I’m a juuuuge GitHub supporter, but let me provide a different perspective: In business, there is product innovation and there is also business innovation.
Sometimes, you provide exactly the same product, but the way in which you do business around that product is the innovation. For example, a 100% open-source implementation of the JVM needn’t provide any technical innovation whatsoever: The innovations are in how it’s developed and how it’s licensed.
I won’t speak to whether GitLab is providing any business innovation or not, I’m just pointing out that if they are, that’s something of value in its own right.
Sometimes, you provide exactly the same product, but the way in which you do business around that product is the innovation. For example, a 100% open-source implementation of the JVM needn’t provide any technical innovation whatsoever: The innovations are in how it’s developed and how it’s licensed.
I won’t speak to whether GitLab is providing any business innovation or not, I’m just pointing out that if they are, that’s something of value in its own right.