This template helps you validate your partner value proposition by clearly defining who your potential partners are, why they would partner with you, and how they align with your partnership strategy.
The Partner Hypothesis template helps you validate your partnership strategy before investing significant resources. Think of it as your partnership "business case"—it helps you avoid the common pitfall of signing partners just because they're interested, rather than because they truly fit your strategy.
Many partnership programs fail because they:
The Partner Hypothesis framework forces you to make your assumptions explicit and testable.
Define clear characteristics:
Articulate the value proposition:
Validate strategic fit:
State your core partnership hypothesis:
"We believe that [partner type] will partner with us because [value proposition], which will help us achieve [business objective]."
List all assumptions in your hypothesis:
How will you know if your hypothesis is correct?
Run small experiments:
Based on learnings:
Before launching a new partner program (e.g., resellers, technology partners, agencies), validate that:
When entering new:
Before building integrations:
Get free access to the Partner Hypothesis template and start validating your partnership strategy today.
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