Unlock the Secrets: How CIQ's Startup Program Transformed 100+ Early Innovators Overnight!

CIQ, the founding support partner of Rocky Linux and a provider of high-performance software infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads, has just unveiled the CIQ Startup Program. Launched on January 28, 2026, in Reno, Nevada, this initiative is designed to assist venture capital-backed startups by offering them substantial financial incentives as they seek to scale their AI operations.

Eligible startups will receive six months of free access to CIQ's AI infrastructure stack followed by discounts of up to 80% for a period of up to two years. This program targets companies at various stages, specifically from seed to Series C funding, and prioritizes those that are running production AI workloads, developing performance-intensive applications, or preparing to enter regulated markets.

Through the CIQ Startup Program, participants can deploy and scale CIQ's robust stack for AI workloads, which includes:

• Rocky Linux from CIQ – AI (RLC-AI): This enterprise Linux is pre-optimized for AI workloads, boasting an average throughput improvement of 10% over standard Ubuntu in inferencing tasks. RLC-AI comes with integrated frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, and ONNX, along with immediate accelerator support and kernel-level optimizations to alleviate weeks of manual configuration.
• CIQ Fuzzball: A container-first orchestration platform, Fuzzball enables startups to significantly scale their AI pipeline throughput and accelerate deployment across various environments—cloud, on-premises, and hybrid—without needing extensive HPC expertise.
• Rocky Linux from CIQ – Hardened (RLC-H): These ready-to-deploy hardened images are designed to meet compliance standards such as FIPS 140-3, CIS, and DISA STIG, allowing access to federal and government sectors right out of the box.
• Direct engineering support: Startups will receive architecture design, performance tuning, and deployment guidance from CIQ's expert team.

Bjorn Hovland, president of CIQ, emphasized the importance of simplifying infrastructure to foster innovation. “Infrastructure complexity shouldn’t slow down innovation,” he stated. “The CIQ Startup Program gives early-stage companies access to the same battle-tested stack that enterprises and research institutions depend on, without the enterprise costs. We’re a startup too; we understand what it takes to move fast and scale smart.”

Initial feedback from startups participating in the program has been overwhelmingly positive. Claire Seibold, director of software and data analytics at FYR Bio, reported significant enhancements in their operations, stating, "CIQ's Fuzzball gives us the ability to implement and scale these pipelines for 100x the throughput in a fraction of the time."

For startups interested in the CIQ Startup Program, applications can be submitted through ciq.com/startups or by contacting [email protected].

Founded as a support partner for Rocky Linux, CIQ aims to deliver secure and efficient software infrastructure for AI, HPC, and modern workloads. The company provides enterprise-grade solutions, including Rocky Linux variants, Fuzzball orchestration, Warewulf Pro cluster management, and Ascender Pro automation. For more information, visit ciq.com.