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Partnerships for Other Startups

How 49 other companies used partnerships to get traction. Real revenue data, growth timelines, and replicable strategies.

49
Case Studies
$500k
Avg MRR (n=1)
$500k
Highest MRR
100%
$50k+ Hit Rate

Pricing Models

How They Got First Customers

referral from broker/acquaintance1
natural food stores1
Word of mouth and referrals from industry experts and friends in the running community who Jake consulted before launch1
Signing punk groups who didn't require financial stability1
Retail distribution through Sephora after pivoting from direct-to-school marketing approach1
Reddit - met co-founder Alex through entrepreneurship subreddit1
Local stores and farmers markets selling bottled curry paste and Indian meals1
Licensing deal with Chinese pharmaceutical firm1

Other Companies Using Partnerships

Firecrown Mediaby Craig Fuller

Firecrown Media is a portfolio of 54+ niche magazines (aviation, boating, trains, astronomy) acquired by entrepreneur Craig Fuller starting in 2021. Fuller bought Flying Magazine for ~$3.5M and grew it from $2.5M to $7M revenue in the first year by raising prices, upgrading quality, and building engaged subscriber bases. The company now generates ~$60M in revenue with 20% margins ($12M profit) and has expanded into adjacent commerce businesses—aircraft financing, e-commerce, and a 1,500-acre aviation community development—leveraging the magazine audiences' high purchase intent.

Otherpartnershipssubscriptionvia My First Million
Carter Ventures (Independent Sponsor)by Maitab (full name not provided in text)

Maitab is a 29-year-old independent sponsor who acquires distressed D2C e-commerce brands and turnarounds them using operational excellence and rapid cash recovery strategies. Starting from a health issue at 17, he built several seven-figure e-commerce businesses in guitars and pedals before pivoting to private equity-style investing. His current portfolio includes three majority-owned platform companies (SoloWood Flowers, a succulent company, and an apparel brand) worth mid-eight figures in revenue, plus minority stakes in 8-10 other companies.

Otherpartnershipsothervia My First Million
Cat Coquilette (Personal Brand/Art Licensing)by Cat Coquilette

Cat Coquilette is an artist and illustrator who built a successful solopreneur career by licensing her artwork and designs to major retailers including Target, Urban Outfitters, and Bed Bath & Beyond. She transitioned from working a traditional 9-to-5 job while living with her parents to traveling the world on her own terms while maintaining creative fulfillment.

Otherpartnershipsvia Tropical MBA
GFNYby Uli Fluhme

GFNY is a cycling event company founded by Uli Fluhme that brought the Italian Gran Fondo model to New York City, becoming the first of its kind in America. The company has successfully expanded into a global brand by licensing and franchising the event concept to other markets.

Otherpartnershipsvia Tropical MBA
Retail E-Commerce Venturesby Tai Lopez

Tai Lopez is an entrepreneur and investor who built multiple income streams through digital marketing and course sales before pivoting to acquiring distressed retail brands. Through his company Retail E-Commerce Ventures (with partner Dr. Alex Mayor), he acquires well-known but struggling brick-and-mortar brands like Pier One and Dress Barn, converting them to e-commerce models. His early success came from Google AdWords lead generation for life insurance and financial services, achieving six figures within a year of starting in 2001.

Otherpartnershipsvia My First Million
Tiny Capitalby Andrew Wilkinson

Tiny Capital is a long-term holding company for profitable internet businesses founded by Andrew Wilkinson. The company acquires majority stakes in established, cash-flowing internet businesses across multiple verticals including design firms, SaaS products, job boards, and content platforms. Operating with a hands-off approach and conservative financing, Tiny Capital has grown to manage approximately 20 companies with 350-400 employees generating double-digit millions in revenue.

Otherpartnershipsothervia My First Million
Mike Brown's Oil & Gas Aggregation Companyby Mike Brown

Mike Brown founded an oil and gas mineral rights aggregation company in May 2013 with his former naval flight officer friend. Operating in the Midland Basin/Permian Basin, they bought fragmented mineral rights from private owners and packaged them for sale to private equity funds. With only 5 employees at peak and completely bootstrapped using other people's money to fund acquisitions, the company grew to handle 45-50 deals annually and eventually achieved an eight-figure exit.

Otherpartnershipsothervia My First Million
Gelt (Keith Wasserman) / Sky (Galena Wasserman)by Keith Wasserman and Galena Wasserman

Keith Wasserman and his cousin Damian started Gelt in December 2008 by purchasing a single fourplex in Bakersfield for $150,000 with just 2.5% down ($5,000 borrowed, $10,000 credit card cash advance) during the financial crisis. Over the next decade, they grew to manage over $1 billion in real estate assets by focusing on value-add multifamily properties through strategic renovations and raising capital from 700+ accredited investors. Galena Wasserman runs Sky, a parallel real estate development company that acquires and renovates buildings through ground-up construction and adaptive reuse, with both operating on the principle of 'making money on the buy' by identifying undervalued properties and creating value before exit or hold.

Otherpartnershipsothervia My First Million
Endeavorunby Jake Tuber

Endeavorun is a running retreat business founded by Jake Tuber in 2019 that hosts hybrid vacation and workshop experiences for recreational adult runners with professional athletes and coaches. After being forced to pivot to a virtual community during the pandemic, the company successfully launched its first in-person retreat in August 2021 and achieved profitability with partnership-driven growth.

Otherpartnershipssubscriptionvia Failory
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