Klarälvdalens Datakonsult AB (also known as KDAB for short), international software company based in Sweden, has just become the KDE patron, continuing this way the Free Desktop project, joining names such as Mark Shuttlewoth, Intel, Trolltech and Novell Inc.

Regarding this announcement the KDAB officials state:

"KDE

and KDAB have a very strong relationship that dates back to the beginning of the KDE project, with the KDAB CEO, Kalle Dalheimer, being one of the founders of the KDE project. Since then, KDAB has supported KDE consistently both with code and funding, especially for the past aKademies. We believe that a strong KDE community is good for all of us, and thus want to provide KDE e.V. with a stable and plannable stream of funding."

Sebastian Kügler with KDE, added:

"KDAB takes its contribution to KDE very seriously. This is shown by their strong commitment to a stable, reliable and well-maintained codebase, and is stressed by their involvement in KDE as an organisation. KDAB serves as an example for excellent collaboration with other parts of the community. We're thrilled that we're able to manifest our collaboration also in this more formal way."

According to KDE officials, KDAB is tightly connected to KDE and they are really interested in promoting the KDE4 platform and getting involved in future projects. According to Mirko Boehm, KDE core developer and head of KDAB's Berlin office, some of the ten committers to KDE belong to KDAB. According to him, there are also many more KDE developers in the entire company, some of them being known as major contributors to the KDE's core. More details regarding this announcement can also be found on KDE's website.

According to its website, Klarälvdalens Datakonsult AB are targeted on individual software solutions. They develop contracted platform-independent software solutions for MS Windows and Linux (and other Unix variants) for customers such as IBM, Intel or DaimlerChrysler.