21 Benefits of Open Source

People across a wide range of industries -- from technology to television and even fashion -- are beginning to recognize the advantages of open source strategies in an online environment. These carefully curated speeches focus on the benefits of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding to which many people were once resistant.

Joe Gebbia, the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of the travel booking start-up website Airbnb, explains how consumers are more empowered than ever before to take part in the development of a business. Using Airbnb as an example, he shows how consumers can play a pivotal role in the final outcome of a product or service. He reveals that without the input from millions of people all around the world, the site would never have a chance of looking what it looks like today.

Kay Koplotivz focuses on crowdfunding in her talk, describing it as a "wonderful democratization of capital." While many suggest that crowdfunding threatens businesses, she argues that it offers people opportunities they otherwise could not have had strangers not be been able to donate or contribute money to their cause.

The benefits of open source strategies in business today will only increase as online communication continues to become the norm for many members of society.