By 2020, curl’s reach extended far beyond the developer community, with its reliability and security earning international recognition. That year, Daniel Stenberg received a Google Patch Grant to further improve libcurl’s security, highlighting the importance of his work in safeguarding one of the most widely used software components in the world.
In 2021, curl’s contributions were recognized in an extraordinary way: Daniel was listed as a Mars 2020 Helicopter Contributor on GitHub, a badge awarded to developers whose projects were used in the Mars mission. This remarkable recognition illustrated the breadth of curl’s impact, extending from billions of devices on Earth to interplanetary exploration.
The same year, Daniel became a GitHub Star, a distinction honoring influential developers whose work inspires and supports the global developer community. He continued to receive this recognition annually through 2025, further reflecting curl’s critical role in shaping open-source development.
In 2024, Daniel was named a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in C++ and web development, a recognition of his outstanding contributions to the broader software community. While this program spans thousands of recipients, it underscores the continued relevance and influence of curl in both open-source and enterprise environments.
Together, these honors demonstrate curl’s evolution from a groundbreaking open-source tool to a globally recognized project. They reflect not only Daniel’s expertise and dedication but also curl’s enduring role in advancing technology and enabling developers worldwide.
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