Strategic Introductions & Whitelisted Partner Matching

Stop wasting months looking for the right expertise. Get connected to founders who've solved your exact problem.

The Expertise Search Problem Every Founder Knows

You have a specific business challenge that requires specialized knowledge:

  • Need a technical co-founder who understands your industry's compliance requirements

  • Looking for manufacturing expertise in Southeast Asia markets

  • Want a marketing partner who's built a brand in your competitive space

  • Seeking operational guidance from someone who's scaled similar complexity

So you start the search process:

1

Week 1

Post in 5 founder Facebook groups asking for recommendations

2

Week 2

Get 23 suggestions of people who "might be helpful"

3

Week 3

Research their backgrounds, realize most haven't solved your specific problem

4

Week 4

Schedule calls with 3 promising contacts

5

Week 5

Schedule calls with 3 promising contacts

6

Week 6

Back to square one, posting in different groups

What Zero Dawn Members Experience Instead

Real Strategic Introduction Success Stories

Harsh's search for private bankers in Singapore.
left to right: Harsh, Kenric
Left to right: Harsh, Kenric

"I told Kenric I needed to meet with private bankers in Singapore for my Ultra-High Net Worth Clients who are politicially exposed persons. Within 48 hours, I was on a call with private bankers from DBS Private Bank and OCBC Premier/Private Bank who are experts in managing wealth portfolios for the island's ultra-rich. They walked me through their entire onboarding process for foreign wealth owners, compliance framework, how they serve their clients on a daily basis. We ended up signing a corporate partnership with them in less than 2 weeks. This would not have happened so quickly without Kenric's help."

- Harsh Patel., CEO of Water & Shark

David striking a joint venture partnership for MENA expansion.
Left to right: Sam, David, Harsh, Kenric
Left to right: Sam, David, Harsh, Kenric

"I reached out to Kenric on LinkedIn earlier in July 2025, and wanted to get his thoughts on international expansion for my business financial management software suite, Automa8e. With the power of our suite, We make accounting, corporate secretary and tax filing a breeze for both business owners and corporate service providers (Lawyers, Accountants, Auditors...etc) regardless of their size by doing most of the heavy lifting via integrated automation. Nothing was happening until Kenric suggested that I connect with Harsh Patel, the CEO of Water & Shark. Meeting Harsh was a match made in heaven as for the longest time, I have struggled to penetrate into the MENA region due to regulatory uncertainty and distribution challenges. In just 3 days after meeting Harsh and Kenric in person, we manage to strike a joint venture agreement to take Automa8e into the MENA market. This would not have been possible if it wasn't for Kenric's introduction.

- David Lau., CEO of Autom8te


How Strategic Introductions Actually Work

The Problem With Random Networking

Most founder introductions happen like this:

  • Someone knows someone who "does marketing"

  • You get a LinkedIn intro with no context

  • Generic first conversation about what each person does

  • No clear mutual value proposition

  • Relationship fizzles after initial coffee chat

The Zero Dawn Strategic Matching Process

Step 1: Specific Need Identification

You tell us exactly what expertise you need

  • Technical skills required and industry context

  • Geographic market knowledge needed

  • Functional experience with specific challenges solved

  • Partnership structure and collaboration preferences

Step 2: Expertise Database Search (Via our members & whitelisted partners)

We match against proven member/whitelisted partner expertise

  • Documented results in your specific challenge area

  • Track record of successful partnerships and mentoring

  • Geographic and industry experience alignment

  • Collaboration style and bandwidth assessment

Step 3: Strategic Introduction Facilitation

We work with you to create proper context for both parties

  • Clear explanation of mutual value potential

  • Specific challenge context and expected outcomes

  • Introduction timing based on member availability

  • Follow-up framework to ensure productive engagement

Step 4: Collaboration Support

We help ensure successful partnership development

  • Check-in on introduction outcomes and next steps

  • Facilitate additional expert connections if needed

  • Support partnership structuring and agreement development

  • Track collaboration success for network improvement


Our Strategic Introduction Database

There are 2 types of parties that we can facilitate introductions for. Fellow members, and whitelisted partners.

Whitelisted partners have:

  • Superior results in their respective industries.

  • Outstanding customer service that actually responds when you need them.

  • Long-term thinking focused on solving problems, not just billing hours.

  • Proven track record with other Zero Dawn entrepreneurs.

These aren't random Google searches. Every whitelisted partner has been personally vetted by our team, used by other Zero Dawn community members, and proven they deliver exceptional value.


Whitelisted Partners Categories Available

🎯 1. Sales & Marketing

Everything that drives revenue and customer acquisition

Core Marketing Services
  • Performance marketing agencies

  • Brand development experts

  • Content creation specialists

  • Social media management

  • SEO/SEM specialists

  • Email marketing automation

Sales & Customer Success
  • Sales training specialists

  • CRM implementation experts

  • Sales funnel optimization

  • Lead generation specialists

  • Customer retention strategists

  • Customer success consultants

Creative & Brand
  • Logo and brand identity designers

  • Website development specialists

  • Video production companies

  • Graphic design agencies

  • Copywriting specialists

  • Photography/product shoot experts

Market Intelligence
  • Market research firms

  • Competitive intelligence services

  • Customer insight specialists

  • Industry analysis providers

💰 2. Finance & Admin

Everything that manages money, compliance, and administrative functions

Financial Management
  • Startup-focused CPAs

  • Tax optimization specialists

  • Financial planning advisors

  • Business insurance brokers

  • Financial modeling experts

Funding & Investment
  • Pitch deck specialists

  • Due diligence consultants

  • Investor relations specialists

  • Grant writing services

  • Valuation experts

  • M&A advisors

Administrative Support
  • Virtual assistant agencies

  • Bookkeeping services

  • Document management specialists

  • Business registration services

ASEAN-Specific Financial
  • Multi-jurisdiction tax specialists

  • Cross-border payment providers

  • Regional banking relationships

  • Foreign exchange specialists

  • Investment migration advisors

⚙️ 3. Operations

Everything that delivers your product/service and keeps the business running

Technology & Infrastructure
  • Software development agencies

  • Cloud migration specialists

  • Cybersecurity consultants

  • API integration experts

  • Database optimization specialists

  • IT infrastructure consultants

Product & Manufacturing
  • Product design consultants

  • Manufacturing sourcing specialists

  • Quality control inspectors

  • Packaging design experts

  • Product testing laboratories

  • Supply chain optimization

Logistics & Fulfillment
  • Shipping and logistics providers

  • Inventory management systems

  • Warehouse management specialists

  • Distribution network providers

  • Returns management services

Process & Systems
  • Business process consultants

  • Quality management specialists

  • Automation implementation experts

  • Standard operating procedure developers

  • Performance optimization specialists

ASEAN-Specific Operations
  • Regional logistics providers

  • Local manufacturing networks

  • Cross-border shipping specialists

  • Regional distribution partners

  • Cultural adaptation specialists

👥 4. Management

Everything that builds teams, culture, and organizational capability

Leadership Development
  • Executive coaches

  • Leadership assessment consultants

  • Management training providers

  • Board advisor matching

  • Succession planning experts

Team Building & HR
  • Recruitment specialists

  • HR policy consultants

  • Employee training providers

  • Performance management specialists

  • Compensation consultants

  • Company culture advisors

Strategic Planning
  • Business strategy consultants

  • Strategic planning facilitators

  • Organizational design experts

  • Change management specialists

  • Business model innovation consultants

International Expansion Management
  • Market entry consultants

  • Local partnership facilitators

  • Cross-cultural training providers

  • Global team management specialists

  • International compliance advisors

Crisis & Growth Management
  • Crisis management consultants

  • Business continuity planners

  • Turnaround specialists

  • Scale-up strategy consultants

  • Exit strategy consultants


The Strategic Introduction Framework

Maximizing Introduction Value

Before the Introduction:

  • Define specific expertise needs and desired outcomes clearly

  • Prepare background context and current challenge details

  • Research the expert's background and relevant experience

  • Set realistic expectations for initial conversation and potential collaboration

During Initial Conversations:

  • Focus on learning rather than pitching your opportunity

  • Ask specific questions about their experience solving similar challenges

  • Explore mutual value potential and collaboration possibilities

  • Respect their time constraints and expertise boundaries

After Successful Connections:

  • Follow up with specific next steps and partnership proposals

  • Maintain relationship even if immediate collaboration doesn't develop

  • Look for ways to provide value and support their objectives

  • Share outcomes and results with the Zero Dawn network for learning

Introduction Request Best Practices

Effective Request Format:

  • Specific challenge description with business context

  • Exact expertise needed and expected collaboration type

  • Timeline requirements and resource availability

  • Mutual value potential and partnership structure preferences

Example Request: "I need manufacturing expertise for consumer electronics production in Thailand. Looking for someone who's set up operations, managed supplier relationships, and navigated regulatory requirements. Timeline: 3-month setup with production starting Q2. Partnership potential: Equity stake or consulting retainer for ongoing operational advisory."


Want to get a Strategic Introduction or tap on our Whitelisted Partner Network?

This exclusive referral network is available to Zero Dawn Entrepreneurs Circle members only.

Join the Zero Dawn Entrpreneurs Circle today →

Already a Member? Request for an introduction →


Want to be a Whitelisted Partner?

Want to add value to our community and generate highly-qualified leads in the process? Look no further, and send us your application. Our team is always on the lookout for world-class companies and founders to add to our whitelist.

Join Zero Dawn Today as a Whitelisted Partner today →


This service is made available exclusively to members of the Zero Dawn Entrepreners Circle | All Whitelisted Partners are personally vetted by Kenric & The Zero Dawn Team to ensure the highest quality possible.

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