# Design partner

Concept · [Product](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/product)

Also called: design partners, design partner program, development partner, design partner agreement

An early customer who works closely with a startup to shape a product, giving regular feedback in [exchange](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/turn) for [early access](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/beta), a discount or influence. [Common Paper](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/common-paper) publishes a free, standard template for the contract (Design Partner Agreement).

**For example:** Before launch, a startup signs three clinics as design partners who test each new version and meet monthly.

## Connects to (5)

- [Pilot](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/pilot): A small, time-limited trial of a product with one customer, run to learn whether the product works for that customer before a full contract.
- [Customer discovery](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/customer-discovery): Talking with possible customers to learn about their problems before you build, so that you build something they need.
- [MVP](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/mvp): Minimum viable product.
- [Joint development agreement](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/joint-development-agreement): A contract between two organizations that build something together.
- [Common Paper](https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/common-paper): A contract company for startups that publishes free, standard agreements anyone may use and modify, along with software for sending…

Map view: https://ecosystem.samcarlton.com/design-partner