ISV Buddy Program

What is the Microsoft ISV Buddy Program?

The Microsoft ISV Buddy Program is all about connecting you, the Independent Software Vendor, with a Microsoft employee who will be your point person within Microsoft. It's about putting a face to Microsoft and helping you get timely answers to your questions and requests. Through this 1-on-1 relationship, your Microsoft buddy will be able to guide you to resources and help you succeed in building solutions on Microsoft platforms.

What's in it for me?

As an ISV buddy you'll have the opportunity to build a 1-on-1 relationship with a Microsoft employee. Through your Microsoft buddy, you will gain access to a wealth of resources and get timely answers to your questions. In order to get the most from this program, make sure to contact your buddy at least once a month.

ISV Buddy Roundtable

Read the complete ISV Buddy Program Guide

> ISV Buddy video #1
Listen in on this ISV Buddy roundtable discussion hosted by Kari Martin to hear what partners and Microsoft employees have to say about the program. (13:20)

> ISV Buddy video #2:
Avi Sagiv, Program Manager at Microsoft, talks about the ISV Buddy Program. (9:14)

Who can participate?

If your company is actively developing software solutions on Microsoft platforms/technologies for one or more external customers then you are eligible to participate in the program.

How do I get started?

Complete the profile form, which enables the system to search for a Microsoft employee who matches your profile in the following categories: role, location, product expertise, tools & technologies, and language spoken. Selecting multiple responses in each category can increase your chance to be matched but it might also dilute your focus.

What should I expect after submitting the profile?

If the system immediately identifies one or more possible matches, you will be presented with a list of those possible buddies to choose from. If you select one of the potential candidates offered you will receive an email on behalf of that Microsoft buddy inviting you to become their ISV buddy. Simply follow the directions in that email to complete your registration and your new Microsoft buddy will contact you within two weeks.

If you are not presented with a list upon submitting your profile, the matching system will continue to search for possible matches. When one or more matches have been identified, (based on the profile that you submitted) you will receive an email advising you of potential matches. (Information you provide is kept confidential. Please review our Privacy Statement for details.)

Please note that buddies are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, so it's possible that the potential buddy/ies identified for you might no longer be available when you will click on the "View and Select a Buddy" link. If that’s your case, we apologize in advance and assure you that you’ll receive a new match notification email each time the system identifies a potential buddy for you. We are recruiting more employees into the buddy program in order to minimize this "no-match found" scenario. In the meantime, we recommend that you try to respond to our email invitation as quickly as possible to maximize your chances of getting a buddy.

More questions? E-mail the Microsoft ISV Buddy Team!