GitLab Expands MSP Program for AI-Driven DevSecOps

GitLab is expanding its managed services strategy with a new MSP partner program designed to help providers deliver agentic AI capabilities across the full software development lifecycle while addressing enterprise data sovereignty and compliance requirements.

GitLab targets enterprise demand for agentic AI across the software lifecycle

Enterprises are accelerating AI adoption but often encounter bottlenecks outside of code generation. 

While AI coding assistants can increase developer productivity, challenges remain in planning, CI/CD pipelines, security reviews, compliance checks, and cross-team handoffs.

GitLab’s platform aims to address that gap by enabling AI agents to automate tasks throughout the software lifecycle in a governed environment. 

The expanded MSP program allows partners to operationalize those capabilities as a managed service.

“GitLab is well-positioned to provide MSPs with a single managed service offering for the entire software development lifecycle. This program strengthens our commitment to the MSP channel and positions our partners to capture growing demand for agentic AI automation across the software development lifecycle,” said Ian Steward, chief revenue officer at GitLab. 

“By enabling MSPs to deliver our complete platform as a managed service, we’re creating a scalable path to market that benefits partners, customers, and GitLab’s long-term growth strategy. We’re looking forward to seeing all that our partners will accomplish under this program,” Steward continued.

Program incentives aim to deepen MSP engagement

GitLab said the enhanced MSP program includes standard partner margins plus an additional MSP premium on all transactions. 

Partners retain 100% of fees tied to deployment, migration, training, and consulting services.

Additional benefits include:

• priority support and escalation channels 
• not-for-resale licenses to build internal expertise and demonstrate the platform 
• quarterly technical bootcamps
• marketing development funds with co-branding opportunities

Data sovereignty and compliance drive MSP deployment flexibility

GitLab said demand for managed deployment options that meet local data residency requirements has been particularly strong in EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific. 

Under the expanded program, MSPs can deploy GitLab — including agentic AI capabilities — in MSP-owned data centers, colocation facilities, on customer premises, or within hyperscaler environments.

“We’re seeing strong demand from enterprises that want to adopt agentic AI across the software lifecycle, capabilities like GitLab Duo Agent Platform, while maintaining strict control over their data and compliance posture,” said Alex Picker, GitLab’s vice president of global ecosystems. 

“Our enhanced program addresses this challenge by enabling MSP partners to deliver GitLab’s intelligent orchestration platform within whatever hosting environment helps them meet their customers’ requirements,” Picker continued.

GitLab partners praise security and ease of delivering services

Channel partners framed the program as a way to expand secure, AI-native DevSecOps services for enterprise customers with complex governance requirements.

“The GitLab MSP program strengthens our partnership with GitLab, enabling us to deliver certified, secure, and highly available GitLab services faster, driving immediate value to the end customer,” said Matthew Hope, global cloud practice lead at Adaptavist. 

“The MSP program reinforces our commitment to delivering aligned, tailored GitLab managed services and enables our customers to maximise their GitLab investment and realise the full benefits of the latest features, including GitLab Duo Agent Platform,” Hope continued.

“As a partner dedicated to digital sovereignty, GitLab’s enhanced MSP program allows us to further scale our 24/7 global services for clients with complex requirements,” said Gil Oliveira, chief commercial officer at Adfinis. “By combining our deep expertise in migration and consolidation with GitLab’s AI-native platform, we ensure our customers can innovate rapidly while maintaining full control over their data and infrastructure.”

For MSPs serving enterprise DevSecOps environments, the program formalizes GitLab’s channel strategy around AI-native lifecycle automation — and positions partners to monetize growing demand for governed, compliant AI across the software development stack.