At WordCamp US 2024, Matt Mullenweg, founder of Automattic, openly criticized WP Engine and its investor, Silver Lake, for contributing too little to WordPress development. Mullenweg highlighted the stark contrast, noting WP Engine’s 40-hour weekly contribution compared to Automattic’s 3,915 hours, and urged customers to rethink their contracts.

The response was divided. Supporters felt Mullenweg raised valid concerns about private equity benefiting from WordPress without significant involvement in the open-source project. They argued that WP Engine’s practices threaten the collaborative spirit that powers WordPress.

However, critics believed Mullenweg’s public rebuke at a community-focused event was inappropriate. They also pointed out a potential conflict of interest since Automattic competes with WP Engine in the hosting space. Others questioned why Mullenweg accepted WP Engine’s sponsorship for WordCamp while criticizing the company.

This debate touches on broader issues: Should companies profiting from open-source platforms like WordPress contribute more? And how should these business practices align with the open-source community’s values? The incident has prompted a deeper conversation about the future of WordPress and the roles companies should play in sustaining its growth.