MongoDB: $150M in Funding Must Recruit, Train Big Data Partners

When MongoDB recently said it raised another $150 million in venture capital, The VAR Guy was intrigued. Surely, MongoDB — which promotes a NoSQL Big Data database — will use some of that money to recruit and train channel partners like VARs, MSPs and cloud services providers (CSPs). Right? Hmmm…

In a prepared statement, MongoDB said it will use the $150 million to ” further invest in the core MongoDB project as well as in MongoDB Management Service, a suite of tools and services to operate MongoDB at scale. In addition, MongoDB will extend its efforts in supporting its growing user base throughout the world.”

Partners, Please

So what’s the problem? MongoDB should have gotten much more specific by mentioning channel partners somewhere in that statement. After all, rival DataStax specifically mentioned channel partners during its last round of funding.

Meanwhile, MongoDB has 20,000 user group members and 20,000 MongoDB Days attendees. But how many of those folks will build IT consulting, deployment and management businesses around MongoDB?  And who will support MongoDB for companies that don’t want to hire a new generation of database pros?

Partners, Pretty Please

The answer is channel partners — if MongoDB successfully recruits and trains such experts in mass scale.

Back in August 2013, MongoDB VP of Business Development and Strategy Matt Asay described the company’s channel partner initiatives to The VAR Guy. The strategy sounded promising.

In recent months, The VAR Guy has repeatedly told readers that they need to investigate the fast-growing NoSQL database market, where MongoDB (formerly 10gen) competes. As MongoDB accepts more venture capital funding, let’s hope some of the dollars and cents are directed the channel’s way. 

The VAR Guy bets that’s the case. MongoDB just forgot to say it out loud. Correct?