Key partners: Together you are stronger

Not every activity necessarily has to be performed by you or your company. On the contrary, it often makes more sense financially or strategically if certain activities are done by someone else. The Business Model Canvas dedicates a field to these partners in order to be able to record which activities you would like to or have to outsource.

Who or what are key partners?

In the “Key partners” field, you can list which key partners you would like to work with and what core competencies they bring to the table. Key partners are those who are directly or indirectly involved in the creation and operation of the business model. These can be external companies and organizations, but also people who support you in the execution of your key activities. Consider here which partners you need, without whom success does not seem so easy.

Why do you need partners?

• They are important because they help achieve business goals and ensure that the business model is successful.
• Partnerships allow your business to grow and enter markets faster and sooner.
• Partnerships are forged to reduce risk and raise resources.

What should this field contain?

TLDR:
Create a list of key partners here with a link to the respective key activities!

You can answer the following questions here:

• Who are my key partners? Which partners do you already have?
• What tasks do these partners perform?
• Which partners do you still need?
• Who are my key suppliers?
• What key resources or key activities do I depend on partners for?
• What exactly is needed from partners?
• Which collaborations are conceivable, which are mandatory?

Some examples of key partners might include:

• Suppliers: These are the companies that provide the raw materials, components and services required to operate the business model.

• Partner Companies: These are all companies that work with you and your company to achieve common goals.

• Other stakeholders: These are individuals or groups that are affected by the business model but are not directly involved in the creation or operation of the business model. They could include government agencies, non-profit organizations, or other stakeholders.

Supermarket example:

An example of key partners in the context of a supermarket could be suppliers of food and other goods, partner companies that help the supermarket with advertising and marketing. Other stakeholders could be the municipality that approves and monitors the supermarket, or environmental organizations that advocate for sustainable practices in the supermarket.