CloudBolt Software has made a big move that will change the cloud cost management and Kubernetes optimization landscape. The acquisition of StormForge, closed on March 31, 2025, brings together two big players in the cloud space to tackle the pains of managing and optimizing Kubernetes.
Businesses are struggling with container workloads and the cost that comes with it. CloudBolt has been at the forefront of the FinOps movement with its cloud cost management solutions.
One-stop shop for FinOps and Kubernetes optimization
CloudBolt (the Cloud ROI Company™) is calling this acquisition a big step towards closing the loop in FinOps for Kubernetes. The integration of StormForge’s intelligence into CloudBolt’s platform will shorten the path between finding inefficiencies and acting on them in real time.
Craig Hinkley, CEO of CloudBolt, says the integration of StormForge’s technology is like completing a puzzle, one that brings together efficiency, automation and cost transparency in Kubernetes operations. The acquisition answers the industry’s demand for a single approach to managing performance and spend in complex container environments.
Overprovisioning
Container workloads are unpredictable, and developers often over-allocate resources, resulting in wasted spend. Reactive auto-scaling to temporary demand spikes can inadvertently blow out infrastructure costs.
CloudBolt says workload unpredictability and limited visibility into cost impact are the two main challenges in Kubernetes cost optimization. With StormForge’s technology under its belt, CloudBolt will bring clarity and precision to how platform engineers manage and allocate cloud resources.
CloudBolt’s Augmented FinOps strategy
The acquisition fits into CloudBolt’s Augmented FinOps strategy announced in January 2024. This uses AI/ML to give businesses complete cloud optimization, cost management, automation and operational efficiency tools. The acquisition of StormForge adds to CloudBolt’s capabilities in this area for Kubernetes environments.
Rod Squires, CEO of StormForge, says this is a big step towards making Kubernetes cost control not magic. He says combining StormForge’s autonomous optimization with CloudBolt’s financials creates a closed loop that can adapt in real time to demand. Now engineers can balance performance with efficiency without the overhead of manual tuning.
Strengthening a proven partnership
CloudBolt’s acquisition of StormForge builds on a partnership that started in 2024 when StormForge became the first member of CloudBolt’s Technical Alliance Program (TAP). Since then, StormForge’s capabilities have been available within the CloudBolt Platform so customers can start using them right away.
The acquisition also brings key talent to CloudBolt’s executive team. Yasmin Rajabi, StormForge’s COO, will join as the new Chief Strategy Officer, while John Platt, StormForge’s founding engineer, will continue to drive AI/ML advancements across the CloudBolt platform. This talent infusion will accelerate the development of the integrated solution and solidify CloudBolt’s leadership in intelligent cloud optimization.
As companies go all in on cloud native and Kubernetes is becoming the center of modern application deployment, the CloudBolt-StormForge integration is going to be a game changer for cost optimization and operational efficiency. By closing the FinOps loop for Kubernetes, this strategic acquisition will change how businesses approach cloud cost management in the container era.
