# Canonical Ltd.

> London-based software company, developer of Ubuntu

**Wikidata**: [Q39064](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39064)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_(company))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/canonical-ltd

## Summary
Canonical Ltd. is a London-based software company founded in 2004 that serves as the primary developer of the Ubuntu operating system. Operating within the software industry, the company employs approximately 1,175 people and manages a wide array of open-source software projects and services. It is recognized for its contributions to enterprise computing, cloud infrastructure, and the promotion of open-source technology.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** March 5, 2004
- **Headquarters:** London, United Kingdom
- **Employees:** 1,175
- **Primary Product:** Ubuntu operating system (first released October 20, 2004)
- **Industry:** Software development and enterprise
- **Website:** https://www.canonical.com/
- **Key People:** Mark Shuttleworth (Founder), Jane Silber, Allison Randal, Jono Bacon
- **Major Affiliations:** Linux Foundation, OpenPOWER Foundation
- **Notable Projects:** Launchpad, Mir, Juju, Ubuntu Touch, Ubuntu One
- **Subsidiaries/Trusts:** Ubuntu Foundation (inception July 1, 2005)

## FAQs
**Who founded Canonical Ltd.?**
Mark Shuttleworth, a South African entrepreneur and the second self-funded visitor to the International Space Station, founded the company.

**What is Canonical Ltd. best known for?**
The company is best known for developing the Ubuntu operating system, a popular Linux distribution used for desktops, servers, and cloud environments.

**Where is Canonical Ltd. located?**
Canonical is headquartered in London, the capital and largest city of the United Kingdom.

**What other software tools has Canonical created?**
Canonical has developed numerous tools including Launchpad (a software forge), Mir (display server software), Juju (service orchestration), and Upstart (an init daemon replacement).

**Is Canonical involved in any open-source consortiums?**
Yes, the company is affiliated with the Linux Foundation, a non-profit technology consortium, and the OpenPOWER Foundation.

## Why It Matters
Canonical Ltd. holds a significant position in the technology sector as the commercial steward of Ubuntu, one of the most widely used Linux distributions in the world. By providing a free, open-source operating system, the company has democratized access to high-quality software for individuals, enterprises, and developers. Its development of tools like Launchpad and contributions to the Linux kernel and ecosystem facilitate global collaboration in software development. Furthermore, Canonical's focus on cloud computing and IoT through projects like Juju and Ubuntu Touch helps drive innovation in emerging technology markets.

## Notable For
- Developing Ubuntu, which has a high sitelink count (181) indicating widespread usage and documentation.
- Establishing the Ubuntu Foundation to ensure the long-term support and independence of the Ubuntu project.
- Creating Launchpad, a comprehensive software forge that integrates code hosting, bug tracking, and translation.
- Employing Mark Shuttleworth, a notable figure who is both a software developer and a private astronaut.
- Developing specialized Ubuntu variants such as Ubuntu Studio, Xubuntu, and Ubuntu Netbook Edition to cater to different user needs.
- Innovating in the mobile space with projects like Ubuntu Touch, Ubuntu Edge, and Ubuntu for Android.

## Body

### Corporate Overview
Canonical Ltd. is a software company classified as a business and enterprise organization. It was established on March 5, 2004, and is currently headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company operates within the software industry, focusing on the development, maintenance, and publication of software. With a workforce of 1,175 employees, Canonical has grown to become a significant player in the open-source community. The company's website serves as a primary hub for its software distributions and commercial services.

### Ubuntu Operating System and Derivatives
The centerpiece of Canonical's portfolio is the Ubuntu operating system, a non-tangible executable component of a computer. Ubuntu was first released on October 20, 2004. To support the project's longevity, Canonical established the Ubuntu Foundation on July 1, 2005, a trust associated with the software.

Canonical has developed numerous derivatives and specialized editions of Ubuntu, including:
*   **Xubuntu:** A Linux distribution based on Ubuntu that utilizes the Xfce desktop environment (inception: June 23, 2006).
*   **Ubuntu GNOME:** A variant featuring the GNOME desktop environment (inception: October 18, 2012).
*   **Ubuntu Studio:** A distribution tailored for multimedia creation.
*   **Ubuntu Netbook Edition:** A version specifically designed for netbook devices.
*   **Gobuntu:** A Linux distribution focused on free software principles.
*   **JeOS:** A lightweight Linux distribution.

The company has also expanded into the mobile and smart device markets with various platforms:
*   **Ubuntu Touch:** A mobile interface for Ubuntu (inception: February 21, 2013), now developed by UBports.
*   **Ubuntu Edge:** A planned mobile phone operating system.
*   **Ubuntu Mobile:** A planned mobile platform distinct from the 2013 mobile OS announcement.
*   **Ubuntu TV:** A multimedia operating system.
*   **Ubuntu for Android:** A version of Ubuntu designed for Android devices.

### Software Development and Tools
Beyond operating systems, Canonical has created and maintains a vast array of software tools and libraries. According to source data, these include:
*   **Launchpad:** A software forge (inception: January 2004) used for code hosting and collaboration.
*   **Mir:** Display server software (inception: February 14, 2013).
*   **Juju:** An open-source service orchestration management tool.
*   **Upstart:** A former event-based replacement for the traditional init daemon.
*   **GNU Bazaar:** A distributed version control system (inception: March 26, 2005).
*   **Storm:** A software programming library for Python.
*   **Usplash:** Start-up boot display software.
*   **Uncomplicated Firewall:** A simplified netfilter interface.
*   **Ubuntu One:** A former Single Sign-On and file hosting service (inception: May 13, 2009).
*   **Ubuntu Single Sign On:** An authentication service.
*   **AppArmor:** A Linux kernel security module.
*   **GLib:** A software library.
*   **S8:** An entity listed in the source data (inception: October 29, 2009).

The company also operates Ask Ubuntu, a Stack Exchange site for Ubuntu users and developers, which launched in 2010.

### Key Personnel
Canonical is associated with several influential figures in the technology and open-source sectors:
*   **Mark Shuttleworth:** A South African and British entrepreneur, born September 18, 1973. He is the second self-funded visitor to the International Space Station and has occupations ranging from astronaut and engineer to computer scientist and software developer.
*   **Jane Silber:** An American businesswoman who has held leadership roles within the organization.
*   **Allison Randal:** A computer writer, author, and computer scientist born in 1950. She is a United States citizen with occupations including engineer, programmer, and businessperson.
*   **Jono Bacon:** A British writer, software engineer, and journalist born September 17, 1979. He is also a musician and guitarist.

### Organizational Affiliations
Canonical Ltd. is an active member of the broader technology ecosystem through its affiliations with major industry organizations:
*   **Linux Foundation:** A non-profit technology consortium founded on January 22, 2007, dedicated to the development of Linux and open-source software.
*   **OpenPOWER Foundation:** An organization founded in 2013 focused on open server architecture.

## References

1. [Companies House](https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/06870835)
2. [Source](https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/companies)
3. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q810330)
4. [Source](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/membership/members/)
5. [Source](https://cve.mitre.org/cve/request_id.html#cna_participants)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://canonical.com/)
8. National Software Reference Library
9. [Source](https://www.phoronix.com/news/Canonical-2024-Annual-Report)
10. [Crunchbase](http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/canonical-ltd)
11. [Source](https://www.canonical.com/)
12. [Source](http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=24359256)
13. [Source](http://www.vat-lookup.co.uk/verify/vat_check.php/VATNumber/GB003232247)
14. YouTube API