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# Michael "Monty" Widenius
Creator of MySQL and CTO at MariaDB

## About

Michael "Monty" Widenius wrote the original code for MySQL and co-founded MariaDB. He builds foundational open-source database technologies used across the web.

Currently the CTO at MariaDB, he previously co-founded SkySQL and led MySQL engineering until its sale to Sun Microsystems. He speaks on the practical realities of open-source development, sharing playbooks for building successful products on open foundations.

Based in Finland, he studied at the Helsinki University of Technology.



## Past Sessions

### World Congress 2026 Europe · July 8, 2026
Berlin, Germany
- [Building on Open Source: The New Product Playbook](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100031-building-on-open-source-the-new-product-playbook) · 30 min · 🎥 Watch recording



## Videos

- [Building on Open Source: The New Product Playbook](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100031-building-on-open-source-the-new-product-playbook) · Cédric Gégout, Dana Lawson, Michael "Monty" Widenius, Sebastian Kister, Ignacio Riesgo