Open Source Entrepreneurship Forum 2008

 

Overview

The Open Source model of software development offers:

• software products built on Open standards
• service innovation around an Open source product
• leverage through collaboration between companies, groups and individuals
• user-centric leadership in terms of schedules and features
• community based support, promotion and innovation
• cost effectiveness by way of integration of existing Open source components.

Open Source has a unique value proposition for the IT industry in particular and business in general.

What we are trying to accomplish ?

This one-day session is focussed on "How to build an Open Source business" !

The key take ways expected from the event are:

• insights into the Open Source business model
• right selection of licensing, marketing, resourcing
• how to build an ecosystem around Open Source businesses for gathering the right talent and investments
• how to raise funds for the startup

Who is the intended audience ?

The Open Source Entrepreneurship Forum is a must attend for:

• would be entrepreneurs interested in starting a company
• founders from existing startups looking for Open Source business models
• established companies with units focussed on Open source

This is a very focussed event for about 40 - 45 attendees organized in 7 - 8 groups for workgroup participation and interaction.

When and Where is it happening ?

The event is scheduled to be held on

Saturday, 24th May from 0930 hrs - 1330hrs

at Seminar Hall - I, 'C' Block,  I.I.I.T. campus, Gachi Bowli, Hyderabad

 

Who are the speakers / orchestrators for the discussions ?

Ms. Alolita Sharma, CEO Technetra and Open Source Initiative (OSI) board member.

Experienced entrepreneurs who have setup Open Source business companies.

A couple of esteemed speakers and VCs are expected as well.

 

What is the schedule for the program ?

0900 hrs - Registration

0940 hrs - Welcome by Ms. Namita Iyer, President TWINCLING Society, Hyderabad

0945 hrs - Open Source Research by Dr. Vikram Pudi, IIIT Hyderabad

0955 hrs - Innovation Lab by Ms. Kavita Vemuri, IIIT Hyderabad.

1000 hrs - Open Source Business Models, Ms. Alolita Sharma, CEO, Technetra.

1130 hrs - Tea Break with snacks

1150 hrs - Experience Sharing and Panel Discussion

1330 hrs - Gift Ceremony by Ms. Namita Iyer & Mr. Umamaheshwararao Lankoti

1340 hrs - Closing, Vote of Thanks, Mr. Saurabh Bhatia, TWINCLING Society, Hyderabad

 

How do i register ?

 

Registrations are now closed !

 

Where can i park my vehicle ?

The institute has ample parking place, between 'C' block and the main building.

The attendees are requested not to park their cars on the entrance leading to the main building.
 

 

What are the suggestions / comments from would be attendees ?

Here are the excerpts from the mail that we received from the individuals.

From Sivakrishna E, CEO, Synovel Software Solutions

We will be very interested to take part in the OSEF event. Actually we wanted to gain more insights into the Open Source business model with the companies doing that already. There is a lot of difference between the conventional businesses and the Open Source businesses in terms of the licensing, marketing, resourcing. Apart from these, there is a requirement to build an ecosystem around Open Source businesses for gathering the right talent and investments. It would be good to discuss these aspects during the event.

From Ramesh Rajamani, Co-Founder & Technical Architect, Compassites Software Solutions

Thanks for sending me this update.
It would be an amazing event and a needed one. Kudos to you and the Twincling team for arranging this.

Some of the areas of discussion in the event that comes on top of my head,

• Identifying key areas of running a business (starting from pre-sales to product development) and identifying what/how an open source tool can fit in different areas.
• What are the key disadvantages that business thinks in working with or using open source products/tools?
• What are the ways to mitigate such disadvantages? (for example unavailability of on going support is one area that business fears to go with open source)
• How can successful business and entrepreneurs support open source in terms of resource, money and time?
• Binding the three strong entities for a brighter future - Education, Enterprise, Open Source - Possibilities,
  advantages and disadvantages.
• Ideas that entrepreneurs, businesses that support open source and open source community that can focus -
  online/tools enhancing the lives of Indian common man, e-agriculture, e-governance etc.

Am not sure how much of the above would make sense but am interested in hearing discussions on the above areas. I would be happy to attend this meeting but unfortunately I am in the US on a business trip, and will be here until end of June. Keep me updated and I would like to know how the event goes and any output/materials you can share would be great.

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