Executive-level services for organizations that treat open source as infrastructure
Every engagement is designed for accountability, measurable outcomes, and long-term operational independence. We don’t create dependency — we build capability.
1. Open Source Governance & OSPO / dOSPO Design
Design, build, or refactor open source governance and operating models for scale, safety, and funding durability.
Delivered Outcomes
- OSPO or dOSPO operating model (centralized, federated, or decentralized)
- Governance charters, committee structures, and decision rights
- Contributor, maintainer, and steward role definitions
- Full policy stack: contribution, security, licensing, incident response
- Transition plans from single-vendor to community ownership
Ideal for: Foundations, Web3 ecosystems, AI companies, and enterprises with open source as critical infrastructure.
2. Paid Open Source & Sustainability Models
Design funding mechanisms that compensate open-source work without compromising project independence or governance integrity.
Delivered Outcomes
- Maintainer Retainer Programs
- Tooling Sustainability Programs
- Feature bounty and milestone-based funding models
- Budget governance and renewal criteria
- KPI and impact measurement frameworks
Distinct advantage: Built and operated at ecosystem scale — not theoretical.
3. Ecosystem Program Operations & Institutional Build-Out
End-to-end construction and operation of ecosystem-scale programs that must survive politics, budgets, security incidents, and global scrutiny. This is not program design in theory — it is standing up operational infrastructure.
Delivered Outcomes
- Member-based operating models for multi-entity ecosystems
- Committee and working-group systems with real authority
- Budget ownership, renewal criteria, and treasury alignment
- Vendor coordination models across competing stakeholders
- Operational playbooks for day-to-day execution under governance constraints
Proof surface: Built and operated at Cardano ecosystem scale, including governance bodies, funding programs, and lifecycle management across hundreds of repositories.
4. Open Source Security & Incident Readiness
Operational security coordination for open source ecosystems — governance and operations, not penetration testing.
Delivered Outcomes
- Security council or coordination body design
- Vulnerability disclosure and response workflows
- Incident command and escalation models
- Post-incident review and structural remediation
5. Ecosystem & Program Audits
Independent, unsentimental assessment of open-source programs and portfolios — designed for boards, executives, and funders who need truth, not reassurance.
Delivered Outcomes
- Program health, maturity, and risk assessments
- Maintainer sustainability and bus-factor analysis
- Governance failure modes and bottleneck identification
- Clear remediation roadmap with priority ordering
6. Executive Advisory: Open Source, AI & Governance
Direct advisory for senior leaders navigating open source and AI as institutional infrastructure. Available on retainer or time-boxed engagement.
Delivered Outcomes
- Strategic positioning of open source within the organization
- Internal alignment between product, legal, security, and community
- Preparation for board, regulator, or public scrutiny
- Narrative reframing from “community cost center” to civic infrastructure
7. Education, Enablement & Thought Leadership
Structured knowledge transfer without performative evangelism. Executive briefings, internal team training, governance workshops, and strategic publications.
Not included: Generic talks, hype decks, or content marketing.
Open Source Cowboy Consulting 