Akamai, one of the historic names in Internet infrastructure and now also a player in cybersecurity and cloud computing, has introduced ISV Catalyst, a new partner program designed specifically for independent software vendors (ISVs). The move comes at a time when the cloud market is undergoing an accelerated transition: companies are demanding AI-ready applications capable of running in multi-cloud environments with more predictable costs, while software providers seek faster paths to reach customers without relying on endless integrations or opaque agreements.
Akamai’s proposal targets a very specific issue in the ecosystem: the relationship between cloud platforms and ISVs is often fraught with friction. From complex onboarding and certification processes to collaborative models that, in practice, disadvantage smaller players. ISV Catalyst aims to simplify that first step with a referral-based program and incentives for new providers to build, market, and sell solutions on Akamai’s distributed cloud platform.
A “fast track” to the partner ecosystem, with a key condition: the first year with no referral fees
The most notable aspect of the announcement is the elimination of referral fees during the first year for ISVs entering the program. This measure aims to lower the entry barrier for both startups and established software providers. Essentially, Akamai is trying to ensure that initial costs don’t become a hindrance when the goal is to grow and gain market traction.
Beyond that, ISV Catalyst offers a package of advantages focused on visibility and market access: opportunities for co-marketing with Akamai, prominent placement in its technology partner directory, and increased exposure to its global sales force. The core message is clear: for many ISVs, the challenge isn’t just creating a good product but ensuring that businesses discover and adopt it within a trusted environment.
Akamai frames the program within a unified partner strategy. According to Zak Putnam, business development executive at the company, the intention is for the ecosystem to have “different pathways” for participation depending on the type of partner: from deep integrations to more straightforward and accessible approaches.
Why now: cloud moves toward AI, multicloud, and portable applications
The launch coincides with companies accelerating plans to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into processes and products, which involves architectural changes: more containers, greater automation, increased observability, and a growing sensitivity to latency and cloud operation costs. For ISVs, there’s an additional challenge: their clients no longer want “locked-in” solutions tied to a single platform or region, but tools that are portable, scalable, and quickly deployable.
ISV Catalyst targets precisely these kinds of providers: those developing SaaS software that need a commercial and technical framework to move fast. Akamai highlights areas such as:
- Applications of generative AI and machine learning.
- Containerized and serverless architectures.
- Tools for FinOps and cloud cost optimization.
- Vertical solutions tailored to specific industries.
Fundamentally, Akamai is signaling to the market: its distributed cloud—with capabilities close to the edge—aims to be a place where not only applications are deployed, but where a catalog of “enterprise-ready” solutions is built through specialized partners.
A program that coexists with Partner Connect and Qualified Compute
ISV Catalyst isn’t created in a vacuum. Akamai already has other elements in its ecosystem, such as Akamai Partner Connect and the Qualified Compute Program. The difference, according to the company, lies in the depth: while the Qualified Compute Program targets more comprehensive technical integrations and advanced interoperability (for close alliances), ISV Catalyst serves as a simpler entry point to expand participation in the ecosystem.
In other words: Akamai aims to cover the entire spectrum—from ISVs that need a quick ramp-up to start selling, to partners requiring more extensive technical integration.
Launch partners: live video, content protection, and secure data transfer
The announcement was also supported by statements from several partners that exemplify the types of software Akamai wants to attract. These include companies focused on live video streaming, low latency, content protection, and secure data transfer:
- Norsk, focused on live video workflows, emphasizes that their availability on Akamai Cloud eases access and pricing, with the comfort of operating on “proven” infrastructure.
- Redflag AI, specialized in watermarking and content security, highlights the appeal of integrating into an environment already used by major entertainment and streaming players to activate new layers of protection.
- SFTPGo, related to file transfer and management, underscores the robustness of the service, global reach, and cost predictability for scaling.
- Vindral, oriented to low latency streaming and synchronization, stresses that delivering high-quality live video at scale requires a reliable global foundation.
- Myota, focused on data protection, argues that the program helps companies discover solutions they “didn’t know they needed,” leveraging ecosystem credibility.
Akamai also emphasizes that their approach is selective: ISV Catalyst is presented as a curated group of providers assessed for technical and business fit, aiming to help clients find solutions that work well with their deployments on Akamai Cloud.
A commitment to “catalog” as a competitive advantage
In an increasingly homogeneous cloud market—virtual machines, networks, storage—differentiation is tending toward the ecosystem: specialized tools, industry solutions, and software that reduce onboarding time. With ISV Catalyst, Akamai seeks to accelerate this dynamic and build a more visible array of applications and services on its platform.
For ISVs, the promise is twofold: less friction to enter and more visibility for commercial opportunities. For Akamai, the goal is to attract innovation and demand to its distributed cloud at a time when AI and edge computing are redefining where and how applications are run. And for end customers, the expectation is straightforward: find compatible, ready-to-use solutions without navigating a maze of integrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Akamai’s ISV Catalyst program, and who is it for?
It’s a partner program for independent software vendors looking to build, market, and sell solutions on Akamai’s distributed cloud, especially in SaaS, multi-cloud, and AI applications.
What benefits does ISV Catalyst offer to a software startup seeking enterprise customers?
It reduces entry barriers, waives referral fees for the first year, and provides visibility through co-marketing, presence in the partner directory, and access to Akamai’s sales channels.
How does ISV Catalyst differ from Akamai’s Qualified Compute Program?
ISV Catalyst offers a more direct and commercial entry point to the ecosystem, while Qualified Compute focuses on deeper technical integrations and advanced interoperability.
What types of solutions does Akamai prioritize within ISV Catalyst?
Applications involving AI and machine learning, containerized and serverless architectures, FinOps tools for cost optimization, and industry-specific vertical solutions.
via: Akamai