Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) plays a vital role in modern innovation, enabling collaboration, transparency, and technological progress across industries and boundaries. In 2025, we continue our commitment to supporting Open Source projects and communities that deliver meaningful impact, both within our organization and across the broader ecosystem.
This year’s funding focuses on three complementary areas: scientific computing, transparent software development, and community building. Together, these initiatives reflect our belief that sustainable innovation thrives when open technologies and open communities are actively supported.
Empowering Scientific Computing with GNU Octave
GNU Octave is a powerful Open Source numerical computing environment designed for scientific computing, numerical analysis, and algorithm development. Widely recognized as a free alternative to MATLAB, Octave offers a high-level programming language for solving complex mathematical problems, visualizing data, and developing algorithms, while maintaining compatibility with MATLAB scripts.
By supporting GNU Octave, we help ensure that high-quality numerical computing tools remain accessible to engineers, researchers, and educators worldwide. Within the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology segment, GNU Octave is, for example, used in integration tests of mechatronic elements in systems such as AIMS demonstrating that Open Source tools can meet the demands of industrial-grade applications. Our contribution supports the continued development and sustainability of this important project.
Enhancing Software Transparency with ScanCode, an AboutCode Project
ScanCode is a leading Open Source toolkit that identifies the origin, licenses, and metadata of code in software projects. It plays a key role in enabling Open Source compliance and improving transparency across the software supply chain by automating the detection of licensing including copyright information and dependencies.
At ZEISS, ScanCode is used by the Open Source Program Office and development teams across multiple segments. By reliably identifying the underlying terms of use, it helps our teams to integrate and distribute Open Source components as part of our product offerings in a compliant way. Through our 2025 funding campaign, we are proud to support ScanCode’s mission and contribute to a more secure and sustainable software ecosystem.
Investing in Communities: IndiaFOSS 2025
We also expanded our engagement with the Open Source ecosystem by sponsoring a community-organized conference for the first time. As a Platinum Sponsor of IndiaFOSS 2025, we supported one of the region’s most influential FOSS events, bringing together developers, maintainers, and technology leaders.
Our involvement included a local delegation of developers and managers, direct exchanges with contributors, and a booth showcasing how Open Source is integral part to our software development practices. This initiative highlights our belief that strong local communities are essential to a healthy global Open Source ecosystem.
“FOSS India brought together brilliant minds pushing the boundaries of Open Source technologies. It was a valuable platform for learning, sharing, and building meaningful connections.” – Syed Hussain (Principle Architect – Cloud DevOps, ZEISS India)
Looking Ahead
Our 2025 funding commitments demonstrate a continued focus on impactful technologies, responsible software practices, and the communities that make Open Source shine. We remain committed to supporting Open Source initiatives through funding and long-term engagement, because innovation is strongest when it is built together, utilizing the unlimited power of global collaboration.
For more information on the background of our initiative, see our previous posts from 2025, 2024 and 2023.
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