The new Connect unit will be an incubation and distribution hub focused on providing comprehensive support for tech start-ups and modern cloud vendors, accelerating their time to market and return on investment. 

Connect aims to bridge the gap between emerging technology providers, end-user clients and partners by offering channel services leveraging Nextgen oSpace for pipeline creation, Elastic Digital for brand awareness, Nextgen’s AWS practice for cloud marketplace, proactive partner engagement with dedicated partner development managers and partner-led professional services. 

By combining these critical elements, Connect will not only enhance the growth potential of its vendors but also ensure that they can deliver faster paths to revenue.

“This is an extremely exciting initiative and one that I’m very much looking forward to leading,” O’Keeffe said.

“The difficulties of launching and making headway in our market just shouldn’t be allowed to deny customers here timely access to the best technology and this initiative provides a vehicle to simplify this. I’m embracing and leveraging Nextgen’s market leadership with the emerging technology market to ensure this continues.”

The Connect team will have partner, pre- and post-sales support specialists with more headcount joining the team in the next few months.

“The concept is to build an incubator model to help give companies that fast start to market,” she said. “It will be fundamental to help emerging technologies and ISVs from the AWS marketplace enter the market and provide a platform to help scale and drive partner-led professional services.” 

Nextgen has a history of developing key relationships with venture capitalists such as NightDragon and Titanium Ventures, which has provided Nextgen with the expertise and understanding in scaling out lighthouse technologies for start-ups and incumbents.

“This is an exciting time, as within six months of our acquisition, we are announcing the launch of another Nextgen innovation for the channel,” Nextgen CEO John Walters stated. 

“Nextgen has been at the forefront of bringing next generation technologies Down Under. 

“Our leading relationship with venture capitalists and the AWS marketplace needed a fresh solution to increase the support for emerging technologies, ISVs, and start-ups. 

“Leadership is critical, and as Wendy’s role in ASEAN comes to a close, this is the perfect opportunity for her to lead our next significant initiative and develop a new channel model.”