The Hired CEO with Founder Mode | Marten Mickos (MySQL, HackerOne)
In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Marten Mickos, a serial tech CEO who has been at the forefront of some of the most transformative moments in open-source technology. From leading MySQL through its groundbreaking journey to guiding HackerOne as a pioneering bug bounty platform, Marten's career is a masterclass in building innovative, trust-driven organizations.
Our wide-ranging conversation explores Marten's remarkable journey through tech leadership, touching on his experiences building game-changing companies and, more recently, his work coaching emerging CEOs. We dive deep into the world of open source, company culture, and the nuanced art of leadership.
In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics:
• How MySQL revolutionized open-source databases and became Facebook’s database
• The strategic decision to make MySQL open source and leverage Linux distributions
• The art of building a beloved open-source project while creating a profitable business model
• How a lawsuit solidified MySQL's position in the open-source database market
• The role of transparency and direct feedback in building organizational trust
• Why Marten was drawn to HackerOne's disruptive approach to cybersecurity
• Marten’s transition to coaching new CEOs
• Marten’s unique "contrast framework" for making complex decisions
• And much more!
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Where to find Marten Mickos:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martenmickos/
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/
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Where to find Eric:
• Newsletter:https://ericries.carrd.co/
• Podcast:https://ericriesshow.com/
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@theericriesshow
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In This Episode We Cover:
(00:00) Intro
(03:15) The first time Eric used MySQL
(07:10) The origins of MySQL and how Marten got involved
(13:22) Why MySQL pivoted to open source to leverage the power of Linux distros
(17:03) Open source vs. closed
(18:56) Building profitable open-source companies
(24:52) The fearless company culture at MySQL and the Progress lawsuit
(29:30) The value of not cutting any corners
(33:35) How a dolphin became part of the MySQL logo
(35:55) What it was like to build a company of true believers
(38:47) Marten’s management approach emphasizes kindness and direct feedback
(42:12) Marten’s hiring philosophy
(45:14) Why MySQL sold to Sun Microsystems and tried to avoid Oracle
(50:24) How Oracle has made MySQL even better
(52:22) Why Marten decided to lead at HackerOne
(55:41) An overview of HackerOne
(59:31) How HackerOne got started and landed the Department of Defense contract
(1:03:19) The trust-building power of transparency
(1:08:30) Marten’s successor and the state of HackerOne now
(1:09:23) Marten’s work coaching CEOs
(1:14:20) Common issues CEOs struggle with
(1:16:45) Marten’s contrast framework
(1:26:12) The book of Finnish poetry that inspired Marten’s love of polarities
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Referenced:
- MySQL: https://www.mysql.com/
- Sun to fork out $1 billion for open-source firm MySQL: https://www.cnet.com/culture/sun-to-fork-out-1-billion-for-open-source-firm-mysql/
- HackerOne: https://www.hackerone.com/
- Execs Divided Over Oracle’s Acquisition Of MySQL: https://www.silicon.co.uk/data-storage/execs-divided-over-oracles-acquisition-of-mysql-3218
- Oracle: https://www.oracle.com/
- Mark Zuckerberg on X: https://x.com/finkd
- David Axmark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidaxmark/
- Monty Widenius on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/montywi/
- RedHat: https://www.redhat.com/
- OpenSuse: https://www.opensuse.org/
- Postgres: https://www.postgresql.org/
- Slashdot: https://slashdot.org/
- The SCO vs. Linux Saga: 20 Years of Open-Source Turmoil: https://opensourcewatch.beehiiv.com/p/sco-vs-linux-saga-20-years-opensource-turmoil
- MySQL suffers setback in Progress lawsuit: https://www.information-age.com/mysql-suffers-setback-in-progress-lawsuit-24206/
- MySQL, NuSphere Settle GPL Contract Dispute: https://www.theregister.com/2002/11/21/mysql_nusphere_settle_gpl_contract/
- Sun Microsystems: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Microsystems
- Oracle buys Sun, becomes hardware company: https://www.cnet.com/culture/oracle-buys-sun-becomes-hardware-company/
- Heatwave MySQL: https://www.oracle.com/mysql/
- Slack: https://slack.com/
- Netscape: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netscape
- Eye of Sauron: https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Eye_of_Sauron
- Hack the Pentagon: https://www.hackerone.com/events/hack-the-pentagon
- Kara Sprague on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksprague08/
- Julia Mossbridge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-mossbridge/
- Navigating Polarities: Using Both/And Thinking to Lead Transformation: https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Polarities-Using-Thinking-Transformation/dp/1733382836
- Out of the Crisis #7, Brian Chesky Part 1: running Airbnb in crisis mode, being multi-stakeholder, and re-founding the company: https://www.startuplessonslearned.com/2020/06/out-of-crisis-7-brian-chesky-part-1.html
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Production and marketing by https://penname.co/.
Eric may be an investor in the companies discussed.
