The Linux Foundation has evolved significantly over the years, expanding its scope far beyond its origins as the steward of the Linux kernel. Today, it serves as a broad umbrella organization for over a thousand open source projects, covering a wide range of areas including cloud infrastructure, security, digital wallets, enterprise search, fintech, maps, and more.

Recently, the OpenInfra Foundation, known for OpenStack, joined the Linux Foundation, further solidifying its position as a “foundation of foundations.” This move underscores the Linux Foundation’s role in supporting and connecting various open source projects across different technologies.

The Linux Foundation was formed in 2007 through the merger of two Linux-focused non-profit organizations: the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL) and the Free Standards Group (FSG). Its founding members included prominent companies like IBM, Intel, and Oracle, with the goal of promoting Linux as an alternative to closed platforms, particularly Windows.

According to Jim Zemlin, the Linux Foundation’s executive director, “Computing is entering a world dominated by two platforms: Linux and Windows. While being managed under one roof has given Windows some consistency, Linux offers freedom of choice, customization, and flexibility without forcing customers into vendor lock-in.”

A “Portfolio Approach”

Under Zemlin’s leadership, the Linux Foundation has adopted a “portfolio approach,” diversifying its investments across various technologies to ensure its long-term relevance. This approach allows the foundation to benefit from specialized expertise in specific areas while leveraging broader expertise in areas like copyright, patents, data privacy, cybersecurity, marketing, and event organization.

Zemlin explains, “Technology goes up and down — we’re not using iPods or floppy disks anymore. What I realized early on was that if the Linux Foundation were to become an enduring body for collective software development, we needed to be able to bet on many different forms of technology.” This strategy enables the foundation to adapt to changing technological landscapes and support a wide range of projects.

The Linux Foundation’s growth and expansion have also led to the development of new initiatives, such as the Model Openness Framework, designed to provide a more nuanced approach to defining open source AI. This framework assesses the completeness and openness of AI models, allowing for a more informed understanding of their potential applications and limitations.

The foundation’s work in open source AI has also been influenced by the emergence of companies like DeepSeek, which has developed performant and efficient open source models that are challenging the dominance of proprietary players in the field.

VC in Reverse

The Linux Foundation’s approach to supporting open source projects can be seen as a reverse venture capitalist model. Instead of seeking to make a profit, the foundation looks for “project-market fit” and works to bring together developers and leaders to create impactful technologies that can drive positive change in various industries.

Zemlin notes, “The science is that you have to create value for the developers in these communities that are creating the artifact, the open source code that everybody wants — that’s where all the value comes from. The art is trying to figure out where there’s a new opportunity for open source to have a big impact on an industry.”

Despite its expanded scope, the Linux Foundation is unlikely to rebrand itself as something more generic, such as the Open Technology Foundation. Zemlin believes that the Linux brand is too powerful and closely associated with the values of open source to be abandoned.

As the Linux Foundation continues to evolve and support new open source projects, its commitment to promoting freedom, choice, and collaboration in the technology industry remains unwavering. Its “portfolio approach” and reverse venture capitalist model have positioned the foundation as a driving force for innovation and progress in the world of open source technology.