Open Source Business

Potsdam, November 29, 2006 – Open Source is known as one of the most promising development models for new IT technologies, particularly in the software area. However, its potential of commercial exploitation still remains to be defined. In order to discuss this topic in Germany and to provide an opportunity to emerging Open Source companies for presenting themselves to experts and investors, the first Open Source Business Forum took place on November 7, 2006, at Hasso Plattner Institut in Potsdam. Eran Davidson, President and CEO of Hasso Plattner Ventures (HPV), framed the key questions concerning the commercial future of the free development model. They built the foundation for discussions of more than 100 forum participants, including Dr. Heinrich Arnold, Vice President Innovation Development of Deutsche Telekom Laboratories, and Herbert Kircher, Managing Director of IBM Deutschland Entwicklung GmbH. Technological, financial and legal aspects of Open Source were addressed.