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Nexus Partner Program launches with deal protection, margin retention, and new MDF and rebate structure
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CRN names ThreatDown a 5-Star Partner Program Award winner; three executives named Channel Chiefs
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New pod-based sales model, partner incentives, and planned Partner Advisory Council expand ecosystem investment
ThreatDown, formerly the corporate business unit of Malwarebytes, announced major progress in this past year, highlighted by a rapid shift to a distribution-led go-to-market model and expanded investment in the mid-market and broader channel community, including managed service provider (MSP) partners.
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ThreatDown has rebuilt its partner program and sales organization to align fully with a channel-first strategy. The most visible result: the share of business transacted through distribution grew from approximately 1% to roughly 40%—a shift that simplifies partner engagement and creates a more scalable, predictable route to market.
“We’re focused on building a partner model that is easier to work with and designed for long-term growth,” said Kendra Krause, General Manager of ThreatDown. “Shifting to a distribution-led approach reflects the confidence partners have placed in this model and the value they see in working with ThreatDown.”
Rebuilding the Partner Model for Scale
Krause joined ThreatDown in July 2025 as the company intensified its focus on the channel-first model and accelerated partner growth across market segments. ThreatDown also strengthened its channel commitment through the Nexus Partner Program, a comprehensive initiative that puts partners at the center by fostering collaboration and creating new growth opportunities across its global network.
The redesigned program introduced genuine deal registration, competitive renewal discounting and margin retention, as well as new rebates and market development funds to support partner-led growth. Unlike competitors that register deals only to take them direct, ThreatDown strictly enforces its rules of engagement on deal registration, a distinction that has become a meaningful differentiator for partners evaluating their options in the mid-market security space.
ThreatDown has also expanded its distribution relationships, giving partners access to its solutions through established procurement and fulfillment channels. The company is building campaign kits, training, and enablement resources to help partners get to market faster and more effectively.
A Pod-Based Sales Model Built for Partners
ThreatDown has restructured its global sales organization into dedicated pods, each pairing a channel manager, renewals account manager, MSP specialist, systems engineer, and customer success resource around a shared set of partners. The result is a more consistent, coordinated experience across new business, renewals, and upsell opportunities, supported by a single team financially aligned with partner success.
Growing Momentum in the Mid-Market and MSP Segment
ThreatDown is seeing early signs of platform adoption deepening across its customer base. Bundle deals in the Advance, Elite, and Ultimate tiers grew 14% in the second half of 2025, while MSP customers increased usage of ancillary products including DNS, MDR, and Cloud for Business by 12% over the same period. Together, the trends point to customers consolidating security spend with ThreatDown rather than mixing vendors.
MSPs represent one of ThreatDown’s fastest-growing customer segments. The company has expanded its presence across distribution marketplaces and deepened strategic alliances with RMM and PSA vendors to meet MSPs wherever they prefer to buy, whether through a distributor, a direct relationship, or an integrated marketplace.
“ThreatDown truly stands out in the industry,” said Scott Larson, Managing Partner and Owner at Technology By Design. “Backed by an innovative, intuitive security platform, ThreatDown genuinely listens to the partner community and turns feedback into meaningful action from sales enablement to deal protection to platform support.”
Industry Recognition for Partner Commitment
ThreatDown’s channel transformation has earned recognition from two of the industry’s leading authorities on partner programs. CRN awarded ThreatDown a 5-Star Partner Program Award in 2026. The publication also named three ThreatDown executives to its annual Channel Chiefs list—Kendra Krause, General Manager; Dave DeHaven, Vice President, Channel Sales Americas; and Brian Kane, Vice President, Global MSP and Distribution—recognizing leaders who drive successful channel strategies and meaningful partner engagement.
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