Signal Boost
A spotlight on Destination Linux for small, independent open-source projects that don’t currently have an advertising budget.
“We believe the best software in the world is often built by people who will never be able to afford a traditional ad. This program exists to change that.”
From application to airtime
Signal Boost shares our audience of tens of thousands of active Linux and open-source fans with the people who build the software they use. We feature up to four projects a month, one per episode, depending on our schedule.
Check eligibility
Your project must pass our simple three-criteria open source test.
Apply
Fill in the short form below. It takes less than 10 minutes.
We review
Paid Tier 2 applications are reviewed by our staff every month. Free Tier 1 applications are evaluated every two to three months.
Shape your feature
If you’re selected, we’ll reach out so you can send suggested highlights and review the read before it airs.
Features are host-led and conversational: Ryan and Jill share genuine commentary about projects they find valuable.
The three-criteria open source test
To keep things fair and protect the integrity of the show, every project must meet all three criteria for either tier.
| Criterion | Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Public source | Openly accessible | Your repository is public (GitHub, GitLab, Codeberg, SourceHut, a self-hosted Gitea, etc.) with no paywall or account-approval gate. |
| 2. Recognized license | OSI-approved | Licensed under an OSI-approved license, such as MIT, GPL v2/v3, Apache 2.0, BSD or MPL 2.0. |
| 3. Independent | No VC or corporate backing | No institutional (VC/PE) investment, and parent revenue under $1M USD per year. Commercial companies belong in our regular sponsorship pipeline. |
Not eligible? Companies with a marketing department are welcome to sponsor the show instead.
Applicants must also be the owner of the project, or an authorized representative of it. Want to help a project you love get an ad? Work with its maintainers and encourage them to apply.
Pick the one that fits your project
Tier 1 · Community Spotlight
For pure open-source projects with little or no revenue. Eligible projects have less than $5,000 USD in lifetime donations or grants.
- A host-read feature of about 30 seconds during the show
- A mention and link in the show notes
- Social media cross-promotion on our official channels
Free features are a community bonus. We evaluate Tier 1 applications every two to three months, and Patrons vote on which project is featured when we hold a ballot. Timing depends on the applications and votes we receive, and runners-up may roll over to a future ballot. An optional small application fee ($5–$10) may be introduced if submission volume requires it.
Tier 2 · Supported Project Feature
For small, community-run projects that accept donations but stay non-corporate: under $2,500 USD/month or $25,000 USD/year in donations (self-certified, or with a screenshot from your donation platform).
A host-read plug of about 30 seconds, a show notes link, a social post and a YouTube chapter marker.
An interview segment of roughly 10–15 minutes, plus everything in Option A.
A small flat fee puts your project in front of tens of thousands of active Linux users. Our staff reviews Tier 2 applications every month, and eligible paid features are scheduled first-come, first-served with priority over free features.
Program terms
Plain-language terms that apply to everyone who applies. By submitting an application you agree to them.
Applications and selection
Submitting an application does not guarantee a feature. We may reject any application, at any time, for any reason, and we decide which projects are featured, when, and how. Eligibility is based on the information you give us, and we may ask you to verify it (for example, with a screenshot from your donation platform).
Payments and refunds (Tier 2)
Tier 2 is a paid placement. If we reject your application, any payment you made for it is returned. Once your application is accepted, payments are non-refundable.
You must own the project
You can only apply for a project you own, or one you are authorized to represent. You can’t sponsor something you don’t own. If you want to help a project you love get an ad, work with its maintainers and encourage them to apply.
Rights you give us
By applying you confirm you have the right to grant us permission to use your project’s name, logo, description and any materials you send. You give us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to read, record, edit, publish and distribute your feature and these materials, including in audio, video, show notes and social media, and to keep the published episodes available.
Your input on the read
If you’re selected, we’ll contact you so you can send suggested highlights for the read and review it before it airs. The hosts keep final say on wording and editorial content.
Editorial independence
Features reflect the hosts’ own opinions. A feature is not a guarantee, certification or endorsement of the software, and we make no promises about results such as downloads, users or donations. We are not responsible for your project or how people use it.
Accurate information
Everything you submit must be true and must not infringe anyone else’s rights. If we find that information was inaccurate, or that the project no longer meets the criteria, we may withdraw the feature.
Your information
We use the details you submit only to review your application and to contact you about it.
Changes to the program
Signal Boost is run by Deviant Airwaves LLC. We may change, pause or end the program, and update these terms, at any time. The terms in effect when you apply are the ones that apply to your application.
Apply to Signal Boost
Fields marked * are required.