Open-core companies are thriving due to their commitment to excellence, driven by the goal of creating superior alternatives to proprietary technologies and making them widely accessible. This approach encourages engineers to address personal problems by developing better solutions, often leading to open-source releases that rival well-funded competitors. The open-core model thrives on the passion of product-obsessed founders who prioritize building exceptional products over aggressive sales strategies. While the future of this trend remains uncertain, the emphasis on excellence and user service is seen as vital for sustained success. As Heather Meeker aptly states, adoption is driven by the quality of the software rather than its licensing, underscoring the importance of product excellence in the open-core landscape.