Finding the right local partner in a new market can make or break your expansion. Standard financial due diligence isn’t enough in markets where relationships and local influence dictate success. Use this 10-point checklist to evaluate potential partners beyond the balance sheet.
The Partner Vetting Checklist
- Commercial Viability: Does their current infrastructure support your volume and scale?
- Regulatory Standing: Are they fully compliant, or do they rely on vulnerable political connections?
- Market Reputation: How are they viewed by local competitors, suppliers, and institutions?
- Operational Alignment: Do their internal processes and tech stack integrate with yours?
- Financial Transparency: Can you verify their revenue streams and debt obligations independently?
- Cultural Fit: Do they share your approach to governance, timelines, and contract adherence?
- Supply Chain Control: Do they own their logistics network, or do they rely heavily on third parties?
- Dispute Resolution History: How have they handled contract disputes in the past?
- Strategic Motivation: Why do they want this partnership? (Are they looking for capital, technology, or actual collaboration?)
- Exit Feasibility: Is there a clear, legally sound mechanism to unwind the partnership if necessary?
The Exalt Perspective: Don’t leave partnerships to chance. Exalt supports business development by identifying and securing partners that strengthen your execution capacity. Engage with us.