Here are five proven SaaS partnership models to accelerate your marketplace growth:

1. Integration Partnerships
   Building integrations with complementary tools creates stickiness and adds value for users. Think Zapier-style connections that solve customer pain points. Mistake to avoid? Overbuilding integrations without validating demand.

2. Channel Partnerships
   These partnerships leverage resellers, agencies, or distributors to sell your SaaS product to their audience. This is scalable but requires proper enablement—clear training and revenue-sharing models. Without these, partners won’t invest their time.

3. Co-Marketing Partnerships
   Partnering with brands on joint webinars, ebooks, or events boosts visibility for both parties. A great example is HubSpot and Canva’s co-branded campaigns. Pro tip: Ensure shared audiences to maximize ROI.

4. Referral Partnerships
   Here, partners refer leads in exchange for commissions. Simple to execute with the right tools like PartnerStack or Impact.com. Common pitfall? Setting commissions too low, which deters participation.

5. Marketplace Partnerships
   Listing your SaaS product on platforms like Shopify, Salesforce, or AWS Marketplace gives you instant access to their customer base. Optimize by tailoring your offering to the platform's unique needs.

The right partnership model depends on your goals, product, and target audience. Choose strategically, and you’ll accelerate growth without burning through your marketing budget.