Ubuntu Software has been operating in the IT industry since 1999 - five years before Ubuntu Linux was released.
Timeline
| Year | Ubuntu Software | Ubuntu Linux |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Ubuntu Software Design Limited incorporated (UK) | - |
| 2000 | Operating as IT consultancy | - |
| 2001 | Operating as IT consultancy | - |
| 2002 | Operating as IT consultancy | - |
| 2003 | Operating as IT consultancy | - |
| 2004 | Operating as IT consultancy | First release (October) |
| 2005-2012 | Continued operations | Growing popularity |
| 2012 | UK company voluntarily dissolved | - |
| 2012-2017 | Security Architect at ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) | - |
| 2017-2021 | Earth Observation systems for European Climate Foundation | - |
| 2024 | Relaunched as Ubuntu Software (Australia) | - |
UK Company Record (1999-2012)
Our original company was registered with UK Companies House:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Ubuntu Software Design Limited |
| Company Number | 03724740 |
| Incorporated | 3 March 1999 |
| Dissolved | 23 October 2012 |
| Business Activity | Information technology consultancy |
Director
Gerard Joseph Webb served as Director from 15 March 1999 until dissolution.
Official Records
All company records are publicly available from UK Companies House:
Document Archive
We maintain copies of key documents proving our company history:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Company Certificate (PDF) | Certificate of Incorporation |
| Company Certificate (Image) | Certificate scan |
| Annual Return 2012 | Shareholder list |
| Annual Return 2011 | Shareholder list |
| Annual Return 2010 | Shareholder list |
| Strike-off Application | Voluntary dissolution |
About the Name “Ubuntu”
“Ubuntu” is a Nguni Bantu term from Southern Africa, often translated as “I am because we are” or “humanity towards others.” It represents a philosophy of human interconnectedness.
We chose this name in 1999 because it reflects our belief in technology that serves humanity - building software that empowers people and communities.
ECDC Work (2012-2017)
Following the UK company dissolution, Gerard served as Security Architect at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm, Sweden.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 years (2012-2017) |
| Organization | European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control |
| Role | Security Architect |
| Location | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Focus | Security architecture for disease surveillance systems |
ECDC is an EU agency protecting over 500 million people from infectious diseases. The agency operates the European Surveillance System (TESSy), collecting and analyzing data on 52 communicable diseases from all EU member states. Gerard’s role as Security Architect involved protecting these critical public health information systems and ensuring secure data exchange between 27+ national health authorities.
Earth Observation Work (2017-2021)
Following ECDC, Gerard worked on Earth observation systems for the European Climate Foundation (ECF).
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years (2017-2021) |
| Organization | European Climate Foundation |
| Technical Lead | Tom Brookes (Executive Director, Strategic Communications) |
| Focus | Satellite data processing, remote sensing analysis |
| Technology | Golang, geospatial data pipelines |
| Reference | Work Reference Letter (PDF) |
Project Scope:
- Pollution monitoring and visualization
- Methane detection systems
- Atmospheric analysis tools
- Multi-source satellite data integration
This work applied the same spatial reasoning principles—processing geometry at scale—that later informed Ubuntu Software’s approach to 3D design and sensor fusion systems.
Current Operations (Australia)
Ubuntu Software now operates from Australia, continuing our mission of developing software tools that enhance productivity and respect user privacy.
Australian Business Registration
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Ubuntu Software |
| ABN | 95 595 575 880 |
| D-U-N-S Number | 891770992 |
| Registered | 2024 |
| Principal | Gerard Joseph Webb |
Official Records
- ABN Lookup - Australian Business Register
- ASIC Connect Online - Business name search (ID: 682774223)
- Business Name Registration (PDF) - ASIC registration certificate
D-U-N-S Verification
Our D-U-N-S® Number 891770992 was issued by illion, the official Dun & Bradstreet partner for Australia.
Verify: illion Company Express (search by ABN 95 595 575 880)
Focus Areas
- Local AI and privacy-preserving software
- Developer productivity tools
- Cross-platform mobile applications (iOS, Android)
- Open source contributions
For verification of our UK company history, please refer to Companies House. For Australian business details, see the ABN Lookup.