Client relationship
A qualified early client receives the agreed MILD services and contractual commercial advantages. MILD receives revenue and may develop case evidence only when earned and authorized.
Three Qualified Pathways
Founding Partners
Build an Early Relationship With Clear Roles and Written Boundaries
Founding Client. Founding WCTIS Partner. Strategic Founding Partner.
MILD offers three distinct founding pathways for qualified organizations. Each begins with a Discovery Consultation and proceeds only through a written agreement suited to the relationship.
Founding status is a commercial or collaborative designation. It is not an investment, governance role, ownership interest or claim to MILD or WCTIS intellectual property.
- 01Founding ClientFor early corporate and small or midsize clients engaging MILD to address a defined workforce training priority.
- 02Founding WCTIS PartnerFor early adopters evaluating WCTIS Workforce Intelligence through a defined pilot or initial implementation.
- 03Strategic Founding PartnerFor consultants, technology providers, government primes, associations and complementary providers exploring structured collaboration.
Architecture:
Three Tracks, Each With a Different Purpose
The track follows the relationship being considered. The title does not create rights or benefits beyond the applicable written agreement.
Founding Client
- Defined preferred commercial terms where stated in the written agreement
- Priority treatment where scope, timing and capacity are contractually confirmed
- Price protection only where the agreement expressly provides it
- Pilot-to-contract credit where applicable and documented
- MILD may gain early revenue, implementation learning and case evidence only when that evidence is earned and separately authorized
Founding WCTIS Partner
- Pilot advantages defined for the specific evaluation or implementation
- Early access aligned to readiness, scope and available capacity
- Preferred initial commercial terms only where stated in the agreement
- A structured path from early adoption toward a licensing decision
- MILD gains product and implementation learning without promising validation, outcomes, exclusivity or patent status
Strategic Founding Partner
- Referral opportunities governed by a written agreement
- Teaming opportunities where roles, responsibilities and client protections are explicit
- Joint-market opportunities approved for each context before use
- A fit for consultants, technology providers, government primes, associations and complementary providers
- No authority to bind MILD, represent an existing relationship or make commitments without written authorization
Safeguards:
What Founding Status Does Not Mean
These boundaries apply across all three tracks unless a separate explicit written agreement lawfully states otherwise.
No Ownership or Investment Rights
Founding Partner status does not make anyone a co-founder, equity owner or investor, and it creates no investment return or profit participation.
No Management or Governance Authority
Founding status provides no management authority, board seat, voting right, governance role or power to bind MILD.
MILD and WCTIS IP Remains Protected
Founding status grants no ownership or license rights to MILD or WCTIS intellectual property unless a separate explicit written agreement states otherwise.
No Implied Exclusivity
No industry, geography, category, referral or technology exclusivity is implied. Any limited right must be expressly stated in writing.
Commercial Advantages Are Contractual
Priority, early access, credits, preferred terms and price protection apply only when documented. They are commercial terms, not investment benefits.
Evidence Requires Permission
Logo use, testimonials, references, case evidence and public statements require separate written authorization and must reflect evidence actually earned.
Qualification:
What a Responsible Founding Opportunity Requires
Founding status follows a real, supportable opportunity. It is not a promotional label or a substitute for diligence.
- A defined workforce, training, WCTIS adoption or collaboration priority exists.
- A decision-maker can participate in a Discovery Consultation and approve scope.
- The organization can provide the access, context and participation the work requires.
- Both sides are prepared to document roles, boundaries, commercial terms and confidentiality.
- The opportunity can proceed without unsupported claims, implied relationships or guaranteed outcomes.
- There is a credible path from initial work to a client, licensing, referral, teaming or joint-market agreement.
Pathway:
From a Discovery Consultation to a Defined Next Decision
The same disciplined qualification path applies whether the opportunity is client work, WCTIS adoption or strategic collaboration.
- PHASE 1
Discovery Consultation
Clarify the priority, intended relationship, evidence, constraints and decision-makers before selecting a track.
- PHASE 2
Track Qualification
Determine whether Founding Client, Founding WCTIS Partner or Strategic Founding Partner is the appropriate structure.
- PHASE 3
Scope and Diligence
Confirm fit, responsibilities, confidentiality, risks, timing and the boundaries of the proposed work.
- PHASE 4
Written Agreement
Document the scope, commercial terms, rights, approvals, evidence use and conditions that apply.
- PHASE 5
Review and Next Decision
Review what the evidence supports, then continue, license, refer, team, expand or conclude as agreed.
Mutual value:
What Each Track Is Designed to Create
Any benefit must come from the work and the written agreement, not from implied status.
WCTIS adoption relationship
An early adopter receives the agreed pilot or implementation advantages. MILD gains product and implementation learning and may develop a licensing pipeline without promising validation or outcomes.
Strategic relationship
A qualified collaborator may pursue referral, teaming or joint-market opportunities under written terms. Neither party may imply authority, endorsement or an existing relationship beyond what is approved.
Not a fit:
When a Founding Pathway Is Not Appropriate
Clear boundaries protect the organization considering the relationship, MILD and the integrity of WCTIS.
- The primary objective is equity, investment returns, profit participation or ownership in MILD or WCTIS.
- The request depends on exclusivity, guaranteed outcomes, patent claims or public validation MILD cannot substantiate.
- The organization expects authority to represent MILD or commit MILD without written approval.
- The only decision criterion is a public discount or published package price.
- The organization cannot support reasonable diligence, confidentiality or a defined agreement.
- The request requires MILD to disclose confidential WCTIS methods, decision logic or protected intellectual property.
Questions:
Frequently Asked Questions
The written agreement controls. These answers establish the public boundary before that process begins.
Founding partnership statement
A founding designation does not replace qualification, diligence or a written agreement. It identifies the early relationship being built and nothing more.
Determine Whether One of the Three Tracks Fits.
A Discovery Consultation is the first step for a prospective Founding Client, Founding WCTIS Partner or Strategic Founding Partner.
Strategic Partnerships: partnerships@mitchellsinstitute.com