Publishing an AI agent in Microsoft's Copilot Agent Store: up to $100K from AI Build & Publish
Updated 6 Nov 2026 · FY27 (1 October 2026 to 30 June 2027) · Reviewed by an ex-Microsoft team member
The short answer. If you build an AI agent and publish it in the Copilot Agent Store, Microsoft pays up to $100,000 in cash. The amount depends on how many people use the agent each month, from 500 to 30,000 or more. It is the most selective incentive: you need a $1 million Azure commitment, or meet Microsoft's other criteria, and the agent must work with Agent 365.
In plain words. An AI agent is a piece of software that does tasks for people, like answering questions or handling a workflow. Agent 365 is Microsoft's tool for managing and securing agents. If your agent lives in Microsoft's Copilot Agent Store and people use it, Microsoft pays you for building it. Unlike most incentives, it is not based on your sales.
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Does this apply to you?
Probably yes, if you have built an AI agent and you meet one of these:
- A $1 million or larger Azure commitment.
- Usage across several Fortune 500 customers.
- AI apps or agents already in commercial use.
- A strategic relationship with Microsoft.
You also need to be enrolled in Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace, which is free.
Not a fit, if you are counting on your Marketplace sales to qualify. Unlike the Marketplace incentive, there is no sales route in. The last three routes above are judged on Microsoft's own criteria, so there is no formula you can check yourself.
New in FY27. Agents had no funding before. This is the first year there is a payment for them.
What does it pay?
The payment is sized by monthly active users in year one. All projects last 120 days.
- XXS: 500 to 2,999 users, paid $5,000
- XS: 3,000 to 4,999, paid $20,000
- S: 5,000 to 14,999, paid $30,000
- M: 15,000 to 29,999, paid $60,000
- L: 30,000 or more, paid $100,000
Monthly users are counted in Agent 365. Amounts are for Market A countries. Market B countries are paid 80%, except the smallest size.
What does it mean for you as a CEO?
If you have an agent that large companies already use, this is a way to get paid for work you have already done. If your agent is still early, treat it as a target to build toward, not as money you can plan on.
The technical bar is clear: the agent must integrate with Agent 365.
How to claim it
- Nominate yourself, with a partner survey.
- Deliver and prove over the 120 days.
- Submit the claim in Partner Center with: the partner survey, a claim invoice in USD, and your agent's name, link and ID.
- Get paid. Microsoft checks the proof for up to 30 days, then pays within 45.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it pay?
Between $5,000 and $100,000 in cash, depending on monthly active users.
Can I qualify through Marketplace sales?
No. Unlike AI Build & Publish for Marketplace, there is no sales route in.
How are users counted?
In Agent 365, Microsoft's tool to manage and secure agents.
How long is the project?
120 days.
Is it the same as the Marketplace AI incentive?
No. That one is for AI inside your SaaS offer, sized by planned sales and paid up to $80,000.
Want the full picture?
Everything here is also in our complete guide to Microsoft FY27 Marketplace incentives, with plain-words notes for newcomers. Get the complete FY27 guide
Not sure which incentive fits your company?
Ask for your free Microsoft Incentives Assessment: a personalized report of every incentive your company can claim, what each is worth, and the order to claim them. Free, no obligation. No Partner Center login needed to start. Ask for your free Assessment
The other FY27 incentives
- Azure sponsorship
- AI Build & Publish for Marketplace
- Customer Assessment & POV
- Customer Migrate & Modernize
- Co-sell in FY27
Based on Microsoft's FY27 Partner Investments material and the Frontier Accelerate for Marketplace pages on Microsoft Learn. Microsoft may change its programs at any time, and every payout needs Microsoft's approval. Amounts are in USD.
