Three years ago, the author’s world fell apart when his open source project, OptaPlanner, was threatened. Despite its success, the project was discontinued, leading him to start Timefold AI, a PlanningAI company with commercial success while maintaining open source values. Through dedication and engineering excellence, OptaPlanner grew into a software library used in enterprises like NASA. However, the lack of a proper business model led to its demise when Red Hat was acquired by IBM. The author recounts the emotional journey of building Timefold AI, highlighting the importance of support from his spouse and the role of cofounders in startup success. They eventually secured funding from a VC firm, allowing them to launch Timefold’s Solver product and achieve their first big customer. To overcome hurdles and achieve Product Market Fit, the team built the Timefold Platform and expanded their startup team to include experts in various fields. Through perseverance and strategic decision-making, Timefold AI emerged as a successful business in the competitive tech industry.
https://timefold.ai/blog/how-i-built-an-ai-company-to-save-my-open-source-project