New Referral-Based Program Offers ISVs Path to Growth on Akamai’s Globally Distributed Cloud Platform
Akamai Technologies, Inc., the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, announced the launch of ISV Catalyst, a new partner program designed specifically for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to accelerate growth through strategic partnership. ISV Catalyst is a referral-based partner program that empowers independent software vendors (ISVs) to build, market, and sell innovative solutions that run on Akamai’s globally distributed cloud platform while creating a seamless path for customers to engage with those ISVs.
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The announcement arrives at a critical inflection point in the cloud computing market, as software providers race to embed artificial intelligence, support multicloud deployments, and deliver reliable, cost-efficient, cloud-native solutions. ISV Catalyst addresses these industry demands by lowering barriers to entry into clouds and programs that are focused on enabling them to accelerate time to market while meeting customer demand for intelligent, portable, and scalable applications.
Breaking Down Barriers to Partnership
ISV Catalyst distinguishes itself through a unique, ISV-centric design that eliminates traditional partnership friction. The program features no referral fees for ISVs during their first year, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for both emerging and established software providers.
Unlocking New Opportunities for ISVs
ISV Catalyst empowers participating partners to differentiate their offerings, accelerate sales cycles, and unlock unique benefits including:
- Co-marketing opportunities with Akamai to amplify brand visibility and reach
- Prominent placement on Akamai’s Technical Partner Directory and web properties
- Awareness to Akamai’s global sales force
- Strategic partnership foundation for long-term growth and collaboration
By participating in ISV Catalyst, software vendors gain access to Akamai’s expansive cloud and edge computing infrastructure, positioning them to capture new demand as enterprises increasingly rely on specialized cloud software to drive their digital transformation initiatives.
Strategic Integration with Broader Partner Ecosystem
ISV Catalyst builds on the foundation of Akamai’s partner ecosystem that includes the Akamai Partner Connect and Qualified Compute Program. While Akamai’s Qualified Compute Program continues to deliver comprehensive technical integration and interoperability for deep platform partnerships, ISV Catalyst broadens ecosystem participation by providing a streamlined entry point with accessible on-ramps and growth pathways.
The program reflects Akamai’s focus on curating partnerships with ISVs whose solutions address specific customer needs. This selective approach helps customers find quality ISV solutions that work well with Akamai’s cloud platform.
“With the launch of ISV Catalyst, we’re delivering on the promise of our unified partner strategy,” said Zak Putnam, Senior Director, Business Development, Akamai. “Our ecosystem now has a structure that supports every type of partner, while giving ISVs different pathways to engage and participate with Akamai. This is a major step in creating a partner community where services, solutions, and software all come together to deliver more value to customers.”
Target Market and Availability
ISV Catalyst is designed for independent software vendors of all sizes – from emerging startups to established enterprise software providers – who are building the next generation of applications, including AI-powered, cloud-native, and multicloud-ready solutions. The program particularly benefits ISVs with SaaS-based solutions, focused on:
- Generative AI and machine learning applications
- Containerized and serverless architectures
- FinOps and cloud cost optimization tools
- Industry-specific vertical solutions
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