Michael Meeks joins us the week to talk about competing with Microsoft, and why Open Source Wins. Some of the highlights of our conversation include:

• On organic growth: "Unlike many VC-backed companies, we're organic, we're profitable and we have a mission which is to drive open source."
• The business model is counterintuitive but brilliant. By giving away free software, Collabora builds massive brand recognition and deployment. Users try it at home, fall in love with it, and when they need enterprise support, they know exactly who to call.
• On digital sovereignty: In an increasingly geopolitical world, Michael argues open source is the only path to true sovereignty. "The only way to have true digital sovereignty...is to use open source because then it is for the world. It is both local and a collaboration internationally."
• One of the most interesting technical insights: Collabora keeps documents on the server rather than downloading them to clients. This enables server-side policy enforcement - no copy-paste, no printing, no downloads, plus watermarking for traceability.

Michael's remote-first approach is worth noting: rather than have some staff in an office and others remote (which creates two-tier communication), Collabora went fully distributed globally. They do maintain a Cambridge base with internships at Hills Road sixth form college, giving back to the community that shaped him.

Whether you're a founder wrestling with funding strategy, a VC evaluating open source investments, or simply curious about how to build a profitable, mission-driven company without VC pressure, this episode delivers real insights.

Ready to dive deeper? Download Collabora Office from your app store and listen to the full conversation on the Cambridge Tech Podcast. You'll leave thinking differently about competition, sovereignty, and what sustainable growth actually looks like.

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