The wait is finally over! We’re honored and excited to pull back the curtain on a project that has been fueling our passion for months: the Cloudinary Creators Community (CCC).
At Cloudinary, we know that the leap from finishing a coding tutorial to landing your dream role can feel like a massive chasm. That’s why we created the CCC. We aren't just building a community; we’re building a bridge to help you cross that gap and step into your future as a leader in the tech industry.
The Vision: ‘From Cloud to Crowd’
Our mission is captured in four simple words: from Cloud to Crowd,a phrase coined by one of our community members, Jerome Hardaway.
This program is specifically designed for the dreamers and the doers, the early-career developers, the brave career-changers, and the media-savvy creators who are ready to shape the future of the visual web. Whether you're just starting to understand how images and videos power the internet or you're already building complex apps, we’re here to empower you with the tools, mentorship, and global network you need to grow from a learner into a recognized Cloudinary Creator.
At the heart of everything we do are our three core values:
- Learn. Master the fundamentals of modern media management and high-performance web development through structured, accessible education.
- Build. Turn that knowledge into action! We provide the platform for you to ship real-world projects that make your portfolio shine.
- Connect. Join a vibrant, global ecosystem of peers and industry experts who are all rooting for your success.
We believe that when you combine the right tools with a supportive community, there’s no limit to what you can create. Ready to see how we’re making it happen?
Phase 1: Education
Joining the Community: Two Pathways
We want to make sure the CCC is accessible while maintaining the high-quality mentorship that makes this program special. There are two exciting ways to join us:
The Partner Pathway
We’re incredibly proud to launch in collaboration with global nonprofits that are changing the face of tech. If you’re a member of GirlScript, Developers in Vogue, Vets Who Code, Hack Your Future, or Tampa Devs, you have a direct seat at the table! We work closely with these organizations to provide dedicated spots for their communities.
The Individual Pathway
Are you an independent builder ready to level up? You can join, too! Simply dive into our "Cloud to Crowd" course at the Cloudinary Academy. Once you’ve mastered the material and passed the exam, you can submit an application to join our priority waitlist for the next available cohort.
Because we keep our cohorts selective to ensure everyone gets the support they need, these spots are highly coveted, so bring your A-game!
Phase 2: Activation
Discord: Our Digital Headquarters
Discord is where Phase 2 happens. Once inside, you get access to private channels, technical support, and our Developer Relations staff. To keep the community vibrant, we have a 30-day rule: New members must introduce themselves within their first month to keep their seat. You have 14 days to accept your invitation. We also monitor activity. After 60 days of silence, your status becomes inactive, and after 90 days, your spot is released to a new learner on the waitlist. This ensures our headquarters is full of creators ready to ship.
Selectivity and Waitlist Management
To guarantee quality mentorship, we limit active seats. This keeps our environment high-performing and focused. We operate on a bi-annual model with two intake cycles. If seats are full, you’ll join our priority waitlist. We monitor activity closely and invite waitlisted learners as spots open, ensuring every creator gets the support they deserve. Even if you’re not yet onboarded as an official Cloudinary Creator, however, please join us on Discord to engage with the community and participate in our fun activities such as hackathons and challenges.
Membership Benefits and Rewards
Your growth is rewarded at every stage. As a recognized creator, you gain access to a toolkit designed to power your professional portfolio.
The journey includes a one-year renewable Ambassador Plan to ensure your personal projects perform at their best. We also celebrate your milestones with exclusive digital badges via Holopin, giving you a way to showcase your education and project achievements to your network.
Beyond the tech, you’ll join an ecosystem built on mentorship. This includes dedicated office hours for technical Q&A, tailored career advice, and networking opportunities within the broader Cloudinary partner network. And to welcome you properly, once you’ve made your first meaningful engagement on Discord, we’ll ship the official CCC Swag Pack directly to your door.
The Engagement Path (12 Points/Year)
We value builders over observers. To keep your creator status active, we use a simple point system with a goal of 12 points per year.
You earn 5 points for shipping a project and 3 for joining a mini-community hackathon. Attending events earns you 2 points, while smaller acts like helping a peer solve a bug or joining a weekly standup earn 1 point. This path ensures our creators stay sharp, connected, and consistently moving forward.
Community Life and Activities
The activation phase is where the energy truly shifts. We keep the momentum high with hackathons and mini challenges designed to test your skills and reward your creativity with exciting prizes.
Our regular Demo Days give you a global stage to showcase your projects to the community and beyond. To track your progress, we use gamification through leaderboards and badges to celebrate our most active contributors. When you need help or career advice, our live office hours provide direct access to the experts who can help you solve technical challenges and plan your next big move.
Professionalism and Governance
A community this vibrant thrives on respect. Our Code of Conduct ensures that every member feels included and supported as they grow. We prioritize kindness and helpfulness, creating a professional network where everyone can advance their career safely.
This is a long-term partnership. To renew your spot each year, we look for continued growth through new project submissions and engagement with your peers. Staying connected means dropping into Discord at least once every 60 days to share your progress.
We’re ready to build the future of the visual web with you. Visit our Community page to find your path and start your journey from learner to creator today. Let's go!
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