What Readium Foundation does

Readium Foundation is a Delaware-incorporated non-profit membership organization, established in 2013 with its principal office in Seattle, that develops and maintains open-source technology for EPUB 3 digital reading across mobile, desktop, web and server platforms. Its core product portfolio comprises Readium Mobile (Swift toolkit for iOS/iPadOS/macOS and Kotlin toolkit for Android/Chrome OS), Readium Web (TypeScript client toolkit plus Go server toolkit), and Readium Desktop (Electron/TypeScript for Windows, macOS and Linux). Around these toolkits sits Readium LCP, an interoperable DRM scheme with a Go-based reference server, REST API and multi-platform client libraries (Kotlin, Swift, Node.js, C++), plus the Readium Web Publication Manifest and License Status Document specifications. Reference applications include Thorium Desktop, Thorium Web, Readium CLI and Readium Playground; legacy Readium SDK and Readium JS toolkits remain in maintenance mode.

The foundation serves digital publishers, libraries, accessibility organizations, government bodies and independent reading-app developers. Over 100 production applications are built on Readium Mobile, and 30+ apps are certified LCP-compliant across iOS and Android. Nineteen corporate members — including EDRLab (core technical partner since 2015), Baker & Taylor, Columbia University Library, VitalSource, NYPL, NYU, DAISY Consortium, Learning Ally and Lyrasis — fund the organization through tiered annual dues ranging from $400 to $4,000 based on revenue, plus optional paid support fees. All software is distributed under a permissive BSD-3 license via github.com/readium on a self-serve basis. The foundation employs 1-10 people, does not have venture or equity investment, and is governed by a member-elected board; revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Readium Foundation

Legal name

Readium Foundation

Website

https://readium.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Readium Foundation is a Seattle-based non-profit that maintains open-source BSD-3-licensed toolkits (Swift, Kotlin, TypeScript, Go, Electron) and the Readium LCP DRM scheme for building interoperable EPUB 3 reading apps across mobile, desktop and web. It is funded by tiered membership dues from 19 publishers, libraries and accessibility organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Publishing Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

eBook & Digital Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Reading Content & eBooks (Leveled Readers, Libraries) (EDAFACAH), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF)

Keywords

• Open source EPUB toolkits
• Digital reading software
• Cross-platform reading SDK
• EPUB 3 publishing standards
• DRM content protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from corporate members based on company revenue tier. Dues support the foundation's mission of fostering digital reading technologies.
2. Optional Support Fees: Optional annual support fees for parties seeking priority attention from the Readium support team. Adopters are encouraged but not required to pay this fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Readium Foundation develops and maintains open-source software toolkits for building digital reading applications across mobile, desktop, and web platforms. The core offerings include Readium Mobile (Swift and Kotlin toolkits), Readium Desktop (Electron/TypeScript), Readium Web (TypeScript client and Go server), and Readium LCP, an interoperable DRM scheme with a server and multi-platform client libraries. These toolkits are distributed under the permissive BSD-3 license and support EPUB 2.x/3.x, PDF, audiobooks, and comics.

Product overview

Readium Foundation develops open-source technology for digital reading, centered on EPUB 3 and the Open Web Platform. The core product portfolio includes Readium Mobile (Swift/Kotlin toolkits for iOS/Android), Readium Web (TypeScript/Go toolkits for web applications), and Readium Desktop (Electron/TypeScript for desktop apps). Supporting these is Readium LCP, an interoperable DRM scheme with server software and multi-platform client libraries. The foundation also maintains specifications including the Readium Web Publication Manifest and License Status Document (LSD). Open-source applications like Thorium Web/Desktop and Readium CLI provide reference implementations. Legacy products Readium SDK (C/JavaScript) and Readium JS are in maintenance mode.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ apps built with Readium Mobile across iOS and Android
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EDRLab (European Digital Reading Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015EDRLab is a membership and non-profit organization dedicated to open standards, open-source and accessibility in the digital book sector. Joined the Readium Foundation in 2015 and developed the new generation of Readium software (Swift and Kotlin toolkits). Also developed Readium Desktop toolkit and Readium LCP Server. Manages the Readium LCP ecosystem as Certification Authority.
• Baker & TaylorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal book distributor and library services provider. Member organization using Readium technologies to build solutions.
• Bibliovault (University of Chicago Press)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit file warehouse/delivery service for scholarly books. Board member (Kate Davey as Treasurer). Helps publishers inventory electronic resources and fulfill directly to customers.
• Bluefire ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization developing Readium-based reading solutions.
• BokbasenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian digital publishing platform. Developer of Allbok app certified as Readium LCP compliant.
• Columbia University LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member organization (Robert Cartolano). Uses Readium technologies for digital library services.
• DAISY ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization dedicated to accessible publishing. Collaborates with Readium on EPUB accessibility guidance and best practices for creating accessible EPUB files.
• De MarqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper of Cantook by Aldiko app (certified LCP compliant) and maintains Flatland audiobook example in De Marque's Audiobook Reader.
• DilicomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench digital publishing infrastructure. Developer of Baobab app (certified LCP compliant).
• eKitabuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKenyan digital publishing platform. Developer of NABU Reader app (certified LCP compliant) and eKitabu app.
• EllibsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish digital publishing platform, member organization.
• Learning AllyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation-focused accessible reading solutions provider for students with print disabilities. Member organization.
• LyrasisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit library services organization. Developer of The Palace Project app (certified LCP compliant).
• New York Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor public library system with digital reading initiatives. Member organization.
• New York UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic member supporting digital publishing research and development.
• VitalSource TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor educational publishing platform, member organization.
• W3C PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReadium maintains close ties with W3C publishing activities and hosts EPUB specifications that are part of W3C's digital publishing work.
• BISG (Book Industry Study Group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on EPUBTest.org, providing unified home for the definitive EPUB 3 Reading System Conformance Test Suite.
• IDPF (International Digital Publishing Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDPF maintains EPUB specifications and Readium hosts documentation and resources for EPUB standards. EPUBCheck tool originally hosted under IDPF.
• Hadrien GardeurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent board member contributing to Readium architecture and development.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• De Marque: Quebec-based digital publishing platform (Cantook by Aldiko, Audiobook Reader). A Readium member and certified LCP-compliant app developer, making it a directly comparable peer in commercial LCP-based reading app deployment.
• Lyrasis (The Palace Project): Non-profit library services organization that develops The Palace Project app, a Readium-LCP-compliant library reading platform. It is both a member and a builder-on/Readium-deployer, making it a directly comparable operating peer in the open library reading space.
• DAISY Consortium: Standards and advocacy organization for accessible publishing. It is a core Readium partner, co-runs EPUBTest.org, and shares the same accessibility-focused mission, making it both a collaborator and the most direct peer in accessible digital reading infrastructure.
• Dilicom: French digital book distribution infrastructure (Baobab app), a Readium member and certified LCP-compliant app developer. Comparable as a national-scale LCP deployment in a major European publishing market.
• VitalSource Technologies: Major educational publishing platform and a Readium Foundation member. Comparable as it both consumes Readium technology and operates a competing/complementary proprietary reading platform for educational content, including accessibility-focused workflows.
• EDRLab (European Digital Reading Lab): Non-profit dedicated to open standards, open-source, and accessibility in the digital book sector. It is the de facto engineering arm of the Readium project, having developed the current Swift/Kotlin toolkits, Readium Desktop, Thorium Reader, and the LCP Server, and acts as the LCP Certification Authority.
• Bokbasen: Norwegian national digital publishing infrastructure (Allbok app), a Readium member and certified LCP-compliant reading app developer. Comparable as a national-scale LCP deployment and a direct implementer of Readium Mobile.

Emerging players

• Bookshop.org: Online bookstore with a Readium-based ebook app. Comparable as a newer entrant using Readium toolkits to enter digital reading without building a proprietary reading stack from scratch.

Broad incumbents

• Adobe (Adobe Digital Editions / Content Server): Dominant incumbent in the library/PDF/DRM space via Adobe Digital Editions and Adobe Content Server, which has historically been the default reading stack for libraries — the same buyer segment Readium LCP is targeting. Comparable as the established player Readium's open LCP is positioned against.
• W3C Publishing Community Group: The W3C subgroup that stewards the EPUB specification (formerly IDPF). Readium explicitly aligns with W3C publishing activities and hosts EPUB resources, making W3C a peer in setting the underlying open standards Readium implements.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/readium
• Xx.com/readiumorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/readium-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Readium Foundation