Open Source Weblog

Linux-based email and collaboration server software vendor PostPath started things off with a $15m Series C funding round to expand the marketing of its alternative to Microsoft’s Exchange.

Formerly known as Apptran Software, it became PostPath as it emerged from stealth mode in May 2006 with its PostPath Server email and collaboration server software, which is based on open source components such as the Linux operating system, Samba file and print services, Postfix mail transfer agent, and the open source AJAX web client developed by Zimbra, as well as a proprietary core.

Next up was Linux appliance specialist rPath, which raised $9.1m in Series B funding to build on what Billy Marshall, founder and CEO of the said was exploding interest in software appliances.

Systems management software vendor GroundWork Open Source announced that it has raised $12.5m in Series C funding, adding SAP Ventures and JAFCO Ventures existing investors Canaan Partners and Mayfield Fund.

On the same day Greenplum announced a $15m round of financing led by Sierra Ventures, while it also managed to extend a $4m line of credit from Comercia Bank and announced the appointment of a new CEO. Bill Cook officially took over at the helm last November. He came on board from Linux server start-up Penguin Computing.

The latest deal to be announced came from Fonality, which added Intel Capital to its list of investors with $7 million in a Series C funding, which it will invest in its own PBxtra technology as well as the trixbox open source community it acquired in October 2006.

*I previously reported a 131% increase in deal value in 2006 based on figures that were available to me at the time. Having spent the week before Christmas checking and double-checking numbers it now appears that I underestimated the value of deals done the previous year. There was still considerable growth, but not as much as the preliminary numbers suggested. Stay tuned for a major update on that in the magazine and online later this month.