The OCV Open Source Project Sponsorship Program (the “OSPS Program”) provides funding and mentorship to open source authors and maintainers to catalyze project growth. The program aims to support open source projects with commercial viability by helping maintainers increase project usage, revitalize project activity, grow community contributions, and develop relationships with experienced open source experts.
The OSPS Program supports OCV’s mission to enable more people to become entrepreneurs and lower the barrier to starting an open core company and its vision to start the majority of venture-funded open core companies. Despite technical promise and utility, many open source projects face challenges such as insufficient resources or stalled community growth. The OSPS Program seeks to strengthen projects and the greater open-source developer community, as well as offer entrepreneurial opportunities to exceptional open source authors and maintainers.
The OSPS Program has three goals:
- Support open source sustainability through financial support and mentorship.
- Increase the number of open source projects that have the potential to become open core companies.
- Foster relationships with high-potential open core founders.
Sponsorship will be awarded to contributors on a rolling basis. ISponsored projects and their authors who demonstrate notable growth in the sponsorship program may be invited to start an open core company under the standard OCV Model. Participation in the OSPS Program does not guarantee an offer for further funding from Open Core Ventures.
Program Details
The OCV Open Source Project Sponsorship Program is a three-month program that provides funding and mentorship to eligible open source authors and maintainers.
- Sponsorship awards range from $5,000-$10,000. Award amounts are determined on a project-by-project basis.
- Program participants will receive goal setting support and up to two (2) individual office hours with an OCV open source evangelist.
- Program participants will set quantifiable goals to be met over the three-month period and are expected to share brief bi-weekly progress updates.
- Participants may be invited to be featured in a blog post.
Funding is not contingent upon meeting program goals. However, recipients who fail to meet reporting requirements or attend scheduled check-ins may be dismissed from the program and forfeit any remaining funds.
Eligibility criteria
Sponsorship is awarded to specific contributors. Foundations and non-profits are not eligible to receive sponsorship. Eligible projects must fulfill at least 1 of the following criteria:
- Potential for commercial viability under the open core business model.
- An author or maintainer with the interest in becoming a technical co-founder.
Sponsorship participants are expected to use award funding to achieve the goals set at the start of the program.
Application Process
Interested maintainers can apply here. The OSPS Program is held on a rolling basis. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Program start dates will be determined on an individual basis.
Receiving sponsorship funds
Sponsorship awards will be given in two installments throughout the three-month program. Recipients are required to complete a W-9 and will receive a 1099 tax form from Open Core Ventures.
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