM Bakery, OSM Spiritual Economics). The company is founder-led (CEO Paolo A. Ruggeri), has 51-100 direct employees, and operates as a Società Benefit since 2024.

Revenue is generated through a mix of professional services (consulting engagements, training courses), franchise and licensing fees (OSM Partner, vertical sub-brands), recurring software subscriptions (Guru.Jobs annual platform), and one-time publishing fees (Engage Editore). Go-to-market is primarily sales-led via the franchise network, augmented by an event-driven model (paid national summits such as Food Strategy, Medical Strategy, Human Capital Summit, and Edilmasterclass, plus free local lead-generation events) and a product-led motion for Guru.Jobs. The company does not publicly disclose revenue or external funding and remains privately held under founder and management control.

Name

Open Source Management

Legal name

OPEN SOURCE MANAGEMENT SRL

Website

https://opensourcemanagement.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Open Source Management (OSM) is an Italian SME business consulting and training firm founded in 1998, delivering marketing, sales, HR, and leadership advisory through a 150+ partner franchise network and proprietary I-Profile assessment technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Consulting Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611), Human Resources Consulting Services (541612), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Executive Search Services (561312), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Product Lifecycle, NPI & Industrialization (Design-to-Operate) (BPAHAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

National Generalist Staffing Firms (BPACACAI)

Keywords

• Business consulting services
• SME management training
• Leadership and sales courses
• Talent assessment solutions
• Recruitment software platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Consulting Services: OSM provides 360-degree business consulting to SMEs covering marketing, sales, recruiting, HR management, administration, and taxation. Revenue is generated through direct client engagements delivered by the central company and franchise partners.
2. Training and Courses: OSM offers paid training programs including Leadership courses, Sales courses, Public Speaking, Marketing, Financial Management, HR training, and Generational Transition courses. Also includes MBS Mind Business School as a premium management school for entrepreneurs and managers.
3. Guru Jobs Recruitment Services and Software: Guru Jobs provides recruitment software subscriptions (Guru.Jobs annual platform), I-Profile system access, Guru Ads service, HR Strategy consulting, and free HR training programs. Revenue from software licenses and consulting engagements.
4. OSM Partner Franchise Fees: OSM generates revenue through its franchise model, where over 150 affiliated partners across Italy pay for the right to use the OSM brand, methodology, tools, and ongoing support in exchange for delivering consulting and training services locally.
5. Engage Editore Publishing: Engage Editore publishes books written by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, offering editing, ghostwriting, distribution, and promotion services. Revenue from book sales and publishing fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

OSM provides 360-degree business consulting, professional training courses, and recruitment services to small and medium enterprises across Italy, with extension into Europe, the US, Latin America, and Asia. Offerings span marketing, sales, leadership, public speaking, HR management, financial management, generational transition planning, and personnel selection via the proprietary I-Profile assessment. Services are delivered directly from Bologna HQ and through a franchise network of 150+ OSM Partner affiliates, supplemented by sub-brands for management education (MBS), recruitment technology (Guru Jobs), publishing (Engage Editore), and sector-specific verticals (medical, restaurant, real estate, construction, beauty, optics, bakery, education).

Product overview

OSM – Open Source Management is a business consulting firm offering a portfolio of services organized as a platform of branded sub-brands and programs. The core consulting offering includes company analysis, recruitment (I-Profile), leadership and sales training, HR management, and business coaching. These are delivered both directly and through OSM Partner, a franchise network of over 150 affiliates across Italy. Key sub-brands include MBS (Mind Business School) for management education, Guru Jobs for recruitment technology, Engage Editore for publishing, Partner d'Impresa for multidisciplinary professional networks, and OSM International for global expansion. The portfolio extends into sector-specific verticals: OSM EDU (education), OSM Medical (healthcare), OSM Edilizia (construction), OSM Real Estate, OSM Restaurant, OSM Beauty, OSM Ottici, OSM Bakery, and OSM Spiritual Economics. Training courses (Grandi Corsi) cover public speaking, leadership, sales, marketing, financial management, HR, and generational transition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OSM Partner: First business consulting franchise for entrepreneurs in Italy, with over 150 affiliates nationwide.
• MBS - Mind Business School
• Engage Editore
• Guru Jobs
• Partner d'Impresa
• OSM International
• OSM EDU
• OSM Edilizia
• OSM Real Estate
• OSM Beauty
• OSM Restaurant
• OSM Medical
• OSM Ottici
• OSM Bakery

Products and services

• OSM Partner Franchise Network Franchise program enabling entrepreneurs to operate consulting businesses under the OSM brand, providing methodology, training, I-Profile tools, and ongoing support. Over 150 partners operate across all Italian provinces.
• MBS Mind Business School Management school offering structured training programs to develop business and leadership skills for entrepreneurs and managers.
• Guru Jobs Recruitment Platform Annual SaaS recruitment platform providing unlimited CV and soft-skills screening based on the I-Profile attitudinal methodology, helping businesses identify candidates whose behavioral profile matches specific roles. Used by HR managers and business owners for personnel selection and talent management.
• I-Profile Attitudinal Assessment Proprietary attitudinal assessment questionnaire used by tens of thousands of companies worldwide to evaluate candidates' natural tendencies, predict job performance fit, and identify training needs. Available as part of Guru Jobs and through standalone HR consulting engagements.
• OSM International Global expansion consulting service helping Italian and international companies enter new markets across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the United States.
• OSM EDU Youth Talent Development Educational programs including the OSM Talent Questionnaire and Talent Academy that help Generation Z youth, parents, and teachers identify natural aptitudes and support talent development.
• Grandi Corsi di OSM Training Programs High-level training courses covering leadership, sales, public speaking, marketing, financial management, HR training, generational transition, and personnel search and selection for entrepreneurs and managers.
• OSM Medical Consulting Management training and consulting for medical practices, clinics, and healthcare professionals to improve business performance, leadership, and revenue growth. Includes the Medical Strategy event.
• OSM Restaurant Consulting Training and consulting program for restaurant and food service entrepreneurs covering management skills, marketing, cost reduction, revenue growth, and team building. Includes the Food Strategy event.
• OSM Real Estate Consulting Consulting services for real estate agency growth, including revenue increase, client retention strategies, new branch openings, and team development.
• OSM Edilizia Construction Consulting Consulting and training services tailored for construction sector entrepreneurs, including the Edilmasterclass program developed with Vanoncini Spa.
• OSM Beauty Consulting Transformation program supporting beauty professionals to become beauty entrepreneurs, focusing on management and growth of beauty businesses.
• OSM Ottici Optical Retailer Consulting Business consulting for optical retailers to grow their eyewear business.
• OSM Bakery Consulting Consulting program for bakery, pastry, and cafe entrepreneurs combining culinary expertise with business management skills.
• Partner d'Impresa Professional Network Italy's largest network of ethical business professionals providing multidisciplinary support including accounting, legal, and HR consulting for SMEs.
• Engage Editore Publishing Publishing house producing books and strategies written by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, offering editing, ghostwriting, distribution, and promotion services.
• OSM Spiritual Economics Program Personal development program for entrepreneurs focused on harmonizing body, mind, and spirit through meditation, visualization, and self-improvement techniques.
• Ricerca e Selezione del Personale Personnel search and selection service using the I-Profile attitudinal methodology to identify candidates matching both technical skills and behavioral profile.
• Passaggio Generazionale in Azienda Advisory service guiding business owners through generational transitions and succession planning.

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 80% of OSM's client companies see an increase in turnover within a few months of engaging with OSM services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Partner d'Impresa NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partner d'Impresa is the largest network of business professionals in Italy, founded in 2019, providing multidisciplinary support including accounting, legal, and HR services. It operates in co-branding with OSM and has multiple regional offices across Italy.
• Guru Jobs SRLcoreOthersGuru Jobs SRL is a subsidiary company specializing in recruitment and talent management software and services, operating as a co-controller of personal data with OSM.
• O.S.M.D. SRLminorOthersO.S.M.D. SRL is a subsidiary/contitolar entity within the OSM ecosystem, with its role and activities not fully detailed on the main website.
• OSM Real Estate SRLcoreOthersOSM Real Estate SRL is a subsidiary focused on real estate business consulting, helping real estate agencies grow and expand. It operates as a co-controller of personal data with OSM.
• I-Profile SRLcoreOthersI-Profile SRL is the subsidiary entity that owns and manages the I-Profile attitudinal assessment platform and brand. It operates as a co-controller of personal data with OSM.
• OSM Partner Lombardia SRLcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOSM Partner Lombardia SRL is a regional franchise partner managing OSM consulting and training services across the Lombardy region of Italy.
• OSM Restaurant SRLcoreOthersOSM Restaurant SRL is a subsidiary focused on the restaurant and food & beverage sector, providing specialized management training and consulting for restaurant owners. Operates as a co-controller of personal data with OSM.
• Engage Editore SRLminorOthersEngage Editore SRL is a publishing subsidiary that publishes books written by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, offering editing, ghostwriting, distribution, and promotion services. Operates as a co-controller of personal data with OSM.
• OBC SRLminorOthersOBC SRL is a subsidiary/contitolar entity within the OSM ecosystem. Its specific role and activities are not detailed on the main website.
• OSM Education SRL Società BenefitcoreOthersOSM Education SRL Società Benefit is a subsidiary focused on youth education and talent development (OSM EDU brand), operating as a benefit corporation. It operates as a co-controller of personal data with OSM.
• Vanoncini Spa (for OSM Edilizia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVanoncini Spa is a construction company whose 30+ years of industry know-how has been combined with OSM's consulting technology to create the Edilmasterclass and OSM Edilizia program for construction entrepreneurs.
• Luca Mazzucchelli (Scientific Committee Director)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuca Mazzucchelli, Director of Italy's most prestigious Psychology scientific journal, leads the OSM Human Resource Scientific Committee, ensuring ethical and scientific standards in HR practices.
• OSM Partner Franchisees (150+ across Italy)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 150 independent franchise partners operate under the OSM brand across all Italian provinces, delivering consulting and training services using OSM's methodology, tools, and brand. Partners include regional specialists for various verticals and geographic areas.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ManpowerGroup Italy: Major global staffing and workforce solutions provider with strong Italian operations. Comparable to OSM Guru Jobs in recruitment and talent solutions, and to broader workforce-related consulting services.
• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Comparable to OSM's I-Profile-based talent assessment and executive/leadership recruitment as part of the broader leadership advisory market.
• Randstad Italy: Global HR services leader with a significant Italian footprint in staffing, recruitment, and HR consulting. Comparable to OSM's recruitment and HR services as a broader incumbent offering overlapping capabilities.

Direct peers

• Dale Carnegie Training: Global training organization with a franchise-like licensee network, offering leadership, sales, public speaking, and communication courses. Highly comparable to OSM's training programs (public speaking, leadership, sales) and global franchise delivery model.
• Sandler Training: Global sales and leadership training franchise with hundreds of affiliates. Closely comparable to OSM in the franchise-driven delivery of sales and management training to SMB and SME clients.
• Gi Group: One of Italy's largest staffing and recruitment companies, offering HR consulting and talent solutions. Comparable to OSM's Guru Jobs and broader HR management, recruiting, and training portfolio serving Italian SMEs.
• Cegos Group: International management training and consulting firm headquartered in France. Closely comparable to OSM as a multinational provider of leadership, sales, and professional development programs delivered through a network of local offices and partners to SME and enterprise clients.
• FranklinCovey: US-listed leadership and execution consulting firm providing training, coaching, and content. Comparable to OSM's leadership, sales, and management training portfolio as well as its mix of training content and consulting services.
• Hays Italy: Global recruitment and workforce solutions firm with a substantial Italian presence. Directly comparable to OSM's Guru Jobs recruitment, selection, and HR consulting services targeting Italian SMEs.

Regional players

• BIP (Business Integration Partners): Large Italian-headquartered management and technology consulting firm. Comparable to OSM as a domestic management consulting peer with strong Italian roots serving enterprises and increasingly SMEs, though with a stronger technology/operations focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@OSMOpenSourceManagement
• Facebookfacebook.com/OsmOpenSourceManagement
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/osm-partner-vda
• Instagraminstagram.com/osmopensourcemanagement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Open Source Management