A
participant in a joint venture or long-term business relationship. Typically, a
company that is larger and more established will join forces with a smaller,
less established company for their mutual benefit. Although the larger company
may have strong name recognition, more distribution power, or more financial
resources, the smaller company may have a new product or technology that will
benefit the larger company. Strategic partners have an agreement with a narrow
purpose, however they don’t get involved in either other’s overall business.