Winning in 2026 and beyond: Key insights from Ultimate Partner’s Livestream
2026 is reshaping partner strategy at a pace we’ve never seen before. AI, cloud marketplaces, ecosystem-led growth, and shifting buyer behavior are transforming how partners influence, co-sell, and win. During Ultimate Partner’s January 13 livestream, analyst Jay McBain and Microsoft leader Cyril Belikoff offered deep insight into the trends defining the year ahead. Cyril Belikoff,(VP of Commercial Cloud & AI Marketing at Microsoft) Key takeaways Frontier Firm Framework: Enrich Employee Experiences → Reinvent Customer Engagement → Reshape Business Processes → Bend the Innovation Curve. Microsoft introduced Work IQ, Fabric IQ, and Foundry IQ to help organizations operationalize AI. Agent 365 enables governance, security, and observability for AI agents. Microsoft Marketplace is now unified into a single experience and growing rapidly. Resale-Enabled Offers (REO) unleash scale by connecting ISVs with resellers/MSPs globally. Jay McBain (Chief Analyst at Omdia) Key takeaways “Opportunity — that’s the word for partners in 2026.” Tech is expected to grow more than 10%, with massive upside in AI-related services. 96% of enterprise deals involve multiple partners. Co-selling and influence—not resale—drive the majority of wins. Marketplaces are accelerating. Indirect influence is rising even in areas where resale declines. “Early partner involvement determines who wins the deal.” Visibility into the ecosystem is becoming essential. Many deals are shaped months before a vendor or seller ever see activity. Certifications matter. 80%+ of customers evaluate partners based on competencies and continuous learning. AI services are the fastest-growing partner opportunity, with >35% CAGR projected through 2030. Partner action plan for 2026 Invest in continuous AI upskilling and certifications. Use ecosystem tools to detect early influence moments. Publish or resell offers in Microsoft Marketplace. Prioritize data modernization to unlock AI impact. Lean into co-selling and multi-partner orchestration. The partners who embrace ecosystem visibility, continuous learning, and marketplace-driven growth will be best positioned to win in 2026 and beyond. If you missed the livestream, you can watch a recap here: Podcast - Ultimate Guide to Partnering® Join the movement Ultimate Partner® is built for one thing: helping partnership leaders achieve their greatest results by staying ahead of the tectonic shifts in AI, marketplace, co-sell, and ecosystem-led growth. Learn More and attend upcoming events here: Events - Ultimate Guide to Partnering®Microsoft Ignite- Meaningful Announcements That Create Real Movement
Now that we are officially in 2026, I want to reflect back on Microsoft Ignite as it was more energized than ever. There is real momentum right now across Microsoft Marketplace, and the most meaningful shift I am seeing is around REO( Reseller Enabled Offer )capability. This is opening the door for partners to take Marketplace offers and bring them directly into new regions, new customer segments, and new routes to market without adding operational friction for either side. A true channel selling motion! For ISVs, REO means you can authorize trusted partners to resell your Marketplace offer in the way that works best for the customer. You no longer need to manage every deal yourself. For partners, it means instant access to in demand AI and security solutions that customers are already asking for. It removes barriers, it speeds up the process, and it connects the ecosystem in a much more natural way. If anyone in the community is exploring REO, private offers, multiparty models, or Marketplace strategy in general, it would be great to hear from you or reach out and would love to discuss. Looking forward to connecting with everyone in the new year. justinroyal2026 Is different—Are you ready to win?
2026 Is different—Are you ready to win? 2026 isn’t just another year—it’s a turning point. Cloud go-to-market strategies are being rewritten in real time by AI, marketplaces, co-sell, and ecosystem-led growth. The hard truth? If your strategy isn’t fully aligned this year, you’re going to feel it. That’s why Ultimate Partner is kicking off the year with a must-attend free livestream designed to give you clarity and actionable steps—not theory. On January 13 | 11:00–12:30 pm ET, Vince Menzione, CEO of Ultimate Partner will join two industry leaders for an inside look at what’s next: Jay McBain, Chief Analyst at Omdia, will share his predictions for 2026 and beyond. Cyril Belikoff, VP of Commercial Cloud & AI Marketing at Microsoft, will reveal exciting changes at Microsoft and how to align your GTM strategy for success. This is your chance to ask the tough questions during a LIVE Q&A and walk away with insights you can put into action immediately. ______________________________________________________ 📅 January 13 | 11:00–12:30 pm ET 🎥 Livestream: “Winning in 2026 and Beyond” 👉 Register for FREE: HEREMicrosoft Marketplace offer live? Make it shine. 🌟
App Advisorgives you the fastest path from listing to momentum: clear steps to optimize, promote, and convert on Microsoft Marketplace. Get the practical, step‑by‑step guidance in our new post - then open App Advisor to put it into action. 🔗 Learn more here.Excited about the Microsoft Marketplace?
Good morning, as the former BizApps PDM at Microsoft driving 100's of ISV solutions to the marketplace I wanted to ensure the community realized that the marketplace is now driving leads directly to partners from customers around the world exploring the marketplace. If you have been in the marketplace for a few months and are seeing little interest or leads it should guide you to further optimize your listing and also do a competitive analysis of other solutions in the marketplace. I am and have always been excited about the Microsoft Marketplace and hope you are too! - John O'Donnell https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnodonnellmsft/Scale smarter: Discover how resale enabled offers drive growth
Friday, December 5 | 11:00 12:00 PM GTM+1 online event Discover how resale enabled offers (REO) help software development companies scale through the Microsoft Marketplace by simplifying transactions, expanding reach and accelerating co-sell opportunities. Why attend? Simplify multi-party transactions Expand your global reach through resellers Accelerate co-sell opportunities and close more deals Reserve your spot now to start unlocking new growth opportunitiesYou’ve built your app, it’s on Marketplace… now what?
Your solution is live on Microsoft Marketplace – so what’s next? How do you make the most of this opportunity? What benefits can you unlock? And what practical steps will set you up for long-term success? As a Partner Solutions Sales Manager at Microsoft, I work with partners every day who’ve just published to Marketplace and want to accelerate their impact. That’s why I’ve launched a new blog series designed to help you go beyond “listing” and start thriving. In this first edition, I share: Best practices for getting started How to move from visibility to real growth The key signal that shows your solution is well-architected …and more. Check out the full post on the Marketplace Community Blog: Your next big move: Thriving in the reimagined Microsoft Marketplace | Microsoft Community Hub
New To The Community
Hello ISV Success Community, As a new member to the community, I decided to start with an introduction. I’m Aubin Bakana, Founder and CTIO (Chief Technology & Innovation Officer) of Baobab Logix LTD, now based in Leeds, UK. I lead technology and innovation, driving solutions that are secure, ethical, and intelligent. At Baobab Logix, we’re building future-ready platforms that empower businesses to thrive. One of our flagship innovations is KeepComm Intel, a next-generation contact center solution that combines AI-driven automation with human-in-the-loop architecture for speed, accuracy, and trust. As a Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Harvard CS50 certified, and full-stack developer, I bring deep technical expertise and a vision for sustainable innovation. I’m here to connect, collaborate, and share insights with fellow innovators who believe in shaping technology for good. Looking forward to engaging with this amazing community and exploring opportunities to build impactful solutions together! thank you.
App Advisor updates: Build smarter, publish faster with these new features
The App Advisor experience has been enhanced to help you build smarter and publish faster to the Microsoft Marketplace. The six new features make it easier to stay focused, move faster, and scale smarter with apps and agents. Whether you are in the planning, building, or publishing phase of your journey, the new features are designed to meet you where you are, offering curated guidance and actionable insights. Learn how the updates can help you today. Build smarter, publish faster: Here’s what’s new in App Advisor
