Introduction
00:00:00
Elisabetta Mori introduces the Free and Open Source Stories Digital Archive Foundation (FOSSDA) and herself as a historian of computing interviewing Larry Augustin, an entrepreneur, investor, and important figure in the open software movement.
Background and Early Life
00:01:04
Larry Augustin describes his early life in Dayton, Ohio, where he grew up in a family with a farming and military background. He discusses how his upbringing and his father's influence led him to pursue a career in engineering, particularly influenced by summers spent working on the family farm.
Influential People and Education
00:03:13
Augustin reflects on the influential figures in his early life, including his parents and teachers, and discusses his educational journey through public schools and eventually the University of Notre Dame, where he studied electrical engineering.
Early Academic and Professional Experiences
00:05:14
Larry shares his initial experiences with computers and programming during high school and college, including his early interactions with COBOL programming and his involvement in setting up the first personal computer lab at Notre Dame.
Advanced Education and Early Career
00:06:35
Discussing his postgraduate journey, Larry talks about receiving a fellowship from Bell Labs, moving to Stanford for his master's degree, and his work in electronic design automation, which led to a significant contribution in re-microcoding.
Transition to Entrepreneurship
00:09:41
Augustin describes the transition from academia to entrepreneurship, founding VA Research (later VA Linux), and the evolution of his business from a side project to a major player in the technology sector.
Involvement with Linux and Open Source
00:15:22
Larry details his introduction to Linux and the open source movement, his early contributions to system administration at Stanford, and the beginnings of his company's shift towards supporting Linux systems.
VA Research and the Birth of VA Linux
00:29:12
The discussion covers the origins of VA Linux, the choice of company name, and the growth of the business through the late 1990s, including the creation of SourceForge.
Challenges and Growth
00:32:37
Larry talks about the challenges faced while scaling VA Linux, the decision to focus full-time on the venture, and partnerships that helped sustain the business.
VA Linux IPO and the Tech Boom
00:46:30
Augustin recalls the VA Linux initial public offering (IPO) in 1999, which was one of the most successful in history, and discusses the impact of the tech boom on his company.
Personal Reflections and Future Directions
00:59:35
Larry shares personal stories from his career, including his first meeting with Linus Torvalds, and discusses his thoughts on the future of open source and his current role in the tech community.
Career Transition to Venture Capital and Angel Investing
01:17:34
Discussing his move from CEO to venture capital, Larry explains his motivations and experiences in supporting new startups and the impact of open source software on the business landscape.
Reflections on Leadership and Legacy
01:26:58
Augustin reflects on his leadership at SugarCRM, his tenure there, and the company's growth under his direction, followed by his move to Amazon Web Services and subsequent return to angel investing.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
01:39:02
Larry provides advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and reflects on the importance of pursuing passions and learning from experiences.