CIQ Startup Program
Enterprise-ready AI infrastructure for startups that scale
Enterprise performance without enterprise costs. CIQ gives AI startups 6 months free access to battle-tested infrastructure and the team behind Rocky Linux.
The complete stack for startups. Deploy faster. Scale smarter.
Fuzzball
Container-first platform that accelerates time-to-market by eliminating infrastructure complexity. Startups can deploy AI workflows without deep HPC expertise, automate data management, and seamlessly scale across cloud and on-prem as they grow, freeing engineering resources to focus on innovation, not cluster management.
Rocky Linux from CIQ - AI (RLC-AI)
Pre-optimized Enterprise Linux that eliminates weeks of manual configuration and maximizes AI hardware ROI. Startups get immediate access to latest accelerator support, pre-integrated AI frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, ONNX), and kernel-level optimizations, enabling faster deployment and better resource utilization without dedicated infrastructure teams.
Rocky Linux from CIQ - Hardened (RLC-H)
Enterprise compliance, FIPS 140-3, CIS, DISA STIG, built into pre-hardened, pre-remediated images. Includes kernel exploit detection (LKRG), hardened memory allocator, privilege boundary protection, and accelerated CVE mitigation. Enables startups to move confidently into regulated markets with built-in security and compliance.
The startup advantage
| Duration | Discount | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 100% free | Full access to CIQ software stack and engineering support |
| 12 months | 80% off | Optimize and scale production workloads |
| 18-24 months | 50% off | Transition to sustainable enterprise-grade infrastructure |
Includes: CIQ engineering support for architecture design, performance tuning, and deployment guidance.
Proven results
VC-backed startups from seed through Series C using CIQ get:
- 9x faster deployments and accelerated time to market without infrastructure bottlenecks
- Massive compute cost reductions fueling more capital for innovation
- De-risked operations in regulated industries with built-in compliance
- Expert advice and access to support from the co-founders of the open source projects
Our commitment to your success
CIQ is a startup, too. We believe moving fast and delivering battle-tested systems are critical elements of success. With the CIQ Startup Program, our team is here to support you on your journey.
- 6 months free, 12 months at 80% off, 18-24 months at 50% off
- Technical onboarding: We’ll get you up and running quickly
- Production readiness: Ensure you are ready to go live at the right scale
- Expert engineering support included
- Proven infrastructure from the creators of Rocky Linux
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Who qualifies for the CIQ Startup Program?
VC-backed AI and deep tech startups from seed through Series D are eligible. We prioritize companies running production AI workloads, building performance-intensive applications, or preparing to enter regulated markets. If you're bootstrapped but meeting significant technical milestones, reach out—we evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
What's included in the free 6-month period?
Full access to Fuzzball, RLC-AI, and RLC-H with no usage limits or node restrictions, subject to terms and conditions. You also get direct engineering support for architecture design, performance tuning, and deployment guidance. This isn't a trial; it's production-ready infrastructure with expert backup.
Can I use CIQ alongside my existing Kubernetes setup?
Absolutely. Fuzzball integrates with CI/CD systems, container registries, and existing workflows. Many startups run hybrid environments, Kubernetes for web services, Fuzzball for compute-intensive AI workloads. RLC-AI and RLC-H work as drop-in replacements for your current Linux distribution across any environment.
We're on AWS/Azure/GCP. Does this work in the cloud?
Yes. Fuzzball is available as a cloud image for AWS and is coming soon to Azure and GCP. Fuzzball orchestrates workloads across cloud, on-prem, and edge environments, perfect for startups developing in the cloud but planning to deploy on-prem for cost optimization or customer requirements.
How is this different from using standard Rocky Linux?
Community Rocky Linux is free forever. RLC-AI and RLC-H add pre-optimizations, immediate accelerator support, compliance frameworks, commercial support, and comprehensive indemnification. Think of it as the difference between vanilla Ubuntu and a production-hardened, vendor-supported distribution optimized for your specific workload.
What happens after the 24-month program ends?
You transition to standard CIQ pricing with continued access to all products and support. Most startups reaching this point are well-funded and scaling; infrastructure becomes a strategic advantage, not a cost center. We'll work with you to structure pricing that aligns with your growth stage.
We need to pass sell to government customers, which requires compliance. Can CIQ help?
This is exactly why RLC-H exists. We provide pre-hardened, pre-remediated images for DISA STIG, CIS, and FIPS 140-3 compliance frameworks, plus the scripts and expertise to customize for your specific audit requirements. Startups in the program get engineering support to accelerate compliance readiness.
How quickly can we get started?
Most teams are running production workloads within days. The program includes deployment guidance, and our engineering team can help with architecture design and migration planning. We've onboarded startups moving from bare Ubuntu in under a week.
What if we're pre-revenue or still in stealth mode?
We work with stealth-mode startups regularly. As long as you're VC-backed and building something real, we're interested. Confidentiality is standard; we won't announce your participation without permission.
Can we get extended support beyond the program terms?
Yes. If you need longer evaluation periods or customized terms based on your funding timeline, contact us directly. We're flexible with startups showing strong technical traction.