A center for “open technology” startups will open in a Portland, Ore. suburb on February 1, the OSDL has announced. Funded by the City of Beaverton, the Open Technology Business Center will offer residencies to qualified early-stage companies, with the OSDL providing consulting around open source business models and opportunites.
According to the OSDL, the Center will offer participants in its “ventures-in-residence” program office space, network facilities, and a variety of consulting services. The Center will also house an “Open Technology executive institute” for advisors, educators, consultants, and investors, who will enjoy “access to to industry thought leaders and domain experts,” the organization says.
The OSDL is a global consortium that has taken a leadership position in the development of open source technologies such as Carrier Grade Linux, now widely used in the telecommunications industry. The OSDL is also well-known as the primary employer of legendary Linux kernel creator Linus Torvalds and kernel maintainer Andrew Morton. The OSDL last week extended a fellowship to Samba originator Andrew Tridgell.
According to the OSDL, the 15,000 square-foot Center was “envisioned and funded” by Portland suburb Beaverton, which has invested $1.2 million in the facility. Initial partners include the State of Oregon and the OSDL. Between three and five open technology companies will be onboard for the Centers opening on February 1, the OSDL said.