Twenty is a groundbreaking open-source CRM platform created to solve the persistent challenges of inflexible, costly, and proprietary customer relationship management software. Founded by experienced entrepreneurs Félix Malfait, Charles Bochet, and Thomas Colas des Francs—who previously built their own in-house CRMs out of necessity—Twenty aims to provide businesses with full control, customization, and transparency in managing customer data and workflows.

The project originated from the founders’ frustration with traditional CRMs like Salesforce, which often lock users into complex ecosystems with high costs and limited adaptability. Their vision was to build a modern, data-centric, AI-native CRM that is highly customizable and extendable, empowering companies to own their software end-to-end rather than being confined to off-the-shelf solutionsg. Launched publicly on Hacker News in July 2023, Twenty quickly gained traction as the leading open-source CRM by contributor activity, surpassing even established ecosystems such as Odoo.

Technically, Twenty is innovative in its open-source, modular architecture that encourages extensive community contributions and flexibility. It offers a developer-friendly interface, flexible data models, and automation tools that adapt to evolving workflows rather than forcing businesses to fit their processes into rigid softwareg. Its GPL-based licensing ensures users have full ownership and visibility into their CRM stack, a sharp contrast to proprietary platforms. The project also integrates AI capabilities to streamline operations and enhance user experience, positioning it as a next-generation CRM solution.

The community impact of Twenty has been remarkable. With over 280 active contributors in the last twelve months, it stands among the most vibrant open-source projects on GitHub, outpacing many well-known tech repositoriesg. This active community drives rapid development, bug fixes, feature additions, and helps tailor the platform to diverse industry needs. Backed by prominent investors and industry leaders—including executives from HubSpot, Front, and Pipedrive—Twenty is fostering a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates enterprise adoption and innovation.

For businesses, Twenty offers compelling advantages: significant cost savings compared to traditional CRMs, unparalleled customization to fit unique workflows, and freedom from vendor lock-in. Its open-source nature means companies can adapt the CRM to their exact needs, integrate it seamlessly with other tools, and innovate without restrictions. This flexibility is especially valuable for fast-growing teams and enterprises seeking to differentiate their customer management strategies.

Looking ahead, Twenty is focused on expanding its open-source community, enhancing product features, and increasing enterprise deployments. The founders envision it becoming a serious competitor to giants like Salesforce by continuously evolving its AI capabilities and deepening customization options. With secured seed funding of $5 million led by Runa Capital and high-profile industry support, Twenty is poised to redefine how businesses engage with CRM technology, making it more open, adaptable, and powerful for the future.