Why The Future of Enterprise Search is Open Source with Onyx

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, enterprises are inundated with an overwhelming amount of internal data—from project documents to customer orders. As executives and senior managers know all too well, the ability to swiftly access relevant information is pivotal for making informed decisions. Onyx, a San Francisco-based company, is stepping into this challenge with a robust open source solution designed to transform how organizations search for internal knowledge.

A New Era for Internal Search Tools

With options such as Glean, armed with enormous venture backing, competing aggressively in the marketplace, Onyx distinguishes itself through its open source model. This strategic choice not only accelerates the software’s deployment—companies can be operational in as little as 30 minutes—but also enhances user adaptability across over 40 internal data sources, including popular platforms like Salesforce and Google Drive. By enabling teams to set up Onyx quickly, companies can prioritize productivity and focus on core business functions that drive growth.

Proven Experience and Ground-Up Development

Founders Chris Weaver and Yuhong Sun leveraged their previous entrepreneurial experiences and technical backgrounds to create Onyx. Their essential insight—that their past frustrations navigating internal data specifically for engineering roles represented a broader struggle—shaped the innovative spirit behind Onyx's design. Weaver reflected, “We knew where things were roughly, but it was still kind of hard... it felt like there had to be a better way.”

This problem-driven approach led to their previous venture, originally dubbed Danswer, to pivot into what we now see as Onyx. With foundational advancements in AI technologies, their tool began as a free open source project in 2023, rapidly gaining traction and positive feedback. Notably, the early interest from teams like Ramp affirmed their belief in the market’s appetite for a tool that simplifies the search process.

The Benefits of Open Source

The rationale for embracing an open source model has shown significant promise. As Sun noted, it circumvents the sometimes tedious enterprise sales processes that can stifle innovation and adoption. “Open source is really the only way for this type of solution to scale out and get the momentum into every single business,” he argued. Enterprises like Netflix and Thales Group have since turned to Onyx, appreciating the ability to experiment freely before making financial commitments.

Moreover, the company is witnessing impressive user engagement, achieving over 160,000 messages in just a week. This explosive use cases indicate a growing demand for streamlined internal communications fostered by efficient search tools—an essential component of team productivity.

Facing Competition and Challenges Head-On

While Onyx has positioned itself well with its open source model, the enterprise search landscape is fiercely competitive. Solutions like Klarna’s internal search tool, Kiki, show that established players are also heavily investing in customized internal tools. However, Onyx has been cultivated to be a foundational resource for companies seeking to create tailored internal search products more easily.

Weaver emphasizes, “Starting an internal search tool from scratch is really hard,” suggesting that Onyx serves as a trampoline for organizations looking to leap into building their own search functionalities, capturing a significant share of the market by leveraging community contributions and enhancements.

Funding the Future

The confidence investors have in Onyx reflects the company’s solid groundwork, recently capturing a $10 million seed round spearheaded by Khosla Ventures and First Round Capital. Funds will be allocated towards hiring talent and enhancing premium features to further solidify Onyx’s competitive edge.

As organizations continue to grapple with data silos and information overload, Onyx’s open source solution could well be the key to a new paradigm in enterprise search—one where collaboration, transparency, and adaptability reign supreme. By democratizing access to crucial internal knowledge, they are not just offering a product but spearheading a movement towards more intelligent enterprise solutions.