The people who will pay for your database are going to pay for it right away. They're not going to "scale up" and then pay for it. Just ask Docker. There's tho

The people who will pay for your database are going to pay for it right away. They're not going to "scale up" and then pay for it. Just ask Docker. There's thousands of companies using Docker Desktop that should be paying for it but aren't. Same for most other Open Source companies with business licenses. Because they set themselves up as an "open source" company, all the villagers revolt when you finally ask to get paid, or stop allowing competitors to steal your lunch. You can survive, but it's very hard, and eventually they die away. (But that's also because most software gets replaced after a decade) You have to treat your business as a business first and foremost if you want to remain profitable and competitive. You can use Open Source for your business, but you will not survive for long if you're hoping people will pay you just because they can read your code. Eventually reality, and competitors, come knocking.