The History of SourceForge

Open source software collaboration platform SourceForge began its journey when graduate student Larry Augustin joined James Vera to found VA Research in November 1993. The company built computers with the Linux operating system already installed. In early 1999 the successful business bought up several other companies, including Linux Hardware Solutions.

From VA Research to VA Linux Systems

In December 1999, VA Research changed its name to VA Linux Systems and conducted a wildly successful initial public stock offering, closing the first day almost 700% above the original asking price of $30, although the euphoria soon faded. In early 2000, the company acquired several online software developers and opened the Open Source Developers Network (OSDN) as a new division, marking a change of course toward facilitating the development of a variety of software in addition to Linux.

From VA Linux to SourceForge

By the end of the next year, VA Linux became VA Software and changed OSDN to Open Source Technology Group. In May of 2007 VA Software merged with OSTG to become SourceForge Inc. From 2007 to 2009 SourceForge hosted the popular Community Choice Awards for various aspects of open-source software development.

From SourceForge to Geeknet

Geeknet, Inc. incorporated in November 2009, with SourceForge as a large component of a company which features several tech-related computer sites and the ThinkGeek online tech-oriented retail site.

The history of SourceForge from its beginning with the manufacture and sale of Linux-based computer systems to its current place as a popular and widely used software development and download website shows a steady trend to refine the business to better meet the needs of the computing community. Geeknet serves as an appropriate parent company to help SourceForge maximize its potential into the future.