Empowering Developers: The 10 Best Developer Ambassador Program examples

Are you ready to level up your developer skills and take your career to the next level? Look no further than developer ambassador programs!

These ambassador programs are the ultimate learning opportunity for tech-savvy individuals like yourself. Not only do they give you the chance to explore new technologies and build your community, but they also allow you to build your personal brand and gain valuable experience in the industry.

And let's be real, as a developer, what's not to love about constantly learning and growing? Think of it as a personal challenge, an adventure to discover new technologies, content creation and community building.

Consider a developer ambassador programs as a stepping stone to your career as a developer advocate, where you can share your knowledge and experiences with the world. In this article, we present you 10 popular developer ambassador programs that are worth checking out.

From big tech companies to startups, we've got you covered. You'll find all the information you need to decide which program is the best fit for you. So why not give it a try? The possibilities are endless!

What is a Developer Ambassador program?

Tech companies create developer ambassador programs as a way to tap into the passion and expertise of their engaged community members, and leverage it to promote their technology and build their brand.

Developer ambassadors act as official representatives of the company, creating technical content, speaking at conferences, and organizing meetups, which not only helps to promote the product but also teach others on how to build with it.

By recognizing and utilizing the hard work and passion of community members with the brand ambassador programs, companies are able to drive progress.

Why it's worth joining the Developer Ambassador program?

A developer ambassador program is a great way to boost your personal brand as a tech expert or future developer advocate. By representing a company and its products, you gain access to exclusive knowledge and technology, giving you a leg up in the industry.

Plus, as an official representative, you're able to network and collaborate with other industry leaders, expanding your professional reach. Not only will you be spreading knowledge in the developer community, but also building your own personal brand and access to the knowledge and technology.

Difference between developer advocates and developer ambassadors

What's in a name? Developer ambassador, developer evangelist, technical evangelist, developer advocate, developer champion...they all refer to the same role: people who help developers succeed with a product.

So what sets developer ambassadors apart from developer advocates? It's all about where they sit in the company. Developer advocate is typically internal team members hired by the company to promote its technology and engage with the developer community.

Developer ambassadors, on the other hand, are external community members who contribute their time and expertise to promote the company's technology and engage with developers, often in exchange for recognition, direct access to resources, or other perks. They're all about growing their personal brand, developing new skills, and advancing their careers.

Do ambassador programs pay developers?

Keep in mind that developer ambassadors are often not a full-time role and as such, it's usually not a paid role. However, many programs do offer perks such as reimbursement for travel expenses, exclusive events, and discount codes for active participants, as a way to thank ambassadors for their contributions.

Best Developer Ambassador programs

Want to become a developer ambassador but not sure which program to join? Don't worry, we've got you covered. We've put together a list of the best developer ambassador programs out there, from start-ups to big tech companies.

These programs are the cream of the crop when it comes to supporting and recognizing their developer ambassadors, providing valuable resources and unique opportunities to boost your personal brand and take your career to the next level.

Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned pro, these programs have something for everyone who wants to advocate for a product or technology.

Google Developer Experts

Joining the Google Developer Experts (GDE) program is a great opportunity for developers to gain recognition and access to exclusive resources from Google.

As a GDE, you'll be part of a global community of more than 1000 experts in various technical fields who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience with others. The GDE title is granted for one year.

How to become Google Developer Expert?

In order to become a GDE, you need to fill in the application form, go through the community and product interview. But... to get access to the application form, you need to be referred by an existing Expert or a Googler.

Check more in GDE Program application process guide here or directly on their website.

Auth0 Ambassador program

Join the Auth0 Ambassador program and become a part of our mission to advocate for developers by sharing knowledge on identity and security-related topics.

As an ambassador, you'll have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with Auth0's workflow and learn about open-source community and culture.

You'll share your knowledge through meetups, conferences, written educational content, webinars, conference talks and other events. Not only will you improve your open-source skills and contribute to projects, but the tech community will support you as well.

Check the Auth0 Ambassador program website and apply to become an ambassador.

AWS Community Builders

The AWS Community Builders program is the perfect opportunity for technical builders using AWS services to share their knowledge and skills with others. As a member of the program, you'll create community contributions such as written technical resources and video content, including blog posts, videos, webinars, tutorials, open source projects and more.

Additionally, you'll have the chance to organize technical communities that help other AWS builders learn new skills and build on the platform. By joining the AWS Community Builders program, you'll be able to share your experience and help others succeed with AWS.

How to become AWS Community Builder?

Check AWS Community Builders website or this LinkedIn blog post by one of the AWS Community Builders. To become a part of the AWS program, you need to fill in an application form and complete the application process.

(The process is not always open, so make sure you follow their social media to fit in the application window.)

Twilio Champions

Twilio Champions program is a unique opportunity for developers who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience in the field of communication technology. You'll also be able to represent and promote Twilio's products in the developer community by speaking at events, publishing content, contributing to online communities, and hosting Twilio Superclass events.

When you're out in the community, Twilio wants to make sure you, as their brand ambassador, are equipped with the tools and resources you need to be successful.

As a Twilio Champion, you'll have access to sneak peeks of unreleased products and features, access to teams inside Twilio, a global network of fellow Twilio Champions, swag, an invitation to Twilio Summits and conferences.

Joining the Twilio Champions program is a great way to expand your skills, network with other experts, and gain visibility for your work in the tech industry.

Check Twilio Champions website and fill in the application for to become a Champion!

Microsoft MVP

For over two decades, the Microsoft MVP Award has been our way of showing gratitude to the amazing community leaders who go above and beyond. These individuals make a real impact by sharing their knowledge and expertise through speaking engagements, social media posts, writing books and helping others in online communities.

As an MVP, you'll receive some pretty cool perks, like early access to Microsoft products, direct communication with our product teams and an invite to the Global MVP Summit, an exclusive annual event held at our headquarters in Redmond.

Plus, you'll have a special relationship with the local Microsoft team in your area, who are there to support and empower you to address needs and opportunities in your community.

To become a Microsoft MVP, you must be nominated by a Microsoft full-time employee or by an active Microsoft MVP. Check more details on their website.

Cypress Ambassador program

If you're passionate about Cypress and have a wealth of knowledge and experience in testing to share with the developer community, becoming a Cypress Ambassador is a great way to give back.

As an Ambassador, you'll have the opportunity to share your knowledge through blog posts, articles, webcasts, conferences, meetups, and other events. This is a great way to build your personal brand and network with other experts in the QA field, while also helping others learn and grow.

In order to become a Cypress Ambassador, you need to fill in the application form and complete the process. Check more details on their website.

Student Ambassador program examples

Are you a student looking to gain hands-on experience in tech and boost your resume? We've compiled a list of the top student ambassador programs out there.

These programs offer students the opportunity to represent and promote their chosen field or company, gain valuable skills and experience, and network with industry professionals.

Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program

The Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador program is a great way for students to connect with others who share their passion for technology. Upon acceptance, you'll be connected to a global community of fellow Ambassadors via Microsoft Teams, as well as with Microsoft mentors who are there to help you along your journey.

If you're not sure what your passion is, that's okay too. As long as you're willing to explore different things and try them out, you're welcome in tech community!

Microsoft provides support new ambassadors in the form of unique access to experts like Cloud Advocates and MVPs, who can offer remote mentorship, guide your League's efforts, and provide opportunities for you to be part of the team while you prepare for graduation.

They also provide tools to help you make progress on the issues or technologies that matter to you, such as monthly Azure credits, free access to Microsoft 365 apps, cloud services, and development tools in Visual Studio, as well as free software from our technology partners.

GitHub Campus Expert

The Campus Experts program is for student leaders who are passionate about building diverse and inclusive spaces for learning skills, sharing experiences, and building projects together. They can be found all over the world leading in-person and online conferences, meetups, and hackathons, as well as maintaining open-source projects.  

With the GitHub Campus Experts training, you'll learn technical and professional skills such as public speaking, technical writing, community leadership, and software development that will help you build a strong technical community, teach valuable skills, create new opportunities for your student community.

Google Developer Student Clubs

Google Developer Student Clubs provide an opportunity for college and university students to connect and learn with other developers from around the globe. With over 1,500 chapters across more than 100 countries, you'll have the chance to explore new ideas, build solutions for local businesses and communities, and gain hands-on experience with Google technology.

Check GDSC website and apply to lead your local university chapter.

Stack Overflow Student Ambassador program

Stack Overflow also decided to support students, to create local campus clubs. Represent Stack Overflow on your campus, complete their challenges, earn rewards and get unique opportunities to engage with the tool, as well as their support and exclusive access to the product.

Check their website to apply.

Conclusions

All in all, being a developer ambassador or advocate is like being a superhero for the tech community. You get to share your powers (expertise and knowledge) with the world, build your personal brand, and level up your skills.

Plus, companies will treat you like a VIP with early access to products, direct communication with teams, exclusive events, and recognition for your contributions.

Whether you're a student, hobbyist, or a pro, there's a program that's perfect for you. So, don't be shy, step up and join the ranks of tech superheroes, it's a great way to give back to the community and make a real impact.