AWS runs dozens of partner programs, and the list changes every year. For a software company or a services firm, the hard part isn't finding the programs — it's knowing which ones matter for you, in what order, and what each one asks in return.
This guide maps the AWS Partner Network (APN) as it stands in 2026: how the pieces fit together, what changed this year, and where we suggest you start.
How the programs fit together
Think of the APN as four layers. Each layer builds on the one before it.
- Paths — how you work with AWS: selling software, delivering services, training, distribution or hardware.
- Tiers and validations — how far along you are. More validation unlocks more benefits.
- Specializations — proof of expertise in a use case, industry or AWS service, such as Competencies.
- Go-to-market and funding programs — the programs that bring you deals and money, such as ISV Accelerate, AWS Marketplace incentives and migration funding.
Most of the value sits in layer four, but you usually can't reach it without the first three.
1. Partner paths
Every partner joins one or more paths. You can be on several at once — many of our customers are on both the Software and Services paths.
| Path | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Software | Companies selling software that runs on or integrates with AWS — SaaS, AI products, data tools. |
| Services | Consulting, professional and managed services firms that build and run workloads for customers. |
| Training | Companies that deliver AWS training and certification. |
| Distribution | Distributors that recruit and support resellers. |
| Hardware | Device and hardware makers whose products connect to AWS. |
2. Tiers and validations
Services path: Select, Advanced and Premier
Services partners move up three tiers. Each one asks for more certified people and more launched customer work. At the time of writing, the main requirements are:
| Select | Advanced | Premier | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical certifications | 2 | 6 (3 Professional or Specialty) | 25 (10 Professional or Specialty) |
| Launched opportunities | 3 | 20 | 50 |
| Monthly revenue from launches | $1,500+ | $10,000+ | $50,000+ |
| Also needed | Accreditations | Partner business plan | Business plan, executive review and 3 validations (incl. MSP, DevOps or CloudOps) |
Higher tiers bring more visibility to AWS sellers, more funding and a stronger signal to customers. Bytenamics is an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner.
Software path: getting validated
Software partners don't climb tiers in the same way. What matters is getting validated, usually by passing the AWS Foundational Technical Review (FTR) — a security and reliability check of your product. Validation is the gateway to co-selling with AWS and to ISV Accelerate. Earning a Competency or similar designation later makes you differentiated.
3. Specializations
Specializations prove you're good at something specific. AWS sellers use them to choose which partners to bring into deals.
- AWS Competencies — for a use case (such as Migration, Security or Generative AI) or an industry. They need customer references and a technical audit.
- Service Delivery and Service Ready — show you can deliver, or that your software works well with, a specific AWS service.
- Managed Service Provider (MSP) — for partners who run customer environments day to day. It's one of the hardest validations to earn, and one of the most valued.
In 2026, AWS added three new agentic AI categories to its AI specialization, with extra marketing funds for partners who qualify. AWS also made its AI Competency more performance-based: top performers get more go-to-market investment.
4. Go-to-market programs
ACE: co-selling with AWS
The APN Customer Engagements (ACE) program is how you share opportunities with AWS and receive referrals from AWS sellers. Almost every other go-to-market benefit depends on a healthy ACE pipeline. See our guide to what AWS sellers need before they will co-sell your deal.
ISV Accelerate
ISV Accelerate is the main co-sell program for software companies, with more than 1,600 ISVs enrolled. It puts your product in front of AWS account managers — who are rewarded when customers buy partner software through AWS Marketplace private offers.
To join, AWS currently asks for:
- a software product generally available on AWS Marketplace;
- Validated or Differentiated status (usually via the FTR) and ACE eligibility;
- at least 15 qualified ACE opportunities and 5 launched opportunities in the past 12 months;
- someone on your team who has completed the Co-Selling with AWS training;
- a minimum level of recognized AWS revenue.
New for 2026: ISV Accelerate members can earn an extra $25,000 in marketing development funds (MDF), plus regional co-sell workshops. These extras are tied to real co-sell activity, not just being enrolled.
AWS Marketplace programs
Listing on AWS Marketplace lets customers buy your product on their AWS bill and count it toward their AWS spending commitments. Several programs build on it:
- Marketplace Private Offer Promotion Program (MPOPP) — AWS funding to help close private offers. In 2026 it became fully automated, with credits delivered the next day.
- ISV Workload Migration Program (WMP) — credits paid directly to end customers who move to eligible SaaS products bought through Marketplace.
- Channel partner private offers — let resellers sell your product through Marketplace. See selling through AWS resellers.
- Multi-product solutions — new in 2026: bundle products and services from several vendors into one Marketplace offer, with flexible billing for professional services.
Solution Provider and Distribution programs
These programs let services partners resell AWS itself and manage billing for their customers. In 2026 AWS added Billing Transfer, which helps resellers and MSPs manage billing for many customers in one place.
5. Funding programs
AWS funding can cover a large share of the cost of a migration, a proof of concept or a launch. The main programs:
| Program | What it funds |
|---|---|
| Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) | Assessing, planning and running migrations to AWS. Since 2026 it also covers generative and agentic AI built during modernization. |
| Partner Greenfield Program | New for 2026: multi-year co-investment, enablement and co-sell support for partners winning new AWS customers in migration, generative AI and security. |
| AI Assessment Fund | New for 2026: performance-based funding for structured AI assessments with customers, early in the sales cycle. |
| Marketing development funds (MDF) | Joint campaigns, events and lead generation. Amounts depend on your programs and performance. |
| AWS credits for startups | Credits and support for early-stage companies, plus AI benefits through the Global Startup Program. |
AWS decides who qualifies and how much they get. A partner can help you find the right programs and build the business case.
6. What changed in 2026
Beyond the new programs above, three changes affect almost every partner:
- Partner Revenue Measurement (PRM). AWS now measures the revenue you drive using resource tagging, not just registered deals. AWS asked partners to adopt it by 31 July 2026, and programs are starting to use it to decide eligibility and incentives. If you haven't set it up, do it now.
- Partner Central moved into the AWS console. Co-sell, funding and Marketplace tools are in one place, with APIs to connect your CRM and access managed through IAM. AWS is also adding AI agents to cut admin work.
- Rewards follow performance. Across ISV Accelerate, the AI Competency and managed services, the biggest benefits now go to partners who show real customer outcomes — not just badges.
7. Where to start
You don't need every program. Here's the order we usually recommend:
SaaS and AI startups
- Join the APN on the Software path and apply for startup credits.
- Pass the FTR to get validated.
- List on AWS Marketplace — see choosing a pricing model.
- Start sharing opportunities through ACE, then work toward ISV Accelerate.
Growing ISVs
- Get into ISV Accelerate if you aren't already, and set up PRM.
- Use private offers and MPOPP to close larger deals.
- Add channel partner offers and a Competency to reach more AWS sellers.
Services partners
- Reach Select, then Advanced tier: certify your team and track launched opportunities.
- Use MAP and the Partner Greenfield Program to fund customer projects.
- Earn Competencies or the MSP validation in the areas you want to be known for.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Collecting badges without pipeline. In 2026 benefits follow results. Plan how each program brings in customers.
- Leaving ACE to the end. Many programs count your ACE history over the past 12 months. Start sharing deals early.
- Ignoring Marketplace. AWS sellers are rewarded for Marketplace deals, so a listing makes them more likely to bring you in.
- Missing funding. Many customers never ask about MAP or Marketplace credits that could make a deal easier to sign.
How Bytenamics can help
We're an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner. We help software companies pass the FTR, list on AWS Marketplace, get co-sell ready and find the funding they qualify for. See our programs for growing ISVs and for startups.