Apache Petri

Apache Petri is a community-driven initiative by the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) designed to mentor external project communities that aspire to become official Apache projects. Named after the "petri dish" where cultures grow, Petri focuses on cultivating healthy, sustainable open-source communities by teaching them "The Apache Way"—a philosophy centered on meritocracy, transparency, and collaborative governance.

Features

• Mentorship for external communities aiming to join ASF
• Education on ASF policies and governance practices
• Guidance on building sustainable, meritocratic communities
• Mailing list-based mentoring and discussions
• Support for transitioning to Apache Top-Level Projects (TLPs)
• Alternative path to ASF membership outside the traditional Incubator

Capabilities

• Enables communities to learn and adopt ASF values and practices
• Facilitates direct-to-TLP transitions for mature projects
• Provides tailored mentorship without requiring initial ASF infrastructure
• Helps communities prepare for ASF Board recommendations
• Offers flexible engagement without rigid forms or intake processes
• Supports governance development and community health assessment

Benefits

• Accelerates onboarding of mature external projects into ASF
• Reduces overhead compared to traditional incubation
• Builds stronger, self-sustaining open-source communities
• Encourages transparency and collaboration from the outset
• Offers a personalized mentoring experience
• Promotes long-term success through community-first principles