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Student ClubIndirect supportNo equityVerified

Rensselaer Center for Open Source

Also known as: RCOS

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Troy, NY

RCOS is a large student organization supporting development of open-source software projects, some of which evolve into startup ideas. Founded in 2007 with a $2M donation from Sean O'Sullivan '85 (MapInfo founder, also donor of the Change the World Challenge and RCOS seed funding). Part of the Computer Science Department. In Fall 2025, RCOS had 330 students working on 112 projects — cumulatively 6,680 students and 1,957 projects since founding.

The organization partners closely with the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship, and many RCOS projects have entered entrepreneurship competitions. RCOS is run as an open-source student organization where students define both the projects and operating structure.

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Quick fit check

  • Indirect support only
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

$0 – $0

Equity

None

Application

Semiannual

Campus Wide

Last activity

2025-12-31

High confidence

Application and Timing

Semester-based project registration. Students join existing projects or start new ones each semester.

Participants

RPI students interested in software development and open source. No formal prerequisites.

Funding and Equity

Indirect — project support rather than venture funding. Founded with $2M endowment from Sean O'Sullivan. Historical Red Hat grants (ended after IBM acquisition). No equity taken.

Recent Activity

  • Fall 2025: 330 students, 112 projects (record enrollment).
  • Spring 2025: Continued partnership with Severino Center; student projects entering entrepreneurship competitions.
  • Ongoing: Active GitHub organization (77 public repos, 41 followers).

Known Startups or Winners

  • Sheldon Jackson (2023) — Simplicity Tech Solutions, Soundscape project; won Nuvalence Builder Funds and Change the World Challenge funding.
  • Multiple RCOS alumni have founded software startups (specific names not comprehensively documented).
  • Historically strong pipeline into Severino Center competitions and Catalyst programs.

Verification Gaps

  • Specific startups founded by RCOS alumni in 2023-2026.
  • Current RCOS budget and funding sources.
  • Number of RCOS projects that have transitioned to Severino Center programs.

Rensselaer Center for Open Source

Additional research notesShow