The article discusses Workbrew, a new company that has emerged from the open-source project Homebrew. Workbrew is a commercial entity that provides additional features and support for the Homebrew project, which allows developers to easily install and manage software on their Macs.
Here are some key points from the article:
- Workbrew was founded by three individuals who were previously involved with the Homebrew project: Lucas Gennari, Daniel Jativa, and Max Howell.
- The company has just entered public beta and has already gained 20 customers, including expenses management provider Emburse and big data serving engine Vespa.
- Workbrew offers a range of features that are not included in the open-source Homebrew project, such as commercial support, developer-focused tools, and deeper integrations with mobile device management (MDM) software.
- The company has raised $5 million in funding and plans to use this money to "rapidly scale" its platform and develop new features.
- Workbrew’s success depends on the continued support of the Homebrew project, which is a non-profit organization that relies on donations from users and philanthropic efforts from big-name donors.
Some potential implications of Workbrew’s emergence include:
- The possibility of creating a new revenue stream for open-source projects by offering commercial features and support.
- The potential for open-source projects to become more sustainable and self-sustaining, rather than relying solely on donations or grants.
- The importance of continued support for the Homebrew project, which has provided valuable services to developers and users.
Overall, the article suggests that Workbrew’s emergence represents a new development in the world of open-source software, and could have significant implications for the way that projects are funded and supported in the future.