We're delighted to welcome Sylvain Zimmer, known widely as Sylvinus, to We Make Commons — a French engineer, open data advocate, and current CTO of La Suite Territoriale at the ANCT (Agence Nationale de la Cohésion des Territoires). His career embodies the transformative potential of open digital commons and public-sector innovation.
From open music to open innovation
Sylvain co-founded Jamendo, one of the earliest platforms for free and Creative Commons-licensed music, at a time when "open" business models for creative work were still largely experimental. Jamendo demonstrated that artists and creators could thrive outside traditional industry structures, paving the way for a new generation of open cultural projects.
Building shared infrastructure for public impact
Today, as CTO of La Suite Territoriale, built on top of LaSuite, Sylvain leads the development of a unified digital platform designed to simplify access to public services for local governments and citizens across France. This project reflects his long-standing commitment to breaking down silos and creating open, reusable tools that empower communities and public institutions.
Throughout his career, Sylvain has consistently focused on replacing fragmented, proprietary systems with shared, open infrastructure—whether in music, civic tech, or public administration.
Why this matters for We Make Commons
Sylvain's work exemplifies how commons-building can transform entire sectors. By designing open frameworks and standards, his projects enable a wide range of applications—from cultural platforms to essential public services—while fostering collaboration and innovation.
Welcome to We Make Commons, Sylvain. Your expertise in building open, scalable solutions is an inspiration, and we're thrilled to have you with us!