OpenBB × Brainforge: Formalization Options (30–60 Day Calibration)
Purpose: Options we can put to OpenBB for how we formalize the relationship, based on how we work with Omni, Sigma, and other partners. This is calibration: we’re defining outcomes for the first 30–60 days to see if we can actually go to market together. Context: Ihsan asked how we formalize partner relationships and whether we post on our website; he asked if we have formal agreements in place. We do with Omni, Sigma, etc. This doc summarizes what we’ve done with others and what we could propose for OpenBB. Last updated: 2026-03-05
What we already do with partners (Omni, Sigma, etc.)
- Formal agreements in place – We have formal partner agreements (e.g. referral, MSA, or partner-program terms) with vendors like Omni and Sigma where it makes sense.
- Co-sponsored content – We’ve done co-sponsored posts and content with partners.
- Website featuring – We’ve featured partners on our website (and been featured on theirs) when the relationship is active and both sides want to promote it.
Formalization ideas we can put to OpenBB (30–60 day calibration)
Source: Brainforge partnership playbooks – partner-playbook.md, 90-day-activation-playbook.md, ideal-partner-profile.md, JVP template.
1. Website / mutual featuring (after learning period)
- What: Mutually feature each other on our websites (e.g. partner page, logo, short blurb) after a 1–2 month learning period, if both sides see fit.
- Why now: Ihsan already suggested posting after the first 1–2 month learning period; we’re aligned. No need to do it day one.
- Proposal to OpenBB: “We’re open to mutually featuring on our websites after we’ve had 1–2 months to install, build a couple of apps, and validate the fit. Then we can decide together if/when to add each other to partner pages.”
2. Written 30–60 day (or 90 day) activation plan
- What: A short, shared document that defines outcomes for the first 30–60 days (or 90 days): what we’ll do, what they’ll do, what “success” looks like.
- Why: Our playbooks require co-owned activation plans for serious partners. It’s how we test “can we actually go to market with these people?” without over-committing.
- Example outcomes: Brainforge: install OpenBB, build 2–3 demo apps, identify 3–5 pilot FI accounts. OpenBB: free install/private offer, shared Slack, intro to CPO/onboarding if needed. Joint: 1–2 qualified pipeline opportunities or mutual referrals in the period.
- Proposal to OpenBB: “We’d like to align on a short 30–60 day (or 90 day) plan with clear outcomes on both sides. No heavy legal—just a shared one-pager so we’re testing the same thing. We do this with other partners to make sure we’re set up to go to market together.”
3. Referral process and criteria (lightweight)
- What: Document who we refer to whom, when, and how (e.g. “When we see a Snowflake-first FI that needs apps/BI, we refer to OpenBB”; “When OpenBB sees a prospect that needs data engineering, they refer to us”). Optionally add referral fees later once there’s pipeline.
- Why: We already agreed on mutual referrals in principle; writing it down makes it repeatable and sets expectations.
- Proposal to OpenBB: “We can document referral criteria and process in a simple one-pager (no legal). Referral fees can stay TBD until we have a couple of real opportunities; the important thing is we both know when and how to refer.”
4. Co-sell / joint offer one-pager
- What: A one-pager (or short deck) that tells the joint story: “Brainforge + OpenBB for Snowflake-first financial institutions” – data engineering + app layer, who does what, when to bring the other in.
- Why: Our partner playbook calls this a “co-sell playbook” or “partner-specific co-sell deck.” It makes it easy for both sides to position the partnership in deals.
- Proposal to OpenBB: “Once we have our internal install and 1–2 demo apps, we can draft a one-pager or short deck for the joint offer (Snowflake + data eng + OpenBB apps). That becomes something we can both use in conversations with prospects.”
5. Co-marketing / co-sponsored content
- What: Co-sponsored LinkedIn post, blog, or short webinar (e.g. “Getting analytics right on Snowflake: data foundation + apps”) once we have a clear story.
- Why: We’ve done this with other partners; playbooks call out 1–2 co-marketing campaigns per quarter as a benchmark.
- Proposal to OpenBB: “We’ve done co-sponsored content with other partners. Once we have a concrete story (e.g. after a pilot or two), we’re open to a co-sponsored post or small webinar for FI/data leaders.”
6. Formal partner agreement (when it makes sense)
- What: A formal agreement (e.g. referral agreement, partner MSA, or program terms) that covers referral fees, use of logos, and mutual commitments. We do this with Omni, Sigma, etc., when the relationship is proven.
- Why: Ihsan asked if we have formal agreements; we do with others. We don’t have to sign day one with OpenBB—we can tie it to the 30–60 day outcomes.
- Proposal to OpenBB: “We have formal agreements with partners like Omni and Sigma. We’re happy to put a simple referral/partner agreement in place once we’ve hit our first 30–60 day outcomes and both want to scale the motion. That keeps the first phase lightweight and the formal doc aligned with real results.”
Suggested Slack / email reply to Ihsan (draft)
Short version (for Slack):
- Yes, we have formal agreements in place with Omni, Sigma, and similar vendors.
- We’re open to mutually featuring on our websites after the first 1–2 month learning period, once we’ve validated the fit.
- Other ways we formalize and go to market with partners that we could explore with OpenBB:
- Co-owned 30–60 day plan – shared outcomes (install, demo apps, 1–2 pipeline opportunities) so we’re testing the same thing.
- Referral process one-pager – when we refer to you, when you refer to us; referral fees TBD once we have pipeline.
- Co-sell one-pager – “Brainforge + OpenBB for Snowflake-first FIs” once we have demo apps and a story.
- Co-sponsored content – post or small webinar once we have a concrete pilot or story.
- Formal partner/referral agreement – when we’re ready to scale the motion, we’re happy to put something in writing (we’ve done this with others).
We’re in calibration mode: we want to define clear outcomes for the first 30–60 days and see if we can actually go to market together; then we can layer on more formalization.
References
knowledge/sales/partners/playbooks/partner-playbook.md– asset types (co-sell, one-pagers, webinars), rep engagementknowledge/sales/partners/playbooks/90-day-activation-playbook.md– time-bound activation plansknowledge/sales/partners/strategy/ideal-partner-profile.md– co-marketing, case studies, JVPknowledge/sales/partners/OpenBB/PARTNER_CONTROL_CENTER.md– OpenBB status and next actions