Investor Pitch Deck – May 2025
Market Opportunity
- Windows 10 End-of-Life – Microsoft ends support on Oct 14, 2025, leaving millions without security updates.
- Massive User Base – Over half of Windows desktops still run Windows 10 as of 2025 – hundreds of millions of users.
- Upgrade Roadblock – ~43% of existing PCs can’t run Windows 11 due to strict hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, new CPUs). These perfectly good PCs risk abandonment.
- Windows 11 Backlash – Users complain of bloatware and intrusive ads in Windows 11, forced online accounts/AI features, and a confusing new UI.
- Urgent Need – A familiar, efficient alternative is in demand to absorb users leaving Windows – without requiring new hardware or retraining.
Why AnduinOS?
- What it is: An Ubuntu-based Linux OS that looks and feels like Windows 11 – minimizing the learning curve for switchers.
- Familiar Experience – Centered taskbar, Start menu, and design cues mimic Windows 11’s aesthetics, providing instant comfort to Windows users.
- Vision/Mission – “Make Linux accessible to mainstream PC users.” AnduinOS bridges the gap by combining Windows familiarity with Linux’s openness and performance.
- Creator Background – Developed by Anduin Xue, a Microsoft engineer who understood Windows’ pain points. He built AnduinOS as a “better Windows” on Linux – no bloat, no spyware, no license fees.
- Best of Both Worlds – Leverages the stability & ecosystem of Linux with a user-friendly interface. It’s designed for developers and everyday users transitioning from Windows.
Early Traction
- Rapid Adoption – Launched 1.0 in Sept 2024. Gained 2,000+ users in first months and thousands of downloads (community server was overwhelmed – we added torrent downloads).
- Community Buzz – AnduinOS trended on DistroWatch (featured in monthly “Top Trending” list) – signaling strong interest among Linux enthusiasts.
- Open-Source Engagement – 375+ stars on GitHub in a few months; contributions and issue discussions from early adopters. Active forums (Revolt chat) and subreddit discussions validate engagement.
- Media Coverage – Featured by tech press: ZDNet praised it as “intuitive… makes using Linux a delight”; BetaNews noted the “focus on ease of use for those moving over from Windows”; Neowin recommends it for anyone wanting a Windows-like look.
- Influencer Reviews – Multiple YouTube channels reviewed AnduinOS (“Drop Windows and Install AnduinOS!”) with tens of thousands of views, and lively Reddit threads. Early user feedback is enthusiastic: “breathed new life into my Surface Go… runs much smoother than Windows”.
Product Overview
- Windows-Style UX – Modern GNOME-based desktop themed to Windows 11 visuals. Centered taskbar, Start menu, familiar icons – zero learning curve for Windows users.
- Lightweight & Fast – Minimalist install (≈2 GB ISO) with no bloatware or adware. Boots fast and runs smoothly even on older PCs (several users report better performance than Windows).
- Ubuntu Core – Built on Ubuntu LTS base for rock-solid stability and compatibility. Supports the vast Ubuntu/Debian package ecosystem (thousands of apps, drivers, updates) without reinventing the wheel.
- Flatpak App Store – Integrated Flatpak support for one-click install of apps in a sandbox. Users get an app store experience with a huge library of up-to-date applications, isolated for security. (Traditional .deb/APT available for system components.)
- Privacy & Security – No telemetry or tracking by design. Open-source code (GPLv3) means anyone can audit it – fostering trust. Each app’s permissions are confined (thanks to containerization), reducing attack surface.
- Windows Compatibility – AnduinOS can run many Win32 applications via compatibility layers (Wine/Proton). This helps users bring critical Windows software with them, smoothing the transition.
Competitive Landscape
- Staying on Windows 11 – The incumbent choice, but requires new hardware for many and comes with user frustration (forced updates, ads, control loss). Many Windows 10 users are reluctant to move to 11 – leaving an opening for alternatives.
- Ubuntu & Fedora – Popular Linux distributions, but not aimed at Windows migrants. Different UI/UX, and include their own quirks (e.g. Snap packages) that can alienate newcomers. General-purpose, not specifically addressing Windows users’ needs for familiarity.
- Linux Mint – A long-standing user-friendly distro with a Windows-like start menu. However, its interface resembles older Windows (Windows 7 era) and lacks the modern look & polish of Windows 11. Mint doesn’t aggressively target the upcoming wave of Windows 10 refugees, and its innovation pace is moderate.
- Zorin OS – Perhaps the closest analog: a Linux that imitates Windows UI. Zorin has a polished experience, yet it remains relatively niche. It’s a small team with a freemium model; it hasn’t achieved breakout adoption. AnduinOS already matches Zorin’s polish but with far more community buzz in 6 months.
- Other Niche Distros – (Elementary, Lite, etc.) Each offers a piece of the puzzle (a nice UI here, a lightweight base there) but none have united familiarity, performance, and momentum.
- Our Edge – AnduinOS stands out by delivering a true Windows 11-like experience on an up-to-date Ubuntu foundation, backed by genuine early traction. No other OSS project has captured the Windows-to-Linux switcher demographic at scale – this is our domain to win.
Long-Term Vision
“LayerOS” – AnduinOS is the first step toward LayerOS, a next-gen desktop OS architecture. In LayerOS, the core system and user environment are cleanly separated into layers. This means seamless system updates without disrupting user apps, and the ability to customize or replace layers (e.g. GUIs) easily. It’s a modular approach to operating systems, bringing the flexibility of cloud/container tech to the desktop.
MCP per App – We envision Micro-Container per App: each application on AnduinOS/LayerOS runs in its own secure container by default. This ensures robust security and stability – one app can’t crash the system or sniff data from another. Users get the simplicity of installing apps like on a smartphone, with the trust that each app is isolated (yet tightly integrated through well-defined interfaces).
Ecosystem Expansion – In the long run, AnduinOS will evolve from a single distro into a platform ecosystem. Think an “Android of PCs” – an open platform with multiple device form factors and vendors. This includes:
- Third-party hardware preloads (PC makers shipping devices with AnduinOS out-of-box).
- An ecosystem of apps tailored for AnduinOS via our app store/SDK, encouraging developers to target our growing user base.
- Potential cloud and mobile extensions (cloud backup, cross-device sync, maybe a future LayerOS Mobile edition) to create a unified experience across devices.
Community-Driven Innovation – By moving toward a layered, containerized OS, we can invite community and enterprise contributors to build on specific layers or features without risking the whole system. This opens the door for faster innovation – e.g. community-developed UI themes, or enterprise-specific security modules – all coexisting on the platform.
Goal – Become the de-facto open desktop platform as Windows wanes – capturing not just dissatisfied Windows users, but PC OEMs, local governments, and global communities seeking an independent, modern OS. The LayerOS architecture and MCP approach are key differentiators that can leapfrog traditional OS models.
Monetization Strategy
- App Store Marketplace – Launch a dedicated AnduinOS App Store (building on our Flatpak infrastructure). Revenue via commission on paid apps, featured placements, or partnerships with software vendors. As user base grows, this could resemble the macOS/Windows app stores – a percentage of all transactions (e.g. 80/20 split) goes to AnduinOS.
- Subscription Services – Offer premium cloud services: cloud backup, settings sync across devices, and secure online storage integrated with the OS. Individual users might pay a monthly fee for seamless sync (think Apple iCloud or Windows roaming profiles, but for AnduinOS). This can extend to “AnduinOS Cloud” for enterprise (central device management via cloud).
- Hardware Partnerships – Work with PC manufacturers and system integrators to ship AnduinOS on laptops, desktops, even mini PCs. This could generate revenue through licensing deals or profit-sharing on hardware sales. Additionally, we could produce an “AnduinOS Certified” hardware line (either independently or co-branded) and earn margin on device sales.
- Enterprise Offerings – Support and Services for organizations. Provide enterprise-grade versions or add-ons (advanced management tools, custom app images, security features) and sell support contracts (similar to Red Hat model). Companies save on Windows licensing, while we earn annual per-seat support fees. We can also offer consulting for enterprises migrating fleets from Windows to AnduinOS.
- Diverse Model – These monetization streams ensure we aren’t reliant on one source. The core OS remains free and open-source to drive adoption, while value-added services drive revenue. Over time, a thriving user base allows for additional monetization such as training/certifications, or an AnduinOS app developer program (with revenue share, dev tools, etc.).
Trust & Governance
- Open Source Transparency – AnduinOS is 100% open-source (GPLv3 licensed). All code is publicly auditable, which is crucial for trust. Users, developers, and even governments can inspect and verify there are no backdoors or telemetry. This addresses security concerns head-on and builds credibility, especially as we ask people to switch their primary OS.
- Community Governance – As the project grows, we will establish an AnduinOS Foundation or similar governance body. This will include community contributors and perhaps stakeholder representatives. It ensures no single company (not even us) can unilaterally derail the project’s ethos. This open governance model is a lesson from other successful OSS projects (Linux, Mozilla, etc.). It will help attract contributors worldwide and maintain user trust long-term.
- User Privacy & Control – We prioritize privacy by design. AnduinOS does not collect personal data, and never will. Any telemetry or cloud service we introduce will be opt-in and transparent. Our commitment: users, not advertisers or big data, are our customers. We believe this stance will earn goodwill (in contrast to Windows’ data practices) and align with global privacy regulations.
- International & Neutral – We are crafting AnduinOS to be a globally adoptable platform. Being open-source and community-driven makes it politically and commercially neutral – an attractive trait for countries or organizations seeking technological independence. (For example, markets like China or the EU are keen on reducing Microsoft dependence; AnduinOS can be an internationally trusted solution since it’s not controlled by any one government or giant corporation.)
- Security and Reliability – With open code and many eyes, bugs and vulnerabilities can be caught early. We plan regular security audits and to engage with the open-source security community. Also, by welcoming external contributors, we reduce the “single maintainer risk.” Investors and users can be confident that AnduinOS will not be abandoned on a whim; it’s bigger than one person. Our approach to governance ensures longevity and trust, which are essential for an OS that people rely on daily.
Call to Action
- Why Invest Now: We’re at a once-in-a-generation inflection point. Windows 10’s retirement creates an unprecedented opening for a new desktop OS. Over the next 12–24 months, millions will be evaluating alternatives. AnduinOS has first-mover advantage in targeting this segment with a proven product. Timing is critical – with support and funding, we can capture this wave before it passes.
- Founder & Team: Our founder is a seasoned Microsoft engineer with insider knowledge of OS development and user pain-points. He single-handedly built AnduinOS from scratch and attracted global attention – demonstrating grit and talent. Going forward, we will expand the team with experts in Linux, UI/UX, and community management. We have the vision and technical foundation; with investment, we’ll have the team to execute at scale.
- Execution Plan: In the next 18 months, we plan to: release AnduinOS 2.0 with enhanced features (integrated app store, cloud sync), grow to 100K+ users, and secure at least two OEM partnerships. We’ll establish a sustainable revenue pilot (app store or support contracts) within 12 months. Funding will primarily fuel engineering hires, community support, and marketing to accelerate adoption.
- The Ask: We are seeking strategic investors/partners who share our belief that the desktop status quo is ripe for disruption. Investment in AnduinOS will enable us to rapidly scale and monetize, while keeping our open-source ethos. This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of reclaiming the PC ecosystem from proprietary lock-in – and to build a lucrative business by doing so.
- Join Us: AnduinOS is more than a product; it’s a movement by and for the users. We invite you to join us as investors and partners in this journey. Together, we will empower millions of frustrated Windows users, transform the desktop computing landscape, and create significant value in the process. Let’s build the future of the open desktop – and capture the market opportunity of the decade.