The Round Table Expands: A Queen’s Reflections on Unity and Momentum
Legend says Queen Guinevere once presided over a court where knights debated honor and destiny. In my version, the knights bring code diffs, sponsorship agreements, and opinions on open source governance. There’s less jousting, more Zoom calls — and while I lack a crown, I do wield a formidable calendar and an unshakable belief in collaboration.
As I reflect on the May 2025 meeting of the MariaDB Foundation Board, one truth stands tall (in shining armor): the MariaDB kingdom is not divided. It is uniting.
Harmony in the Realm
The collaboration between MariaDB Foundation and MariaDB plc has never been more dynamic — or more impactful.
Today, we’re not just aligned in spirit. We’re working together in practice to drive real progress:
- Jointly reviewing and improving community code contributions, with faster turnaround and clearer guidance
- Building the MariaDB for Universities initiative, delivering ready-to-use academic material and hands-on labs
- Co-hosting global meetups and developer events, bringing our combined voice to the wider open source ecosystem
This is not symbolic unity. It is functional, productive alignment that will have a positive impact for contributors.
Allies of the Crown
No kingdom thrives alone. Behind every strong realm stands its allies — and among ours, AWS has proven a steadfast and strategic force.
From co-organizing events that draw the finest minds in cloud and database innovation, to actively contributing improvements to the MariaDB Server, AWS plays the role not just of benefactor, but of knight-errant — riding forward with code, ideas, and community spirit.
Their collaboration is a shining example of what it means to be both a user and a champion of open source: not just taking part in the feast, but helping set the table.
Sponsorships: Not Just Support, But Stewardship
One does not build a kingdom on ideas alone. Our growing list of Silver Sponsors — including Senticore, Ravatar, Kinsta, Tempesta, Vettabase and more to be announced soon — is proof that companies see value not just in using MariaDB, but in shaping its future.
Sponsorship means joining the Round Table. It means having a voice in the stewardship of an open source project used by millions. And it means helping the Foundation remain independent, professional, and responsive to the community and the enterprise world alike.
We are also seeing fruitful conversations with larger organizations who are exploring deeper levels of engagement. Momentum is real.
The Road Ahead
The next chapter in the Foundation’s journey unfolds with purpose:
- Strengthen our developer ecosystem and increase external contributions
- Finalize our transition to Europe for long-term resilience and relevance
- Expand our global events and university outreach programs
- And continue to ensure that MariaDB stays truly open and community-driven
The Round Table has room. Whether you are a developer, a partner, or a potential sponsor — we welcome you. Because this is not just about software. It is about legacy, integrity, and building something worthy of the trust placed in us.