There are a huge number of companies out there that attempt to directly monetize open source software. Mostly, this is done through support contracts and consulting fees. Many other companies indirectly monetize open source software by using it as a part of their business but not directly marketing the open source components.

Generally, though, it is difficult to effectively monetize open source software directly for a number of reasons. For example:

• It is difficult to get techy people tk pay for support subscriptions because they assume they can just learn the technology themselves. It may cost more up front, but the assumption, whether right or wrong, is that it will save money in the long run.
• If you can monetize a piece of open source software, someone else can too. If the software exists, the monetization strategies will be fairly obvious and multiple companies are likely to jump on the opportunity.

That said, for profit companies that sell closed source software indirectly monetize open source software. They don’t directly market the open source software. They just have other, closed source components that the open source software supports.

So, basically, companies aren’t scared of open source software. They even frequently contribute code and donate money. The issue is simply that the business model for direct monetization of purely open source software is less likely to create a lage company that can become a household name.