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MariaDB Corporation Ab
MariaDB Corporation Ab was founded in 2009 by Michael Widenius, the original creator of MySQL, after he forked the MySQL codebase to create a...
MariaDB Corporation Ab
MariaDB Corporation Ab was founded in 2009 by Michael Widenius, the original creator of MySQL, after he forked the MySQL codebase to create a community-driven alternative. The company was initially named Monty Program Ab and later rebranded as MariaDB. It operates as an open-source software company, generating revenue through enterprise subscriptions, support, and cloud database services. The firm's strategy centers on providing a drop-in replacement for MySQL with enhanced scalability, performance, and security features, targeting enterprises migrating to cloud-native architectures. Its primary product is MariaDB Enterprise, available on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. The company also offers SkySQL, a fully managed database-as-a-service. Its investor base includes Alibaba Group, Intel Capital, and ServiceNow (per Crunchbase, 2023). The firm serves customers across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. MariaDB went public in December 2022 via a SPAC merger with Angel Pond Holdings, raising approximately $120M in gross proceeds (per SEC filing, December 2022). The company employs roughly 400 staff globally, with offices in Boston, Milpitas, and Helsinki. In early 2024, the firm announced a strategic investment from Alibaba Cloud to expand its cloud database integration (per MariaDB press release, January 2024). MariaDB also operates a foundation that stewards the open-source project, separate from the commercial entity. The structural differentiator for MariaDB Corporation Ab is its hybrid model: it is both an open-source project steward and a commercial enterprise software company, operating with a dual revenue stream from community-led adoption and enterprise sales. This model allows the firm to leverage a global developer community while monetizing through subscription and cloud services. The company's governance is typical of a publicly traded corporation with a board elected by shareholders.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
2009
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Boston
Corporate office
Boston, MA, United States
Additional offices
Milpitas, CA, United States
Principals
Michael Howard
CEO
Rohan Kumar
Board Member
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who leads investment decisions at MariaDB Corporation Ab?
Investment decisions are led by CEO Michael Howard and the executive team, with strategic oversight from the board, which includes Rohan Kumar (former Microsoft executive) and representatives from major investors like Alibaba and Intel. The company does not disclose a separate CIO or investment committee beyond the board.
How does MariaDB generate revenue?
MariaDB generates revenue primarily through enterprise software subscriptions for its MariaDB Enterprise platform, which provides security patches, performance enhancements, and compliance tools. The company also offers SkySQL, a cloud database service, and professional services. Revenue is recognized as subscription-based, with annual recurring revenue as a key metric (per company filings, 2023).
Does MariaDB Corporation Ab invest in other startups or private companies?
No. MariaDB is an operating software company, not an asset manager or venture firm. It does not maintain a dedicated investment portfolio or deploy capital as a principal investor. Any investments would be strategic partnerships like the Alibaba Cloud deal, which is a business development arrangement rather than an equity investment.
What investment stages does the company target for its own growth?
MariaDB targets growth-stage funding through venture rounds and public market capital, rather than early-stage or seed investing. Its funding history includes Series B, C, D, and the 2022 SPAC IPO, indicating a focus on scaling commercial operations. The company does not aim to be an investor itself.
Which sectors does MariaDB primarily serve?
MariaDB serves the enterprise technology sector, with a focus on financial services, telecommunications, and government. Known clients include Deutsche Bank, DBS Bank, and the US Department of Health and Human Services (per customer case studies, 2023). The company avoids sectors like gaming or consumer apps due to less need for transactional database reliability.
Is MariaDB Corporation Ab a family office?
No. MariaDB is a publicly traded corporation listed on the OTC market under ticker MRDB. It does not function as a family office, investment vehicle, or wealth management entity for any family or individual. Its investors are institutional and public shareholders.
What is the relationship between MariaDB Corporation and the MariaDB Foundation?
The MariaDB Foundation is a separate non-profit entity that stewards the open-source project, independent of the commercial company. The Corporation contributes code and financial support but does not control the foundation. This separation is similar to MySQL vs Oracle (per MariaDB Foundation governance, 2023).
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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