NLnet Foundation
Business Profile
Core Value Proposition
NLnet Foundation provides funding to organisations and people who are developing open solutions that empower users on all layers of technology, supporting open hardware, open software, open standards, open science and open data.
Target Customer
Individuals, research organisations, non-profits, public institutions, and companies of any size working on open source/open standards projects that improve the internet.
Key Differentiator
Long-standing philanthropic funder (since 1997) with back-to-back open calls across multiple thematic funds (NGI Zero, Commons Fund, TALER, Mobifree, Fediversity, Open Social Fund) and practical support services (security/accessibility audits, mentoring, testing, licensing advice), focused on open source and the digital commons.
Implementation Timeline
Funding proposals have deadlines on the 1st of every even month; typical grant sizes are 5,000–50,000 EUR with potential to scale; some NGI Zero programs run through 2027.
Pain Points
- 1Need funding to develop open hardware, software, standards, and data that improve the open internet.
- 2Require non-commercial, cost-recovery grant funding with flexible grant sizes and potential to scale.
- 3Need added value services (security/audit, accessibility, licensing guidance, mentoring) to ensure project quality and compliance.
Key Features
- 1Grants between 5,000 and 50,000 EUR, with potential to scale if there is proven potential.
- 2Back-to-back open calls with deadlines on the 1st of every even month (e.g., December 1, 2025).
- 3Active funds include NGI Zero Commons Fund, NGI TALER, NGI Mobifree, NGI Fediversity, and Open Social Fund, plus NLnet Zero Review.
- 4Support services such as security and accessibility audits, mentoring, testing expertise, and copyright/licensing advice.
- 5All projects must be free/libre/open source and outputs published under a recognized free/open license.
Target Customer Industries
Decision Makers
- 1Technology Assessor
- 2Representative (NGI Zero)
Client Results
- 1NLnet has funded or supported notable open-source projects such as Jitsi, Peertube, WireGuard, NoScript, Tor Hidden Services, CryptPad.
- 2Contributions span safer email, vendor-independent videoconferencing, more reliable wireless networks, private instant messaging, and broader open standards.
- 3NLnet spawned NLnet Labs and supports initiatives across the internet infrastructure.
Competitive Advantages
- 1Cost-recovery based funding model, not paying commercial rates.
- 2Commitment to open source, open standards, and the digital commons.
- 3Diverse, mission-driven funds aligned with the Next Generation Internet initiative.
- 4Proven track record since 1997 and a broad network of supported projects.
- 5Practical support services (security, accessibility, licensing, mentoring) in addition to funding.
Key Benefits
Case Studies & Success Stories
Jitsi
NLnet provided funding/support to open-source Jitsi, contributing to its development as an open-source video-conferencing project.
Peertube
NLnet supported the open-source video platform Peertube as part of its funding for open internet projects.
WireGuard
NLnet contributed support for the WireGuard open-source VPN protocol as part of the portfolio.
CryptPad
NLnet funded CryptPad, an open-source privacy-focused collaborative editor.
Tor Hidden Services
NLnet supported funding for privacy and anonymity related work including Tor Hidden Services.
NoScript
NLnet supported NoScript, an open-source browser security tool.
Additional Product Information
Product Description
NLnet Foundation funds open hardware, open software, open standards, open science and open data projects via open calls and thematic funds (NGI Zero Commons Fund, NGI TALER, NGI Mobifree, NGI Fediversity, Open Social Fund) and provides practical support services to strengthen digital commons.
Target Market
Individuals, research organisations, non-profits, public institutions, and companies of any size developing open technologies and open-source projects.
Unique Value Proposition
A long-standing, mission-driven funder with multiple Next Generation Internet programs, offering grants, pilots, and hands-on support to build an open, user-centric internet under open licenses.
Technical Requirements
All projects must be free/libre/open source; scientific outcomes must be published as open access; software/hardware developed must be published under a recognized free/open license.
Pricing Model
Cost-recovery based funding model; NLnet does not pay commercial rates.
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