Matrix

Matrix.org is the custodian of the Matrix open standard, an open network for secure and decentralized real-time communication. The core team that created the protocol founded a company, initially named New Vector and now branded as Element, to drive the development and adoption of the Matrix ecosystem. The journey began when co-founders Matthew Hodgson and Amandine Le Pape, after years of experience in building real-time communication apps for other companies, decided to solve the problem of fragmented and siloed communication platforms. Their vision was to create a universal, interoperable layer for communication, much like how email works, allowing users on different services to seamlessly connect.

The company's business model revolves around providing products and services built on the open-source Matrix protocol. This includes Element, a flagship secure messaging and collaboration application that serves as an alternative to platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. Revenue is generated through Element Matrix Services, which offers managed hosting for Matrix servers, providing customers with dedicated, hassle-free environments for their communication infrastructure. Clients range from individual users and privacy-conscious communities to large enterprises and government bodies that require complete data ownership, sovereignty, and end-to-end encrypted communications. The decentralized nature of Matrix means organizations can run their own servers, ensuring no single entity controls the data, which is a key selling point for security-focused clients.

The core product, the Matrix protocol itself, allows for the creation of a global network where anyone can deploy their own server and communicate with any other user in the ecosystem. The Element application offers end-to-end encryption by default, group chats, file sharing, and voice/video calls. A significant feature is its ability to 'bridge' to other communication networks like Slack, IRC, and Telegram, allowing users to interact with people on those platforms from within Element. This interoperability is a central part of the company's value proposition, aiming to break down the walled gardens of modern communication. Strategic investment from companies like Automattic, the creator of WordPress, underscores the project's potential to become a fundamental communication layer for the open web.

Keywords: decentralized communication, open standard, real-time communication, secure messaging, collaboration platform, Element, New Vector, Matthew Hodgson, Amandine Le Pape, end-to-end encryption, federated communication, interoperability, communication protocol, Slack alternative, self-hosted, data sovereignty, open source, Matrix protocol, enterprise messaging, government communication