Sidekiq
sidekiq.org
Open-core background job processing for Ruby, with paid Pro and Enterprise tiers.
MP
Mike Perham
Portland developer running Sidekiq solo, an open-core business in the millions
@getajobmike Portland, United StatesSingle-digit millions per y…Developer ToolsOpen Source MakersSaaS Founders
About Mike Perham
Mike Perham is an independent open-source developer in Portland, Oregon, and the founder and CEO of Contributed Systems, his company for building and supporting open-source application infrastructure. He has been writing software since 1993 and contributing to open source since 1995.
He is the creator of Sidekiq, the widely used Redis-backed background job system for Ruby. Sidekiq follows an open-core model: the base library is free and open source, while Sidekiq Pro and Sidekiq Enterprise add commercial features and support. He also makes Faktory, a language-agnostic background job server.
Perham is one of the best-known examples of a one-person software company at scale. On Startups for the Rest of Us he described running the business with no employees or contractors, about 2,000 customers, and annual revenue in the single-digit millions, which he characterized as closer to $10 million than $1 million. Outside of software he advocates for micromobility and greener cities.
Products by Mike Perham
Faktory
contribsys.com
Language-agnostic background job server.
Videos with Mike Perham
Mike Perham on Sidekiq, Solid Queue, and why he said no to AI
Podcastthoughtbot· 2026
Bootstrapping a SaaS to $7M solo with Mike Perham @Sidekiq
Podcastsaas group· 2024
Episode 661 | Millions in Revenue As a One-Person Software Compan...
PodcastStartups for the Rest of Us· 2023
Sidekiq in Practice: Mike Perham on Scaling Sidekiq
InterviewNate Berkopec· 2022
Sidekiq and Ruby (Interview)
InterviewChangelog· 2016
Interviews & press
- Sidekiq and Ruby with Mike Perham
The Changelog · Podcast
- 015 Mike Perham, creator of Sidekiq
Code with Jason · Podcast
- Sidekiq: Open Source, Business and the Future
Ruby Events · Profile
Revenue
Mike Perham has publicly reported Single-digit millions per year (self-reported) (as of 2023). Source
How Mike builds
- Open core: give the base away, sell the features businesses need.
- Stay a one-person company on purpose.
- Charge real prices to businesses that depend on your software.
Mike Perham FAQ
Who makes Sidekiq?
Sidekiq is made by Mike Perham through his company Contributed Systems, which he runs on his own.
How much does Sidekiq make?
Perham has said the business earns single-digit millions per year with about 2,000 customers and no employees.
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