Imagine today’s software world as a dense, impenetrable jungle. Giant, monolithic fortresses tower into the sky like temple ruins – the ecosystems of large corporations. They promise security and progress, but those who pass through their golden gates often find themselves in a labyrinth of dependencies.

We, Andreas and Björn, have wandered through this jungle for years. We have seen the most creative pioneers and brilliant developers get caught in the thorny vines of unnecessary complexity or lose their freedom in the golden cages of vendor lock-in.

We saw how their tools, which were supposed to serve them, became shackles. Every line of code seemed to bind them deeper to a single ruler. The air grew thin for creativity, and the call for true sovereignty faded into the dense canopy of the cloud giants. At countless campfires, in the midst of grueling projects, we shared the same frustration and the same dream: What if we had a machete to carve our own path? What if we could draw a map that showed everyone the way to free territory?

This dream became our rebellion. We were tired of watching the digital world being divided into impregnable fortresses. Our rebellion needed weapons – not of steel, but of code. Our weapons are the principles in which we firmly believe:

• Open source is our common language. It is the open fire where everyone can gather, share their knowledge, and grow stronger together, instead of fighting alone in the dark.

• Open standards are our secret paths. They connect the most remote corners of the jungle and bypass the high walls of the corporations. They guarantee that no one is isolated.

• Software sovereignty is our declaration of independence. It is the right to set up your own camp wherever you want – whether on a mountain (on-premise), by a distant river (edge), or in the vastness of the cloud – without having to ask a feudal lord for permission.

From this rebellion, we forged uubato. uubato is not just a company. It is our tool smithy. It is the machete that cuts through complexity with a clean slice. It is the compass that helps developers find the simplest and most direct path to their goal. It is the toolkit with which everyone can build their own free and stable hut, instead of having to live in the prefabricated temples of the giants.

We are two freedom fighters who have set out to clear the jungle. To lead this rebellion, another revolutionary fighter, Mirko Pawlak, is taking over as CEO. He joins us to fight for our common cause and help reclaim our digital freedom. And uubato is our call to all other pioneers, explorers, and rebels out there: Stop struggling through the thicket. Take our tools, clear your own path, and help us create an open, sovereign, and free territory for all. The digital world belongs to all of us. Let’s take it back.