Microsoft ISV Success Program Benefits for Building, Publishing, and Growing in Marketplace
Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
Intended Audience: Microsoft ISV Partners
*Updated July 2026
The ISV Success Program helps software development companies (SDC) turn application ideas into scalable Marketplace opportunities. The 12-month program provides technical guidance, developer tools, cloud resources, and go-to-market (GTM) support to build, publish, and grow.
ISV Success is available through the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program to eligible SDCs building B2B applications or agents on or integrated with the Microsoft Cloud. Partners must intend to make their solution externally available for repeat sales and publish through Microsoft Marketplace.
ISV Success Program Benefits Depend on Package and Listing Types
ISV Success benefits are available through three packages: Core, Expanded, and Advanced.
- Core package: Available to qualifying companies when they enroll in ISV Success.
- Expanded package: Offered by invitation or nomination based on factors such as prior performance and intent to transact through Marketplace.
- Advanced package: Available to eligible companies with a Certified Software Designation in Azure, Security, or Industry AI.
Depending on the package, benefits may include:
- Azure sponsorship credits
- Azure AI resources
- GitHub Enterprise Cloud
- Visual Studio Enterprise
- Microsoft 365 E5 developer subscriptions
- Dynamics 365 partner sandboxes
- Technical and publishing consultations
- Marketplace listing optimization
- Marketplace Rewards
Once an offer is published, Marketplace Rewards vary by listing type and performance. List, Trial, and Consulting offers can receive benefits once every 12 months at the Partner level. Transactable offers are eligible for ongoing benefits based on performance over the trailing 12 months.
The 3 Stages of the ISV Success Program
ISV Success supports software development companies across three stages of their application journey:
- 1. Build: Access Azure credits, developer tools, AI resources, cloud services, and technical consultations to help develop well-architected applications and agents on the Microsoft Cloud.
- 2. Publish: Prepare solutions for Microsoft Marketplace with publishing consultations, transact enablement support, and Marketplace listing optimization.
- 3. Grow: Unlock Marketplace Rewards that can help increase visibility, generate demand, and create sales opportunities. Depending on offer type and performance, benefits may include Microsoft promotion, featured placement, sales consultations, Azure sponsorship, and support from an Engagement Manager.
Together, these stages connect application development with Marketplace opportunities, giving software companies the resources and support to bring their solutions to market and accelerate growth.
Benefits of the ISV Success Program
ISV Success brings together technical, Marketplace, and go-to-market resources to help software companies accelerate innovation and create new growth opportunities.
- Technical Resources and AI Innovation: Build secure, well-architected applications with Azure credits, AI resources, GitHub Enterprise Cloud, Visual Studio Enterprise, Dynamics 365 Partner sandboxes, and expert technical consultations. Eligible Advanced participants can access up to $50,000 USD in total Azure sponsorship through the package structure.
- Marketplace Publishing and Co-Sell Readiness: Strengthen your route to Microsoft Marketplace with publishing consultations, transact enablement support, and listing optimization. A transactable offer can also support progress toward Azure IP Co-Sell requirements and create more opportunities to engage Microsoft sellers.
- Go-to-Market and Sales Enablement: Access Marketplace Rewards that can help increase visibility, generate demand, and advance sales opportunities. Depending on offer type and Marketplace performance, benefits may include Microsoft promotion, featured placement, sales consultations, Azure sponsorship, and Engagement Manager support.
Why ISVs Should Leverage ISV Success Program Benefits
ISV Success brings together technical resources, developer tools, Marketplace guidance, and go-to-market support within one Microsoft program.
During the Build and Publish stages, software companies can use Azure credits, AI resources, development tools, and expert consultations to strengthen their solutions and prepare for Marketplace. Once published, Marketplace Rewards can help increase visibility, engage Microsoft sellers, and support sales growth.
Microsoft reports that Marketplace Rewards can help participating companies achieve up to five times higher Marketplace Billed Sales. Eligible Azure sponsorship can also help offset costs associated with qualifying free trials and customer deployments tied to Marketplace opportunities.
Let the Mavens Help You Navigate the ISV Success Program
With all the resources available for Microsoft Partners, it can be challenging to determine which ones are worthwhile for your organization. Luckily, our Mavens can help! We will work together with you to determine whether the ISV Success Program is a good fit for your business and how you can leverage these benefits to continue to grow.
Get in touch with the Mavens today to discuss how to grow as a Microsoft Partner.
