Exploring the evolution of open source software and its impact on the Tech landscape.

Open Source Ready

In this inaugural episode of Open Source Ready, Brian Douglas and John McBride embark on a technical and philosophical exploration of the current state of open-source AI. John shares his hands-on experience with building large-scale data pipelines and integrating AI to create meaningful insights for developers. The discussion revolves around the balance between innovation, data privacy, and the growing power of large tech companies in the AI space. They also touch on the open-source community's challenges, including licensing issues and the role of foundations in supporting AI projects.

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Open Source Ready - Ep. #1, Introducing Open Source Ready

In episode 2 of Open Source Ready, Brian Douglas and John McBride speak with Avi Press, Founder & CEO of Scarf. Together they explore the evolving definition of "open source" in the context of AI and the future of technology. They also examine broader issues surrounding licensing, business models in open source, and the challenges associated with both.

Open Source Ready - Ep. #2, Defining Open Source with Avi Press of Scarf

In episode 3 of Open Source Ready, Brian and John sit down with Chad Whitacre from Sentry to discuss the Open Source Pledge, a new initiative aimed at addressing the sustainability crisis in open source software. Chad shares insights on how companies can better support the maintainers behind the projects they rely on and explores the cultural challenges of funding open source development.

Open Source Ready - Ep. #3, The Open Source Pledge with Chad Whitacre of Sentry

In episode 4 of Open Source Ready, Brian and John chat with open source expert Tobie Langel about the critical issues of sustainability and security in open source software. Tobie shares insights on the vulnerabilities of widely used open source projects, the need for professional maintainers, and the evolving legislative landscape that could reshape the future of open source.

Open Source Ready - Ep. #4, A Billion-Dollar Idea with Tobie Langel

In episode 5 of Open Source Ready, John and Brian speak with Elliott Minns, the creator of Dreams of Code and Dreams of Autonomy. They explore Elliott’s mission to empower developers through software autonomy, the challenges of open source sustainability, and the fascinating potential of Linux and NixOS. Discover how self-hosting and open source tools are transforming the way we interact with technology.

Open Source Ready - Ep. #5, Software Autonomy: Owning Your Tech with Elliott Minns

In episode 18 of Open Source Ready, Brian Douglas and John McBride are joined by Christopher Burns to unpack the complexities of consent management and cookie banners. Discover how Christopher’s open source project, c15t, aims to simplify privacy compliance for developers, bridging the gap between legal requirements and practical implementation. This episode offers a fresh perspective on why consent is not just a legal burden, but a critical component of modern web development.

Open Source Ready - Ep. #18, Consent Management with Christopher Burns

Heavybit is the leading early-stage investor in enterprise infrastructure. Since 2013, we've helped launch and scale visionary technical startups—from DevSecOps and feature flagging to AI code generation and beyond. We go hands-on from day 0, backing founders as they turn code into companies and build the future of software from the bottom up to the top down.