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Azure Accelerate

Fuel cloud transformation with experts and investments across your cloud and AI journey—with one unified offering across all core scenarios designed to reduce financial barriers and support successful deployment.

One unified offering across all core scenarios

Migrate and modernize your estate, innovate with Azure AI apps and agents, and unify your data platform.

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Work with trusted experts
  • Tap into the expertise of the Microsoft partner ecosystem.

  • Engage with our Cloud Accelerate Factory for zero-cost deployment assistance.

  • Gain access to experts across industries, customers, and project sizes.

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Unlock Microsoft investments
  • Get funding for all project types and phases to deliver faster outcomes.

  • Benefit from lower initial costs with Azure credits while advancing cloud adoption.

  • Skill up your teams with on-demand content and customized training.

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Succeed with comprehensive resources
  • Use assessments and AI-enhanced tools to simplify your cloud transition.

  • Get support across project stages—proof of concept (POC), pilots, and full deployments.

  • Get backing for scenarios across migrations, databases, apps, and AI.

Grow your business with partner benefits and resources

Announcing Cloud Accelerate Factory

Microsoft expert-assisted delivery that can help rapidly and reliably move workloads to Azure at no additional cost—now accessible in Partner Center.

Start your learning journey

Empower tech and sales teams with dedicated partner skilling for high-demand cloud and AI scenarios.

Empower cloud and AI adoption with Azure Essentials

Explore technical methodologies and tools derived from real-world customer experiences.

Protect workloads and applications

Incorporate strong security practices early in the development process, and protect applications and resources from code to cloud.

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Engagement model

With a streamlined nomination process, you can nominate directly in Partner Center, or your Microsoft account team can nominate on your behalf for deals larger than $500 in Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR)† per year.

1. Earn relevant specializations or designations to access Azure Accelerate and benefits like Cloud Accelerate Factory.

2. Nominate your customer through the automated workflow in Partner Center or through your Microsoft account team.

3. Execute the project and submit proof of execution (POE).

4. Receive approval and funding in 45 days or less.

Learn how to nominate

View the how-to video

Earn incentives for supported scenarios

Nominate projects for partner-led cloud migration, modernization, and AI innovation. Select your partner type to explore supported scenarios and requirements.

Partners providing services

Partners who develop software

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is Azure Accelerate?
Azure Accelerate is a unified offering within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program that brings together Azure Migrate and Modernize, Azure Innovate, and Cloud Accelerate Factory—built on the foundation of Azure Essentials. Azure Accelerate can help our mutual customers fuel cloud transformation by giving access to trusted experts (including our extensive Microsoft partner ecosystem), unlocking Microsoft investments, and providing comprehensive resources that help reduce financial barriers and support successful deployments.
What is the value of having a partner offering?

These offerings are built specifically for qualified partners in the partner program who have demonstrated their capabilities by earning an Azure designation or specialization. While all benefits are available to Azure Expert Managed Services Providers (MSPs) and partners with Azure specializations, some benefits—such as Cloud Accelerate Factory and Azure SMB engagements—are also open to partners with Azure Solutions Partner designations. The benefits of Azure Accelerate include:

  • One unified offering within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program with support for customers across industries.
  • Fast approvals via automated workflows within Partner Center.
  • Exclusive incentives for partners with Azure designations and specializations.
  • Access to Azure Migrate and Dr. Migrate tooling ‡, built to give you more capabilities for migration and modernization planning.
  • Zero-cost delivery assistance alongside Cloud Accelerate Factory experts when you need it.
  • Richer investments and consistent ROI across products and scenarios.
  • Increased sales velocity with go-to-market support to facilitate agility and scale.

‡ Dr. Migrate is only available for Azure Expert MSPs and partners with the following Azure specializations: Infra & Database Migration, Kubernetes, Migrate Enterprise Applications, SAP, Analytics, Data Warehouse Migration, Build AI Apps, Accelerate Developer Productivity, and AI Platform.
If my scenario is not covered, what should I do?
We typically introduce expanded scenarios and benefits throughout the year, so keep checking the scenarios page for updates. For managed partners, we recommend working with your Microsoft partner development manager or engaging the local Microsoft field sales team to stay in the know. You can also join our Azure Accelerate private partner community and find links to attend upcoming office hours.
What phases of customer deployment are supported in Azure Accelerate?
  • Pre-sales: assessments, proof of execution (POE), pilots
  • Post-sales: deployments
Can you summarize the benefits of Azure Essentials for customers?

Azure Essentials provides technical methodologies and tools––derived from real-world customer experience––to accelerate your cloud and AI adoption journey.

  • Establish a foundation for successful cloud and AI adoption at the start of every project.
  • Implement with the latest design and governance to achieve reliable, secure, and sustainable projects.
  • Manage and optimize every project to deliver business and IT objectives.
How do I nominate my customers or my own project?

Learn more about Azure Accelerate, then go to the nomination page when you’re ready to nominate.

What are the investments and benefits for software development companies?
We’ve expanded the Software development company Success benefits and incentives for AI projects. For software companies currently eligible for software development company offerings or those who have attained a Solutions Partner* with certified software** designation, the software development company Success Advanced Package now includes cash incentives to help build and deploy AI apps and support end-customer migrations to their cloud apps.

Learn how partners add value with Azure

 Virtusa supports cloud migration with Azure offerings
Virtusa supports customers throughout the stages of their cloud migration journey with skilled support and funding from Azure Migrate and Modernize.
3Cloud helps customers scale with Azure
3Cloud helps customers accelerate their migration journey and achieve scale with Azure Migrate and Modernize.
Claranet fuels customer growth with Azure offerings
Claranet maximizes Azure offerings to support customer growth and transformation in a quickly changing landscape.
SNP Technologies accelerates customer migration to Azure
SNP Technologies drives successful cloud transformation for customers efficiently and effectively with Azure Migrate and Modernize.

Partner Resources

* “Solutions Partner” refers to a company that is a member of the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and may offer software, services, and/or solutions to customers. Reference to “Solutions Partner” in any content, materials, resources, web properties, etc. and any associated designation should be not interpreted as an offer, endorsement, guarantee, proof of effectiveness or functionality, a commitment or any other type of representation or warranty on the part of Microsoft. All decisions pertaining and related to your business needs including but not limited to strategies, solutions, partner selection, implementation, etc., rests solely with your business.

** A certification is (1) specific to the solution’s interoperability with Microsoft products and (2) based on self-attestation by the solution owner.  Solutions are only certified as of the date the solution is reviewed. Solution functionality and capability are controlled by the solution owner and may be subject to change. The inclusion of a solution in marketplace and any such designations should not be interpreted as an offer, endorsement, guarantee, proof of effectiveness or functionality, a commitment or any other type of representation or warranty on the part of Microsoft. All decisions pertaining and related to your business needs including but not limited to strategies, solutions, partner selection, implementation, etc., rests solely with your business.

+ Throughout this document, $ refers to US dollar (USD).