OpenAI announced the OpenAI Partner Network on June 14, its first formal partner program designed to help partners build, sell, and deliver AI solutions powered by OpenAI technology.
To support the initiative, the company is investing $150 million in its partner ecosystem, launching with a select group of global partners and AI leaders across systems integration, management consulting, technology, and data services.
Enabling enterprise AI adoption
According to OpenAI, the program is intended to help organizations adopt its AI models and products through a network of partners with industry expertise and deployment capabilities.
The announcement follows several enterprise-focused moves from OpenAI, including the hiring of former Google Cloud channel leader Colleen Kapase as vice president of VP of strategic global partnerships and ecosystems, signaling a broader push into the partner ecosystem.
“The OpenAI Partner Network makes it easier and more flexible for partners to work with OpenAI, whether they are co-selling, deploying, building, or helping customers connect to OpenAI technology,” OpenAI said in an official statement. “The program recognizes partners for the value they create and gives them access to the resources, enablement, and support they need to build successful AI practices.”
The OpenAI Partner Network is structured around three tiers: Select, Advanced, and Elite. Partners can progress through these levels by meeting requirements related to sales performance, technical expertise, co-sell engagement, and successful customer deployments.
OpenAI also plans to train and enable 300,000 certified consultants by the end of 2026.
In addition to tier status, partners can earn specialized credentials in areas such as Codex, cybersecurity, and AI agents.
The partner program is expected to officially launch in July, according to CRN.
Forward Deployed Experts program for complex deployments
Alongside the partner network, the AI giant is piloting a Forward Deployed Experts program, which the company says is specifically for partners working on complex enterprise deployments,
The initiative is designed to align qualified partner practitioners more closely with OpenAI’s Forward Deployed Engineering teams when customers require additional implementation support. Participants will gain access to OpenAI technologies, deployment playbooks, and transformation patterns.
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