#USA #AI Infrastructure #Reno #Rocky Linux #CIQ

CIQ Launches a Groundbreaking Startup Program

In the fast-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC), infrastructure can often be a barrier to innovation for early-stage startups. Recognizing this challenge, CIQ, the founding support partner of Rocky Linux, has officially launched the CIQ Startup Program. This initiative aims to provide VC-backed startups with access to sophisticated, battle-tested AI infrastructure that is both cost-effective and efficient.

Details of the CIQ Startup Program

The CIQ Startup Program offers seamless access to CIQ's AI infrastructure, which is designed specifically for companies focusing on production AI workloads and performance-intensive applications. The offer includes:

• - Six Months Free Use: Eligible startups will receive six months of free access to CIQ's infrastructure.
• - Discounted Pricing: After the initial six months, startups can benefit from discounts of up to 80% on CIQ's AI infrastructure stack for a total of 24 months.

This program specifically targets startups that are in the seed to Series C stages, particularly those that are preparing to enter regulated markets or are already managing production workloads in AI. By removing the financial barriers associated with high-performance computing, CIQ aims to democratize access to advanced technology for these innovators.

Key Features of CIQ’s AI Infrastructure Stack

Startups participating in the program will have access to CIQ's comprehensive infrastructure suite, which includes the following notable offerings:
1. Rocky Linux from CIQ – AI (RLC-AI): An Enterprise Linux distribution optimized for AI workloads that boasts an average throughput improvement of 10% compared to standard Ubuntu in inferencing tasks. This solution integrates popular frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Hugging Face while delivering immediate support for accelerators.
2. CIQ Fuzzball: A container-first orchestration platform that enhances the throughput of AI pipelines, enabling startups to scale dramatically in various environments—from cloud to on-premise and hybrid setups. Overall, Fuzzball simplifies the complexities associated with deep HPC knowledge.
3. Rocky Linux from CIQ – Hardened (RLC-H): This ready-to-deploy solution meets strict compliance standards, making it suitable for federal and government use. It comes equipped with necessary security hardening out of the box.
4. Dedicated Engineering Support: CIQ offers robust architecture design, performance tuning, and deployment guidance to ensure that startups can efficiently implement these solutions.

What This Means for Startups

As Bjorn Hovland, president of CIQ, stated, "Infrastructure complexity shouldn't slow down innovation."
This philosophy underscores CIQ's commitment to helping startups access the technologies they need to flourish without the hindrance of excessive costs. Early-stage companies that have been involved in the program have reported dramatic enhancements in both deployment speed and infrastructure efficiency. Claire Seibold, director of software data analytics at FYR Bio, highlighted the effectiveness of CIQ’s Fuzzball: "It gives us the ability to implement and scale these pipelines for 100x the throughput in a fraction of the time."

Application Process

Startups interested in joining the CIQ Startup Program can apply directly on CIQ’s website at ciq.com/startups or reach out via email at [email protected] The program represents a unique opportunity for VC-backed startups looking to leverage advanced AI capabilities without the usual financial burden.

About CIQ

CIQ is dedicated to providing secure, high-performance software infrastructure to support AI, HPC, and modern workloads. As the founding support partner for Rocky Linux, they deliver scalable solutions tailored for cutting-edge computing needs. For more information, visit ciq.com.

This launch is poised to set a precedent in how early-stage companies integrate and utilize advanced technological frameworks, paving the way for innovation that exceeds expectations.