Hitchcock Brothers Launch SurrealDB to Simplify Database Management Across SaaS Systems
In response to challenges of scaling databases, Brothers Tobie Morgan Hitchcock and Jaime Morgan Hitchcock founded a startup in 2015 and pioneered SurrealDB, an innovative database architecture that accommodates multiple data models and facilitates deployment across diverse environments, including both cloud and on-premises setups. The primary objective of SurrealDB is to assist organizations in consolidating their databases, with a strong emphasis on providing simplified control over each facet of the database.
Constructed using the Rust programming language, SurrealDB offers functionalities akin to relational databases but with augmented security controls and meticulous access permissions management. Additionally, it incorporates Surrealist, a tool that empowers developers to visually manage databases without the need for coding.
Key Takeaways
- The Hitchcock brothers developed SurrealDB to simplify database management across various SaaS systems.
- SurrealDB, a multi-model database, consolidates multiple databases and enhances control over each aspect.
- The database, built in Rust, includes security controls and granular access permissions.
- SurrealDB's tool, Surrealist, enables visual database management without coding.
- SurrealDB raised $20 million to develop its product and expand sustainably, targeting cost-conscious organizations.
Analysis
The establishment of SurrealDB by the Hitchcock brothers directly addresses a crucial requirement within the SaaS industry for efficient database management, effectively reducing infrastructure complexity and developer workload. This innovative solution has the potential to disrupt traditional database offerings, thereby impacting companies such as Oracle and Microsoft that provide similar services. The substantial investment of $20 million showcases investor confidence in SurrealDB's capacity to streamline technology stacks, notably appealing to budget-conscious organizations. In the short term, these funds will expedite product development and recruitment, while in the long term, it could potentially redefine standards for database management, influencing how companies structure their IT infrastructure.
Did You Know?
- SurrealDB: A multi-model database developed by the Hitchcock brothers to address the challenges of managing scalable and performant databases in various SaaS systems. It supports multiple data models and can be deployed across different environments, including cloud and on-premises. Built using Rust, it offers enhanced security controls and granular access permissions, aiming to consolidate databases and simplify their management.
- Rust Programming Language: Rust is a systems programming language combining strong compile-time correctness guarantees with fast performance. It is designed to prevent segfaults and guarantee thread safety, making it a robust choice for building secure and efficient systems software. In the context of SurrealDB, Rust provides a stable and secure foundation for handling complex database operations.
- Surrealist: A tool included with SurrealDB that allows developers to manage databases visually without the need for coding. This graphical interface simplifies the process of database management, making it more accessible to users who may not have extensive programming skills. Surrealist enhances the usability of SurrealDB by providing a user-friendly way to interact with and manipulate database structures and data.