The new CEO of MariaDB (Plc) wants to strengthen collaboration with the foundation behind the open-source database project of the same name. He believes that the company’s recent acquisition by a private equity firm has brought stability, allowing it to establish a firmer foundation.
It has been a tumultuous two years for MariaDB, culminating in a failed public listing through a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in 2022, leading to a significant decline. However, the company was later taken private by K1 Investment Management in a $37 million deal.
The recent transaction has removed MariaDB’s shares from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the company expected to go private by early December. With ex-Micro Focus executive Rohit De Souza now serving as CEO, MariaDB is gearing up to operate as a private entity once again, emphasizing closer ties with the foundation that shares its name.
The MariaDB project was initiated in 2009 in response to ownership changes in MySQL. Following the acquisition of MySQL by Sun Microsystems, MariaDB was developed as a community-driven “fork” of MySQL by Michael “Monty” Widenius. Over time, organizations like SkySQL and Monty Program emerged, eventually merging to become MariaDB Corporation, which raised $230 million for services related to the MariaDB project. Concurrently, the MariaDB Foundation was established in 2012 to safeguard the interests of users and developers.
Currently, MariaDB ranks as the 15th most popular database according to DB-Engines Ranking, reaching ninth place for relational databases and fourth for open-source relational databases. The relationship between the MariaDB Corporation and the Foundation has seen its ups and downs, particularly regarding the focus on proprietary tools. However, a new CEO and executive team have fostered improved relations, with shared objectives of cooperation and openness.
Both the Foundation and MariaDB Corporation are engaged in joint strategy sessions to enhance mutual support. With backing from a major private equity firm, MariaDB aims to focus on core operations with fewer market pressures, enabling greater collaboration with the Foundation.
The Foundation has welcomed Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a significant sponsor, furthering its commitment to enhancing MariaDB Server capabilities. The ongoing collaboration between MariaDB and AWS underscores a positive outlook for the community and its development.
Moving forward, MariaDB Plc anticipates net growth, despite recent layoffs and product restructuring efforts. The company remains committed to enhancing talent and fostering growth under private equity ownership.
With a wealth of experience in enterprise management, De Souza aims to bring stability and growth to MariaDB. His focus on efficient operations and profitability signals a shift towards a more robust and strategic approach for the company’s future success.
