Sparrow is a lightweight C++20 idiomatic implementation of the Apache Arrow memory specification. Designed for compatibility with the Arrow C data interface, Sparrow enables seamless data exchange with other libraries supporting the Arrow format. It also offers high-level APIs, ensuring interoperability with standard modern C++ algorithms.

Challenges in economics and governance models for open-source scientific projects

In this presentation, the CEOs of two companies at the forefront of open-source scientific software development - Sylvain Corlay of QuantStack and Yann Lechelle of Probabl - examine the intricate challenges of open-source funding and governance and reflect on how these two aspects interconnect.

We start by reflecting on the origins of the open-source movement within the scientific community, and delve into the contemporary challenges of operating businesses and identifying sustainable economic models that both leverage and contribute to open-source software.

In particular, we highlight the unique approaches and experiences of QuantStack and Probabl, which primarily contribute to multi-stakeholder scientific projects such as scikit-learn, Jupyter, Apache Arrow, or conda-forge.

Four years ago, I had no idea what PyArrow was—or how open source development worked. But through mentorship, collaboration, and learning in public, I found not just a place in the community, but a sense of how open source evolves and connects.

In this keynote, I’ll share my experience on how complex projects like Apache Arrow evolve through shared protocols, cross-project conversations, and the people behind them. Along the way, we’ll look at the human side of technical work, the quiet strength of standards, and how imposter syndrome, while uncomfortable, has sharpened my curiosity and helped me find my own way of contributing.