Read this SkySQL-MariaDB merger: What should you expect? How will the planned merger between MariaDB creator Monty Program DB and support firm SkySQL strengthen the hand of the open-source fork in the wider MySQL world? We talk to the new company's CEO. Read More

Software and services firm SkySQL says it will use a $20m investment to establish MariaDB as the leading open-source database.

A group of investment companies, led by Intel venture arm Intel Capital, has put up $20m in series B funding to help the MariaDB open-source project serve its expanding user base.

Finland-based SkySQL describes MariaDB adoption as 'explosive' and high-profile users include large-scale internet organisations Google and Wikipedia.

In April, SkySQL merged with Monty Program, the organisation behind MariaDB, reuniting key figures in the development of MySQL, acquired by Sun Microsystems in 2008 for $1bn, which was then bought by Oracle for $7.4bn in 2010.

By that point some of the database's original creators, including the principal creator of MySQL, Monty Widenius, had already left to produce the MariaDB fork while others formed the SkySQL support firm in 2010.

SkySQL CEO Patrik Sallner said the new funds will be put to increasing the company's contribution to the MariaDB project "to make it the world's premier open-source database".

He said specific areas of investment will include improved replication, scalability, NoSQL interoperability and GIS and location features.

"We'll also promote MariaDB adoption in key Linux distros as well as the main SaaS, PaaS and IaaS providers. In addition, we'll deliver commercial solutions that make it even easier for enterprises of any size to run MariaDB databases at scale," Sallner said.

"As we've seen recently, demand for MariaDB is high and we owe it to our customers to match their expectations with world-class technology."

Along with Intel Capital, the other organisations investing in SkySQL are California Technology Ventures, Finnish Industry Investment, Open Ocean Capital and Spintop Private Partners.

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