Software Designations for Industry AI: What Azure ISVs need to know
In 2024, Microsoft announced major updates to its partner program, including the general availability of Copilot for Security across all commerce channels, new Solutions Partner with certified software designations, and SMB-focused pathways for Azure and security partners. In 2025, these changes resulted in a program that allows ISVs to become a Solutions Partner with certified software for Industry AI, giving partners new ways to differentiate and scale in the Microsoft Cloud.
With Microsoft doubling down on generative and especially agentic AI, ISVs selling on Azure Marketplace can stand out to Microsoft sales reps and PDMs by becoming a Solutions Partner with Certified Software Designations for Industry AI.
Here’s what Microsoft Azure ISVs working in AI need to know about Industry AI.
Types of software designations for Industry AI
- Solutions Partner with certified software for Healthcare AI
- Solutions Partner with certified software for Retail AI
- Solutions Partner with certified software for Financial Services AI
- Solutions Partner with certified software for Manufacturing AI
- Solutions Partner with certified software for Sustainability AI
- Solutions Partner with Certified software for Energy AI
- Solutions Partner with Certified software for Telecommunications/Media AI
- Solutions Partner with Certified software for Government AI
- Solutions Partner with Certified software for Education AI
- Solutions Partner with Certified software for Defense & Intelligence AI
- Solutions Partner with Certified software for Non-Profit AI
Becoming a Solutions Partner with Certified Software for Industry AI
Earning a certified software designation for Industry AI isn’t just about building something cool with AI. It’s about proving your solution is enterprise-ready, trusted, and aligned with Microsoft’s vision. Microsoft sets a high bar to ensure that only proven solutions carry the designation. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Partner program membership: You must be enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. If not, sign up for a free account on the Microsoft Partner website.
- Marketplace presence: Your solution needs to be live in the Microsoft commercial marketplace or at least IP co-sell eligible. This is the entry point—how Microsoft and their sellers know your solution is ready for scale.
- Customer proof: Show real-world traction. This could be a strong 4.5+ marketplace rating with 15+ reviews, or two enterprise case studies that highlight business impact. The case studies should specifically show how your solution uses AI to solve industry-specific challenges.
- Technical review and interoperability: Microsoft runs a technical review to ensure your solution works smoothly within the ecosystem. It must be built on a Microsoft Cloud solution area (Azure, Business Applications, Modern Work, or Security) and integrate one or more Microsoft AI capabilities, like an industry-specific Copilot or an application on Microsoft Fabric.
- Solution-area-specific metrics: For example, Azure designations may require $30M in Azure Consumption Commitments (MACC) plus at least five marketplace transactions of $100 or more, or $200M MACC with at least one IP co-sell eligible listing.
- Industry Cloud alignment: Your solution must tie directly to at least one customer scenario defined in Microsoft’s Industry Clouds, ensuring your AI use case is vertical-specific.
- AI validation: Pass a technical audit proving meaningful use of Microsoft AI—extending Copilot, building a custom industry Copilot, developing on Fabric, or creating a foundation model.
The takeaway: A certified Industry AI designation signals more than technical capability. It shows customers and Microsoft sellers that your solution is enterprise-ready, technically validated, and delivering real, measurable impact in its industry.
Completing the application
Getting your certified software designation isn’t complicated, but it does require a few steps inside Partner Center. Here’s how it works:
- Begin in Partner Center. Your company’s Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program admin is the one who needs to start the process.
- Head to the right spot. From the dashboard, navigate to Membership > Specializations > Solutions Partner with certified software.
- Submit your proof. Microsoft will ask for specific information and documentation to validate your solution—think of this as your application packet.
- Track your progress. You can monitor the status in real time, and once you’re approved, you’ll unlock designation benefits plus an official badge to showcase in marketplace and marketing.
Benefits of a certified software designation in industry AI
- Customer trust: Stand out in the marketplace with Microsoft-certified badging—buyers look for proof points when evaluating solutions.
- Seller visibility: Get surfaced to Microsoft’s global salesforce through solution play cards and prioritized discovery.
- Go-to-market fuel: Access ready-made assets—solution briefs, nurture emails, and more—to accelerate demand generation.
- Expert support: Work with marketing concierge experts to maximize benefits and sharpen your GTM execution.
- Incentives & co-sell: Unlock Azure ISV incentives and qualify for top-tier joint sales opportunities with Microsoft.
The bottom line
Earning a certified software designation for Industry AI is more than a credential—it’s a signal that your solution is enterprise-ready, trusted, and delivering real impact in its industry. For ISVs, it provides a direct path to greater visibility with Microsoft sellers, increased customer trust, and access to go-to-market resources and co-sell opportunities. As Microsoft continues to invest in generative and agentic AI, these designations offer a clear way to differentiate your solutions, scale in the Microsoft Cloud, and align with the future of Industry AI.
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