TY - JOUR T1 - The Business of Open: Common Pitfalls for Open Source Startups JF - Open Source Business Resource Y1 - 2010 A1 - Mekki MacAulay AB - Many entrepreneurs look at open source as a panacea of sorts, a golden ticket to success. They assume that the value of the open source approach is apparent to all, undeniable, and the only way. The mistake they often make is carrying this passion into the way they form their startup. They assume that open source startups are somehow different, and that as a result they will carry themselves. I was once such an entrepreneur, with such a vision. The reality is that an open source startup isn't really that different from other startups. It still needs to have figured out all of the essential components of a successful business. An open source strategy can certainly yield a competitive advantage, bringing faster time to market, lower development cost, collaboration opportunities, ecosystem positioning, and faster adoption. But, these advantages don't come along on their own. The open source strategy is just one piece of the larger business model. The other pieces have to be strong, too, or the whole might crumble. This article reviews the essentials for all startups and highlights special considerations and pitfalls for open source startups in particular. It also discusses how startups can use an open source strategy to gain competitive advantage by focusing the passion and energy surrounding participation in open source towards value creation and acquisition. PB - Talent First Network CY - Ottawa UR - http://timreview.ca/article/324 IS - February 2010 U1 - OSStrategy.org Mekki MacAulay is the Principal of OSStrategy.org, a consulting firm that helps companies improve their competitive advantage and strategic positioning in a world embracing open source. Mekki is also the president and founder of MekTek Solutions, an IT services company based in Ottawa, ON. Mekki holds undergraduate degrees from Carleton University in Computer Systems Engineering, and Psychology, and a Master's degree in Technology Innovation Management. His research interests focus on open source adoption; open source ecosystem value creation, extraction, and keystone company positioning; and quantifying the value of passive participation in open source projects. ER -