Linux Foundation Welcomes Frank Nagle as Its New Advising Chief Economist to Boost Open Source Initiatives

Linux Foundation Introduces Frank Nagle as the New Advising Chief Economist

On May 20, 2025, the Linux Foundation, a pivotal nonprofit organization that propels mass innovation through open source software, made an exciting announcement about the appointment of Frank Nagle as Advising Chief Economist. In this role, Nagle is set to spearhead research projects directed at understanding the economic impact of open source software (OSS), while illuminating significant areas of value creation and innovation within the open source community.

Driving Insights into Open Source Value

With a profound background in research and analysis, Nagle aims to build upon current research while exploring fresh avenues to uncover the financial, societal, and innovative repercussions of OSS. His vision includes leading initiatives to gauge the economic influence of OSS in burgeoning fields, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), and to create frameworks that will foster growth among commercial OSS startups.

As he states, "The data gathered so far suggests we are only just beginning to understand the full economic and societal value of open source software. As Advising Chief Economist at the Linux Foundation, my focus will be on expanding the open source market position through partnerships, research and advocacy, particularly in the area of open source AI."

A Foundation Built on Research and Contributions

Nagle is not a stranger to the world of research and innovation. Currently serving as an assistant professor within the Strategy Unit at Harvard Business School, his expertise encompasses a diverse array of subjects, including the future of work, the economic dynamics of information technology (IT), and digital transformation, identifying novel pathways for economic growth fueled by technology. Nagle’s notable contributions include co-authoring the influential paper titled "The Value of Open Source Software," which indicated that in the absence of OSS, the global economy would incur software expenses that are 3.5 times higher—equating to nearly $9 trillion in lost value. His research has demonstrated that enterprises that actively contribute to OSS experience productivity improvements double those who do not.

Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, commented on the significance of Nagle’s appointment, stating, "At the Linux Foundation, we're working to solve the hardest technology problems through the largest shared technology investment—one that is rapidly evolving with the emergence of open source AI. Frank has been a leading voice in quantifying the value of open source, and his work will guide us in determining the future trajectory of OSS, the requirements of our communities for sustainable growth, and how companies can leverage open source for substantial benefits."

Recognizing Nagle’s Accomplished Background

Frank Nagle's research has gained recognition in prominent publications like Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, and Brookings Institution TechStream, and appears in various leading academic journals. He plays an advisory role to numerous startups within the data and analytics arena, serves on boards for Nexleaf Analytics and Alphamatician, and acts as a policy advisor to international organizations, including the U.N. and the OECD.

Holding a doctorate in Technology and Operations Management from Harvard Business School, Nagle also has a Master’s degree in International Business Economics from the City University of London, alongside M.S. and B.S. degrees in Computer Science and International Affairs from Georgetown University.

Linux Foundation’s Mission and Vision

The Linux Foundation stands at the forefront of collaboration on open source software, hardware, standards, and data. Its projects are integral to global infrastructure, including technologies like Linux, Kubernetes, and PyTorch. Through best practices and understanding the needs of its contributors, users, and solution providers, the Linux Foundation strives to create sustainable models for open collaboration, ensuring a thriving ecosystem for open source initiatives.

For additional details about the Linux Foundation and its groundbreaking initiatives, visit linuxfoundation.org.