How it works
Four steps, from brief to deal.
Simple by design. Nothing is shared with the other side until you are comfortable and an agreement is signed.
- STEP 01
Tell us your need or capacity
A short note or call: what you buy or sell, specifications, volumes or scope, target markets, timelines and what a good partner looks like to you.
- STEP 02
Shortlist and vet
I shortlist possible matches and check them before anyone is introduced: registration, track record, reviews, certifications, export history and references.
- STEP 03
Introduction under a signed agreement
A short written agreement covering confidentiality, non-circumvention and the fee terms is signed before any names are shared.
- STEP 04
Fee only on a closed deal
No retainer. Fees are agreed per deal, in writing and upfront, and paid only on a closed deal: a signed and paid project, or a shipped and paid order.
Fees: no retainer. Fees are agreed per deal, paid only on a closed deal, and written into a short agreement before any introduction. See partner terms and the FAQ.
Confidentiality and non-circumvention.
Confidentiality
- Your details are shared only with your consent, and only with the party being introduced
- Names are exchanged after the agreement is signed
- Keep commercially sensitive detail out of your first message; we can cover it once an agreement is in place
- Enquiries are stored privately and used only to respond (see the privacy notice)
Non-circumvention
- Introduced parties agree not to bypass the agreement to avoid the fee
- It applies to the introduced party, for the period set out in the agreement
- Existing relationships are listed upfront and excluded
- It protects the fee, not the decision: you can always say no to a deal
Plain answers, upfront.
Who pays the fee?
It is agreed in writing before any introduction. Typically it is the Indian business that wins the work: a referral fee for agencies, a commission for manufacturers and exporters. Where an overseas buyer asks me to run a specific search, any fee is agreed with them upfront. Either way, there is no retainer: fees are agreed per deal, paid only on a closed deal.
When is the fee payable?
Only when a deal closes. For IT and software, that means a signed project that the client has paid for (usually in line with the client’s payments). For goods, it means an order that has shipped and been paid for. The exact trigger is written into the agreement.
What is excluded?
Existing customers: clients or buyers you already work with, or were already talking to, are excluded, and we list them at the start. I also don’t provide legal, tax, customs, logistics or investment advice, I don’t arrange securities or investment transactions, and I don’t hold client funds or goods.
How long does it take?
It depends on the sector and how specific the brief is. I reply personally to every enquiry. Putting together a vetted shortlist usually takes a few weeks, and longer for specialised briefs. After the introduction, timing is in the hands of the parties: software projects often start with a discovery or pilot phase, while goods usually involve samples, documents and trial orders, which can take months.
Do you guarantee a deal or an outcome?
No. I make considered introductions; whether a deal happens, and on what terms, is between the parties. There is no guarantee of orders, delivery, quality, payment or any other commercial outcome.
Do I still need to do my own due diligence?
Yes. Vetting narrows the field; it is not an audit, a certification or a warranty. Both sides should carry out their own commercial, legal and financial checks and, for goods, use samples and inspections before signing.
What should I share in my first message?
Enough to judge fit: what you need or offer, rough volumes or scope, markets and timelines. Keep confidential detail until an agreement is in place.