Choose build, buy, or partner

Who this is for

Founder led lower middle market companies with 5 to 50 million in annual revenue.

The quick answer

Score options on speed, control, and lifetime economics. Partner when a specialist can open a market or lower risk. Build when the capability is strategic and improves valuation. Buy when a target brings customers or skills that would take too long to create.

The framework in six steps

Define the capability
What outcome you need and why customers care.
Score build
Time to market, capital needs, and effect on focus.
Score buy
Target availability, price, integration, and cultural fit.
Score partner
Access, reliability, brand impact, and margin share.
Run a small test
Pilot with a partner or a prototype before a large bet.
Decide and stage
Sequence moves so risk stays low and learning is fast.

Example

A firm needed a cloud integration. They partnered with a specialist for early deals, then hired a small team once demand was proven.

Pitfalls and fixes

Building everything. Protect focus.
Buying without integration plans. Design the future state.
Partners that dilute the brand. Set clear standards and reviews.

Checklist

Capability defined
Build, buy, and partner scored
Pilot plan chosen
Integration or onboarding steps ready