Maven Collective launches FY27 Microsoft Partner growth survey

Maven Collective Marketing has launched a new global survey to track how Microsoft Partners are adapting to shifting ecosystem priorities and which strategies are driving growth. The findings will feed a 2027 benchmark report for Partners across regions, industries and solution areas.

Why it matters: - Microsoft’s partner ecosystem includes more than 500,000 organizations worldwide, making changes in partner strategy and performance material to how Microsoft reaches customers. - The survey is designed to show which investments are paying off as Partners navigate cloud, security, data and AI demand. - The results will shape a 2027 benchmark that could help Partners compare performance and identify growth opportunities.

What happened: - Maven Collective Marketing launched its FY27 Microsoft Partner Global Partnership Survey on Oct. 1, 2026. - The firm is asking Microsoft Partners across all regions and specializations to participate. - Partners who complete the survey will get early access to Maven Collective’s 2027 Microsoft Partner Global Benchmark & Success Index.

The details: - The new survey looks at Microsoft engagement, distributor relationships and funding realities. - It also examines where Partners are seeing customer demand and how they are building AI service capabilities. - The survey includes questions about how Partners are preparing for Microsoft’s Frontier Transformation. - Maven Collective said the survey will inform updated benchmarks on the strategies, investments and behaviors associated with growth. - The 2027 Index will break results out by Partner type and Solution Partner Designation area. - Maven Collective’s prior 2026 benchmark analyzed more than 185,000 data points from 300+ Partners across six continents. - That prior study found 87% of Microsoft Partners were listed on at least one Microsoft Marketplace. - The same study found 58% had received a Microsoft-sourced lead. - It also found 77% held at least one Solution Partner Designation. - It found 76% participated in a Microsoft-sponsored industry association.

Between the lines: - The survey signals that Microsoft Partner growth is being judged less on broad participation and more on which partner behaviors translate into measurable business results. - The emphasis on AI services and Frontier Transformation suggests the next phase of partner competition will be shaped by new technical skills and execution, not just channel presence. - The benchmark focus by partner type and designation area should make comparisons more actionable for firms trying to understand where they stand.

What's next: - Maven Collective will compile the survey findings into its 2027 Microsoft Partner Global Benchmark & Success Index. - The company says the report will include insights into growth strategies, benchmarks by partner type and designation area, and data on what top performers do differently. - Maven Collective is inviting Microsoft Partners to complete the survey now. - The firm says the survey will also help create a global benchmark for how the Microsoft Partner ecosystem is evolving. - Media interviews with Erica Hakonson and additional data from the 2026 Index are available through Maven Collective Marketing.

The bottom line: - Maven Collective is using its new survey to track how Microsoft Partners can turn ecosystem shifts into growth, with a 2027 benchmark report to follow.