CNCF End User Community

Where users of cloud native technology connect, collaborate, and lead.

The CNCF End User Community offers a vendor-neutral environment for forward-thinking companies to come together to influence the cloud native ecosystem, connect with peers, and accelerate their platform journeys.

End User Definition

A CNCF End user is an organization that utilizes cloud native technologies internally to build, deploy, and operate software applications, systems, or services and excludes the following:

Companies that engage in the direct commercial distribution, support, or sale of software generated by CNCF projects.
Companies who sell or commercially distribute other products or services (e.g., cloud native security) that enable, host, optimize, monitor, or secure cloud native technologies.
Training providers who sell courses, training services, educational content, or professional certification related to cloud native technologies.
Consultancies and systems integrators.

Selling or distributing plug-ins that enable integration with software produced by CNCF projects and/or contributing such plug-ins to CNCF projects will not disqualify an organization from being a CNCF End User.

Exceptions may be approved by CNCF on a case-by-case basis, including for organizations that would meet the definition of End User set forth above, except for a de minimis portion of their business.

Why Join?

Influence the Tech You Rely On

Influence where it and 210+ other cloud native projects are going.

Elevate Your Cloud Native Story

Showcase your technologies and amplify your brand around the world.

Connect with a Global Network

Join maintainers, working groups, and peer companies. Collaborate with key projects like Prometheus, Envoy, and OpenTelemetry.

Navigate Cloud Native with Clarity

Explore trusted tools, expert insights, and the interactive CNCF Landscape—all in one place.

Two Options for Joining

End User organizations have two distinct, value-driven options for engagement. Both grant access to our End User community, but they differ in benefits:

1. Join as a CNCF End User Contributor

The End User Contributor Program provides a zero-fees pathway to earn

Access to End User-only events, programs, and discussion forums
Eligibility to run for and serve on the End User Technical Advisory Board
Recognition as an End User Contributor

Learn more and apply at our End User Contributor Program page.

2. Join as a CNCF Member

CNCF members receive all the benefits that End User Contributors receive, plus:

KubeCon tickets
Cloud Native training & certification coupons
Recruiting booth discounts
And more!

Learn more at Join CNCF or Request a Membership Consultation.

“We joined the CNCF to connect, contribute, and make sure we’re not doing this in isolation”
Gabriel Quennesson, Tech Lead, Michelin

Value Across Your Organization

A CNCF Membership offers unmatched value across your entire organization. Whether a startup, scale-up, or mid-sized company, you can lead, learn, grow, and be recognized in the cloud native ecosystem.

Scroll down for an overview of benefits for Devs & Engineering Teams; DevOps, Platform & SREs; Marketing, Brand & Community; CTOs & Technology Executives

Developer & Engineering Teams

Use. Improve. Contribute.

Shape the future of cloud native projects like Kubernetes, Helm, and Prometheus
Access maintainers directly, contribute upstream, and build credibility in a global open source community
Receive unlimited Linux Foundation training and one certification exam per year for up to 15 developers

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DevOps, Platform, & SRE Teams

Tooling that works together — and with you.

Leverage CNCF’s ecosystem of interoperable tools and community-proven best practices
Stay ahead of the curve through CNCF research initiatives
Gain insights from real-world platform and infrastructure adopters
Showcase your team’s work via case studies and blogs.

Marketing, Brand, & Community

Spotlight in the Ecosystem.

Boost your brand’s visibility across CNCF’s global content and event platforms
Share your stories through blog posts, case studies, livestreams, and podcast opportunities
Gain access to The New Stack, CNCF newsletters, and community channels
Take advantage of event sponsorship and speaker opportunities to expand your reach.

CTOs & Technology Executives

Elevate your brand. Influence the future.

Elevate Your Brand. Influence the Future.
Position your company as a leader in the cloud native space
Contribute to strategic initiatives like the CNCF Technology Radar and white papers
Run for CNCF Governing Board elections
Gain visibility through member press and blog announcements
Participate in exclusive events like the Cloud Native Executive Summit at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon