We are excited to announce the finalists for the inaugural 2026 Fast50 Channel Accelerator Awards, recognising vendors, distributors, marketplaces and community groups supporting the growth and success of Australian IT channel businesses.
The awards, which form part of the Fast50 Awards program, recognise organisations that are helping MSPs, resellers and systems integrators build new capabilities, improve profitability, operate more efficiently and pursue new business opportunities.
This year's entries highlight the breadth of investment being made across the channel, from AI and cybersecurity enablement to partner automation, demand generation, technical support and business mentoring.
Winners and highly commended recipients will be announced at the Fast50 Awards presentation evening on November 19 2026 at the W Hotel in Sydney.
Channel Accelerator Award – Vendor
The Vendor category attracted a highly competitive field, with 14 finalists representing a broad mix of established global technology companies and specialist channel-focused providers.
Submissions revealed considerable investment in helping partners develop new services, generate customer demand and improve business performance.
Several entrants reported measurable commercial results. One vendor recorded 34% year-on-year growth in its Australian channel business, while another reported that its ANZ partner ecosystem had achieved 40% year-on-year revenue growth.
Other entries highlighted improvements in MSP profitability, technical productivity and the ability to deliver services that previously required substantial specialist resources.
The finalists are:
- Access4
- Airia
- Barracuda Networks
- ConnectWise
- Datadog
- Dijital Team
- Ericsson
- Horizon3
- inforcer
- Kaseya
- Lenovo
- Pia
- PowerShield
- Wasabi Technologies
Channel Accelerator Award – Distributor
Eight distributors have been named finalists, reflecting the evolving role of distribution in helping Australian partners build capabilities and win new business.
The submissions demonstrate that distribution is increasingly about more than product availability and fulfilment. Entrants described investments in specialist technical resources, AI infrastructure, sales enablement, marketing support and services that allow partners to pursue more complex customer opportunities.
One distributor reported that a partner had grown its Microsoft business by 50% over 18 months following technical and delivery support. Another detailed an AI enablement initiative that had influenced approximately $20 million in revenue and pipeline activity.
The finalists are:
- ACE Communications
- Dicker Data
- Fifteen
- HAT Distribution
- Ingram Micro
- Leader
- SoftwareOne
- Tech Data ANZ
Channel Accelerator Award – Marketplace
Three organisations have been named finalists in the Marketplace category, where submissions highlighted the growing role of digital platforms in simplifying partner operations and identifying new revenue opportunities.
The entries show marketplaces moving beyond procurement and subscription management to incorporate automation, commercial intelligence, specialist services and business development capabilities.
One submission reported an increase in marketplace transactions from 982 to 6,659 across comparable four-month periods, while manual transactions fell from 2,541 to just 19.
Another highlighted a partner ecosystem that had expanded its local vendor offering by more than 90%, broadening the range of solutions available to Australian partners.
The finalists are:
- Dicker Data
- Pax8
- SoftwareOne
Channel Accelerator Award – Community Group
Four finalists have been announced in the Community Group category, recognising the importance of peer networks, mentoring, professional development and industry collaboration in building stronger channel businesses.
The submissions highlighted initiatives supporting MSP owners and leaders with business strategy, profitability, cybersecurity skills, leadership development and opportunities to learn from their peers.
One community organisation reported membership growth exceeding 30% across ANZ during 2026, while another cited program-level results showing 20% faster business growth than the industry average among participating businesses.
The finalists are:
- IT Nation Evolve – ConnectWise
- Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA)
- MSP Success TruPeer peer group – Kaseya
- SMBiT Professionals
Channel Champion Awards
The evening will also see the presentation of two Channel Champion Awards, which are determined by the technology providers used by businesses in the Fast50.
Unlike the submission-based Channel Accelerator Awards, the Channel Champion Awards are based on factual information collected from Fast50 companies about the vendors, distributors and marketplaces they used.
Two Channel Champion Awards will be presented:
Channel Champion – Vendor: Recognising the technology vendor used by the greatest number of Fast50 businesses.
Channel Champion – Distributor/Marketplace: Recognising the distributor or marketplace used by the greatest number of Fast50 businesses.
Join us at the Fast50 Awards
The Fast50 Awards will bring together Australia's leading IT channel businesses, technology vendors, distributors and industry leaders for an evening of recognition, celebration and networking.
Table bookings and sponsorship opportunities are now available for organisations wishing to be part of the celebrations. To enquire about attending, securing a table or exploring sponsorship opportunities, please contact techpartner.news' Commercial Director Steven McDonald.
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