Azure Accelerate: What It Is, Who’s Eligible, and How CSP Partners Should Use It

 If you sell Azure through the CSP program, you’ve probably heard the term Azure Accelerate used in partner calls, emails, or slide decks. You may also have heard related names like Azure Migrate and Modernize or Azure Innovate. For many partners, the programs blur together and feel complicated, or worse, easy to ignore.

That’s a mistake.

Azure Accelerate is one of the most useful tools Microsoft provides to help partners close Azure deals, fund projects, and reduce risk for customers. When used properly, it can shorten sales cycles, offset delivery costs, and help you win workloads that might otherwise stall.

This blog breaks it down clearly:

• What Azure Accelerate actually is
• Which programs sit under it
• When partners and customers become eligible
• How CSP resellers should practically use these programs to drive Azure growth

What Azure Accelerate Actually Is

Azure Accelerate is Microsoft’s umbrella framework for funding, technical support, and go-to-market assistance tied to Azure projects. It’s not a single program you “sign up” for. Instead, it’s a collection of offers designed to accelerate customer adoption of Azure across different scenarios.

The two programs CSP partners will interact with most are:

1. Azure Migrate and Modernize
2. Azure Innovate

Each program targets a different type of Azure workload, but they share the same goals:

• Reduce customer cost and risk
• Incentivize partners to move faster
• Drive Azure consumption

Microsoft uses Azure Accelerate to invest directly into partner-led deals that align with their strategic priorities. If you know when and how to position it, it becomes a real advantage in competitive situations.

Azure Migrate and Modernize: The Foundation Program

What It’s For

Azure Migrate and Modernize is focused on:

• Migrating existing workloads to Azure
• Modernizing infrastructure once it’s there

Typical workloads include:

• Windows Server
• SQL Server
• Linux VMs
• VMware and Hyper-V environments
• Legacy on-prem applications that can be refactored or rehosted

If the customer is running something today and wants it in Azure, this is usually the starting point.

What Microsoft Provides

Depending on the deal size and scenario, Microsoft can offer:

• Azure credits to offset consumption
• Partner funding for assessments, migrations, and modernization work
• Technical resources to assist with architecture and deployment
• Sales support to help unblock stalled deals

This funding is not automatic. It must be aligned to a qualified opportunity and approved through Microsoft’s internal process. That’s where distributors and partner managers play a key role.

When Customers Become Eligible

Customers are generally eligible when:

• They are new to Azure or significantly expanding usage
• The workloads are net new to Azure
• There is a clear migration or modernization plan
• The opportunity meets Microsoft’s minimum consumption thresholds

The bigger and clearer the migration, the easier it is to secure funding.

When Partners Become Eligible

From a partner standpoint:

• You must be transacting Azure through CSP
• You must be the delivery or primary influence partner
• You must have the appropriate Microsoft partner designations or solution alignment
• You must be able to execute the workload

This doesn’t mean only large partners qualify. Smaller and mid-size CSPs can absolutely leverage this program, especially when working with a distributor to package the opportunity correctly.

Azure Innovate: Building New Solutions in Azure

What It’s For

Azure Innovate is designed for:

• Net new cloud-native applications
• Application modernization beyond simple migration
• Data, analytics, AI, and app innovation projects
• ISV and IP-based solutions built on Azure

If the customer is not just “moving servers” but actively building or transforming applications, Azure Innovate is the right program.

What Microsoft Provides

Azure Innovate can include:

• Funding for architecture design and development
• Azure credits to support build and test environments
• Technical specialists to guide complex solutions
• Co-sell and go-to-market support for partner IP

This program is especially valuable for partners who develop repeatable solutions or vertical-specific offerings.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility is based on:

• Clear business outcomes tied to Azure services
• Net new Azure consumption
• A defined solution architecture
• Partner capability to deliver the solution

Microsoft is very focused here on quality. They want solutions that scale, perform, and showcase Azure services effectively.

How Azure Accelerate Fits into the CSP Motion

One common misconception is that Azure Accelerate is only for Enterprise Agreement customers. That’s no longer true.

Microsoft actively supports CSP-led Azure Accelerate opportunities, provided they meet the right criteria. In fact, Microsoft prefers CSP for long-term Azure growth because of:

• Recurring revenue
• Partner-led relationships
• Ongoing consumption expansion

As a CSP reseller, Azure Accelerate allows you to:

• Reduce upfront cost objections
• Justify project investment
• Differentiate from commodity Azure resellers
• Win larger, stickier deals

How Partners Should Use Azure Accelerate in Real Life

1. Lead with the Business Outcome, Not the Funding

Azure Accelerate should never be the first thing you mention to a customer. Lead with:

• The problem you’re solving
• The business value of Azure
• The technical approach

Once the opportunity is clear, funding becomes the enabler, not the pitch.

2. Identify Accelerate-Eligible Opportunities Early

Look for deals that include:

• Data center exits
• OS or SQL end-of-support events
• App performance or scalability issues
• Cost optimization projects
• New digital initiatives

If Azure is central to the solution, there’s a good chance Accelerate applies.

3. Engage Your Distributor Early

Distributors play a critical role in:

• Validating eligibility
• Aligning with Microsoft field teams
• Submitting funding requests
• Tracking approvals and milestones

Waiting until the deal is almost closed limits what Microsoft can do to help.

4. Package the Deal Cleanly

Microsoft cares about clarity. The strongest Accelerate submissions include:

• A clear customer story
• Defined workloads
• A realistic timeline
• Expected Azure consumption
• A capable delivery partner

Messy deals get delayed. Clean deals get approved.

5. Deliver What You Commit To

Once funding is approved:

• Hit your milestones
• Document your work
• Communicate progress

Azure Accelerate is relationship-driven. Partners who execute well get more support in future deals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming funding is guaranteed – it’s not
• Waiting too long to ask – timing matters
• Overselling the incentive – it’s a support tool, not a discount program
• Underestimating delivery effort – Microsoft expects quality execution

Avoid these, and the program works in your favor.

Why Azure Accelerate Matters More Than Ever

Azure competition is fierce. Customers have options. Budgets are tighter. At the same time, Microsoft is heavily invested in:

• Cloud migration
• Application modernization
• AI and data platforms

Azure Accelerate is how Microsoft puts money behind those priorities. Partners who understand and use it effectively will:

• Close more Azure deals
• Deliver larger projects
• Build deeper customer relationships
• Increase long-term Azure consumption

Final Thoughts

Azure Accelerate is not just a Microsoft incentive. It’s a strategic tool for CSP resellers who want to grow beyond basic Azure resale.

If you:

• Sell Azure today
• Want to lead more complex projects
• Want help funding and closing deals

Then Azure Accelerate should be part of your standard sales and delivery motion.

As your distributor, our role is to help you navigate these programs, position opportunities correctly, and get the most value from Microsoft’s investment. If you’re unsure whether an opportunity qualifies, ask early. That conversation alone can change the outcome of a deal.

Reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss how Microsoft investment programs can help you close more deals.