MariaDB Corporation AB is the commercial entity behind MariaDB Server, one of the most popular open-source database systems globally. It was initially developed to address concerns about MySQL's open-source nature after Oracle acquired it. The company operates alongside the MariaDB Foundation, which ensures the database remains open source and fosters community collaboration.
MariaDB was created in 2009 by Michael "Monty" Widenius, the original developer of MySQL. It was named after his daughter Maria. The corporate entity, MariaDB Corporation AB (formerly SkySQL), was established in 2010 to provide commercial support and development for MariaDB.
A $54 million Series C round in 2017 led by Alibaba Group.
A public listing via a SPAC in December 2022 with an initial market cap of $445 million. However, its valuation declined significantly post-IPO, dropping to under $12 million by early 2024.
MariaDB Enterprise Platform: Combines transactional and analytical capabilities with features like vector search for AI applications, JSON support, and enhanced security measures.
SkySQL: A cloud-based database-as-a-service offering that simplifies deployment and management in cloud environments.
Core Features:
ACID compliance for data integrity.
Advanced indexing options.
Full-text search capabilities.
Compatibility with MySQL for seamless migration.
Clustrix Acquisition: In 2018, MariaDB acquired Clustrix to strengthen its distributed database capabilities.
Native vector search for unstructured data.
Enhanced JSON functionalities.
Optimized query execution leveraging modern hardware like SSDs.
The company fosters an inclusive culture that encourages creativity and teamwork.
Tens of millions of users worldwide across industries like banking (Deutsche Bank), telecommunications (Nokia), and government (U.S. Department of Defense).
