TL;DR
Building on the success of the Open-Source Hub at Devcon in Bangkok, we are submitting an application for the Open Source Hub for Devconnect Buenos Aires. This will be a multi-day, bilingual community hub dedicated to open-source builders in the Ethereum ecosystem. We will convene maintainers, researchers, funders, and users to share hard-won lessons, demo projects, and explore funding models that keep critical public goods alive. The Open Source Hub will focus on how to create a sustainable ecosystem and culture of open-source in Ethereum, while highlighting the experiences of open-source developers in Argentina and Latin America.
Motivation
Ethereum thrives because it’s built on open source. This openness enables permissionless innovation, trust through transparency, and shared infrastructure that anyone can build upon. Open source strengthens security through public review, compounds innovation via composability, preserves Ethereum’s neutrality by reducing vendor lock-in, and fosters fairer economics that align value capture with contributors and communities.
But open source needs more than just code — it needs sustainable funding, maintainers who can keep the lights on, and communities that can steward projects long-term. As Vitalik has argued, supporting OSS is one of the most impactful ways to strengthen Ethereum itself. It truly can be a ‘third way’ to many of our most challenging technological, political and economic problems.
The OSS funding problem (in Ethereum and beyond)
- Free-rider dynamics: Mission-critical infra used by all, funded by few.
- Grant fragmentation: One-off grants and short cycles rarely sustain core maintenance.
- Talent pipeline gaps: Maintainers lack on-ramps, mentorship, and non-code contribution support (docs, PM, DX, design).
- Governance mismatch: Funding decisions often sit far from end-users and maintainers; incentives drift.
- Licensing uncertainty: Open-core, dual-license, and permissive vs. copyleft choices remain confusing for teams and sponsors.
This hub will surface practical models: diversified grants, retroactive funding, subscriptions, sponsorships, foundations, public-private partnerships, service revenue, token-aligned models that respect OSS licenses, and “open-source capitalism” approaches that keep code free while enabling sustainable businesses.
Program Overview (bilingual: EN/ES)
The Open Source Hub will combine structured talks with informal conversations, all centered on open source. In addition to open-ended discussion, we expect four main content types: 25-minute talks, product demos, panel discussions, and daily office hours. The hub will also provide clear contribution pathways for newcomers, with hands-on guidance and opportunities to join projects in real time.
- OSS Licenses & Legal Considerations – Practical sessions on dual licensing models, how projects can balance openness with sustainability and compliance, and other legal issues related to OSS.
- Working in OSS – Life and career advice from maintainers, covering everything from breaking into open source to avoiding burnout and building long-term impact.
- Funding OSS – Strategies and experiments in grants, retroactive funding, sponsorships, and sustainable revenue models that empower contributors and communities.
- Product Demos – Showcasing innovative open-source tools and infrastructure, with opportunities for live feedback, collaboration, and adoption.
- Story Booth (LatAm Spotlight) – Recorded conversations with developers from Argentina and across Latin America, highlighting their journeys, challenges, and contributions.
In addition to structured programming, the Hub will include a dedicated showcase space where projects can set up for a few hours and answer questions from attendees. This drop-in area will allow ongoing connection and informal networking throughout the day, creating more opportunities for discovery and engagement.
The experience of hosting the Open Source Hub in Bangkok last year informs the proposed content so it is a mix of formal and informal sessions.
Sample daily flow
- 10:00–11:00 Check-in, coffee, unconference sign-ups
- 11:00–12:00 Morning talks (two 30 minute blocks of Spanish speaking content)
- 12:00–12:30 Product demos
- 13:00–14:00 Lunch break
- 14:00–15:00 Afternoon talks (two 30 minute blocks of Spanish speaking content)
- 15:30–16:00 Product demos
- 16:00–17:30 Recap + Office Hours
Partners
- Kilgore from Powerhouse — Lead organizer, programming & operations. Spearheaded the Open Source Hub (or Sustaining Open-Source Development Community Hub) at Devcon in Bangkok in 2024
- ETH Kipu — Regional ecosystem partner, LatAm community outreach, bilingual programming.
- Ethereum Argentina — Local partner, venue/community coordination and co-marketing.
- FOSSASIA - Leading OSS advocate in Asia and around the world since 2009. Founding partner for the Open Source Hub at Devcon in Bangkok in 2024 and organized over 100 developer events, including the annual FOSSASIA Summit.
We will prioritize stories and participation from Argentina and Latin America while remaining open to global OSS projects.
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Audience
- OSS maintainers, contributors, and community managers
- Client, tooling, and infra teams
- Researchers and educators
- Funders: foundations, DAOs, grant programs, sponsors
- Builders evaluating OSS paths (licensing, sustainability, governance)
- Students and new contributors seeking on-ramps
Equipment needed:
- Setup: Stage, AV equipment, booths w/ TV screens, chairs, whiteboards, and power outlets
- Directions to the hub!