Ichelon Partner Connect FAQ · Every Partner question, answered across eight topic groups.
This is the working FAQ for anyone considering applying, anyone mid-onboarding, and anyone actively making introductions. Grouped into eight sections — who can be a Partner, what counts as a valid introduction, how the Finder's Fee works, how Partner Share works, MoU and legal, ops and payment timing, real case scenarios, and exit and termination. Every answer is written by Rohit and the ICG Partner team. If your question is not covered, WhatsApp us and we'll add it.
Who can be an Ichelon Partner
Partner Connect is deliberately not a mass affiliate programme. It is an introduction network for healthcare operators who already sit near marketing decisions. This section covers who qualifies.
Who can become an Ichelon Partner?
Anyone with a natural, warm relationship with healthcare decision-makers across a network of clinics, hospitals or pharma brands. In practice that means centre managers at multi-doctor clinics; hospital business heads and marketing heads (introducing sister institutions or peer hospitals); clinic administrators and practice managers; medical practice consultants advising 5-30 clinics; ex-agency operators now in-house; healthcare-only staffing consultants; medical equipment sales reps; and software vendors selling non-marketing tools like CRM, EMR or PMS into clinics and hospitals. If you sit outside these roles but have a genuine warm network of healthcare decision-makers, apply anyway — roughly 6 in 10 applications are accepted.
Do I need to be based in India?
No. Partner Connect accepts India-based and internationally-based Partners. International Partners are paid via Wise or SWIFT, subject to FEMA compliance. The introduced healthcare organisations, however, must fall inside ICG's currently serviceable geographies — India (all states) and UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi). Introductions to healthcare businesses in other geographies cannot be processed at this stage. That set will expand as ICG's serviceable footprint expands.
What if I sit outside the eight typical Partner personas?
Apply anyway. The eight named personas cover most of our current cohort but are not exhaustive. If you have a genuine warm relationship with healthcare decision-makers — a hospital-focused CA, a healthcare architect, a pharma-side product manager, a doctor-recruiter, a medtech founder — you likely qualify.
Can two people apply as one Partner (co-Partners)?
Not under the current MoU. Each Partner is an individual signatory to keep validation, payment and tax mechanics clean. You are free to split earnings on your side privately with a colleague or spouse, but on ICG's records there is one Partner per MoU. If you feel strongly about a joint structure, WhatsApp Rohit — we may add a joint-Partner clause in a future MoU version if enough Partners want it.
Can a company or agency become an Ichelon Partner?
Yes — with the exception that competing marketing agencies cannot be Partners (formal exclusion). Non-competing companies — a healthcare consulting firm, a hospital IT vendor, a device distributor — can enrol as an entity and invoice ICG under their firm's name. The signatory on the MoU is still one named person from the firm, who is treated as the Partner of record. This is the route most healthcare staffing consultancies and diagnostic equipment distributors take.
Is there an age limit or experience requirement?
No formal age limit. No formal years-of-experience requirement. In practice most active Partners are 28+ with at least 3 years in a healthcare-adjacent role, because you need enough professional network to identify genuine decision-makers. Younger applicants have been accepted where their role gives them decision-maker access (for example, a young clinic administrator at a growing chain).
What qualifies as a valid introduction
Every introduction is measured against the same four checks. Get the checks right on your side and the close rate stays around 20%. This section unpacks how each check is verified and what counts.
What are the 4 validation checks every introduction must pass?
(1) Decision-maker — the person you introduce can sign the retainer, not a middleman forwarding to a boss. (2) Real requirement — a defined marketing pain today, not exploratory chat. (3) New to ICG — the person and organisation are not already tracked as a live prospect in our CRM. (4) Warm and consenting — the introduced person knows you are introducing them and has said yes to an ICG call.
How do I check whether a prospect is already in ICG's CRM before I submit?
WhatsApp Rohit at +91 81302 26224 with the prospect's organisation name and city. You get a yes/no reply within 24 hours, usually within 2-4 hours during business hours. Duplicate check does not commit you to submitting — you can pre-check any prospect before investing the warm handoff.
What happens if two Partners submit the same prospect?
The earlier timestamp wins. Whichever introduction was submitted first through the private URL is credited. The second submission is closed at intake with a WhatsApp explanation to the second Partner. This is why fast submission after a good warm handoff matters — 24 hours is normal, a week is risky if the prospect is well-known.
What counts as a "real marketing requirement"?
A defined, current pain: patient acquisition is falling below target, cost per enquiry has crossed a threshold, a competitor just outranked them on Google, a new location has no demand pipeline, a specialty is being launched with a fixed timeline, a pharma brand is going to market. Not: 'they might want marketing help someday', not 'let\'s see what agencies do', not 'my cousin is thinking of starting a clinic'.
Is a warm handoff always mandatory?
Yes. Cold introductions convert at under 3% and drag down the whole programme's economics. Every introduction must have prior consent — the prospect knows ICG is calling and has said okay. If you cannot achieve that, hold the introduction until you can. There is no penalty for slow submission; there is a heavy penalty (low close rate, no earnings) for cold submission.
Can I introduce a healthcare business ICG has previously worked with?
Only if the prior engagement ended more than 24 months ago and the current conversation is with a different decision-maker (owner changed, marketing head changed, business sold). We treat this as a fresh conversation. If ICG has an ongoing or recently-ended relationship, the CRM check will flag it and the introduction will be closed at intake.
What if the prospect is a family member or close friend?
Allowed, as long as they are a genuine healthcare decision-maker and they know you are introducing them. Family relationships must be disclosed on the introduction form for transparency. There is no additional restriction — family and friend introductions have delivered some of the strongest closes in the current cohort because the trust curve is compressed.
How specific does the marketing pain area need to be at submission?
Specific enough that a Co-Founder can prepare for the first call meaningfully. 'Patient volume dropping in the last 6 months across dental cases' is enough. 'Marketing is not working' is not. If you are not sure how to phrase it, ask the prospect during the warm handoff — most decision-makers will tell you exactly what is broken if you ask.
How the Finder's Fee works
The Finder's Fee is the one-time Month 1 payout — 15% of the retainer, paid within 30 days of Month 1 clearance. This section covers the calculation base, the payment mechanics, the timing, and what happens in edge cases.
When is the Finder's Fee paid?
Within 30 days of the introduced client clearing their Month 1 retainer invoice. In practice, because Partner disbursements are batched on the 7th of every month, the Finder's Fee lands on the 7th of the month after Month 1 clearance. Payment is by bank transfer (NEFT/IMPS/RTGS) or UPI, whichever channel you selected at Welcome Kit stage.
What is the Finder's Fee calculated on — retainer or total spend?
The ICG retainer only, before GST. Media budget passthroughs (Google Ads, Meta Ads, YouTube ad spend), one-time setup fees, third-party platform fees and any pass-through hard costs are excluded. The retainer is the recurring monthly fee ICG charges for its own services and management — that is the number the 15% is calculated against.
Is there a Finder's Fee cap?
No. Whatever the Month 1 retainer, 15% is paid. On a ₹20,000/month starting pharma retainer, that is ₹90,000. On a hypothetical ₹15,00,000/month enterprise retainer, that would be ₹2,25,000. There is no ceiling. The programme is deliberately structured so that Partners bringing very large retainers are proportionally rewarded.
What happens to the Finder's Fee if the client cancels in Month 2?
It is retained. The Finder's Fee is triggered by Month 1 clearance, not by ongoing engagement. If the client leaves in Month 2, the Finder's Fee stays with you. Partner Share simply does not accrue for months the client did not pay. There is no clawback of the Finder's Fee under any scenario except proven fraud.
Is there a Finder's Fee for repeat business from the same client?
Yes, on incremental non-overlapping services. If your introduced client engaged ICG for SEO in Year 1 and adds a new Google Ads retainer in Year 2, a fresh Finder's Fee of 15% is paid on the Month 1 of the new Ads retainer, and Partner Share of 5% begins on the incremental amount from Month 2. The original SEO retainer's Partner Share continues in parallel — the two run alongside each other on your Partner statement.
What if the client signs multiple ICG services at once (Month 1 combined)?
Finder's Fee is calculated on the total Month 1 retainer across all services signed. If a client signs SEO ₹1,00,000 + PatientPulse ₹50,000 + ReputationShield ₹25,000 = ₹20,000/month startingnth combined at signup, the Finder's Fee is 15% × ₹1,75,000 = ₹26,250 in one payment.
MoU, Legal & Tax
The Partner Connect MoU is two pages, ten clauses, plain English. This section covers the contract, GST and TDS mechanics, jurisdiction, and confidentiality.
Where can I read the Partner Connect MoU before applying?
The full MoU PDF is at ichelonconsulting.com/partner-connect/mou. Print it, mark it up, WhatsApp Rohit with any question. Nothing about the signature process is designed to catch you out.
How long is the MoU?
Two pages, ten clauses. Written in plain English with no defined-term glossary. If a clause is not clear on first reading, we have failed the writing. Current version has been signed by clinic administrators through hospital business heads — nobody has yet asked for legal review beyond a courtesy skim.
Can I negotiate MoU terms?
No. Every Partner gets identical terms. Negotiating per Partner would create a two-tier programme and dilute the trust that makes Partner Connect work. If you cannot sign the standard MoU, Partner Connect is not the right programme for you.
Which jurisdiction governs the MoU?
Delhi / NCT courts. Governing law: Indian Contract Act, 1872 and applicable amendments. Written into clause 10.
What TDS is deducted from Partner payments?
10% under section 194J of the Income Tax Act, treating Partner Connect earnings as fees for professional or technical services. TDS is deducted at source before disbursement. Form 16A is issued quarterly. If your total income is below the taxable threshold in a given financial year, you can claim the TDS back as a refund in your income tax return.
Do I need a GST number to be an ICG Partner?
No. Partners without GST are paid gross less 10% TDS. Partners with GST raise a tax invoice on the disbursement amount plus 18% GST, and ICG pays the invoice. Either route is fully covered by the MoU. Voluntary GST registration is worth considering if your Partner Share tail is heading past ₹20 lakh in a financial year.
What is the confidentiality obligation under the MoU?
Both parties keep client identities and retainer values confidential except where required by law or the Partner's tax return. That means you cannot post on LinkedIn saying 'Clinic X just signed with ICG through me' — but you can and should count the earnings in your own financial planning and tax filings. If you want to publicly credit a case study you introduced, ICG will help draft a redacted version that names the specialty and city but not the clinic.
Can I share the MoU with my CA or lawyer for review?
Yes, encouraged. Sharing the MoU with your professional adviser does not breach confidentiality — the MoU itself is a document you are entering into. The confidentiality clause applies to client identities and retainer values discovered during the programme, not to the MoU terms.
Operations & payment timing
Partner Connect runs on a fixed monthly rhythm — the 7th of every month is disbursement day. This section covers the cycle, the statement, escalation if something is late, and how to update your details.
What is the monthly payment cycle?
The 7th of every month. All Partner disbursements — Finder's Fees and Partner Shares — are batched and released on the 7th. This runs after the ICG month-end close on the 3rd-5th, so what you receive on the 7th is always against invoices already collected on ICG's side. No float, no 'we will pay when the client renews' language.
How does the Partner statement work?
A monthly PDF statement lands on the 7th along with the payment. It lists every open introduction, its status (in review / in conversation / closed-won / closed-lost / churned), the current retainer value, the Finder's Fee status (paid / pending / not yet triggered), and the Partner Share paid to date on that introduction. Fully auditable — you can trace every rupee back to a specific ICG invoice on a specific client.
What if a payment is late?
If the disbursement has not landed by the 10th, WhatsApp Rohit at +91 81302 26224 with your Partner ID and the missing reference. Reply within 4 hours during business hours is typical. Late disbursements beyond 15 days trigger a 1% per month interest credit under clause 6.3. In the current programme, no disbursement has hit that trigger.
Can I get paid in a currency other than INR?
For India-based Partners, INR only. For internationally-registered Partners, Wise or SWIFT in the currency of your registered account, subject to FEMA compliance on the ICG side and applicable transfer fees deducted at source.
How do I update my bank details?
WhatsApp Rohit with the new bank details or email partners@ichelonconsulting.com. Change reflects in the next disbursement cycle. A cancelled cheque or bank statement image is required as verification. GST-registered Partners also need to update the GSTIN if that is changing.
Can I get an advance against future Partner Share?
No. The programme does not offer advances against projected future Partner Share. All payments are strictly against invoices already cleared on the ICG side.
Case scenarios & earnings
Five worked scenarios showing what active Partners actually earn — the small ones, the mid-sized, and the largest single-introduction outcome on record.
What does a typical ₹50,000/month retainer earn me over 2 years?
Finder's Fee ₹7,500 + Partner Share ₹2,500 × 24 = ₹60,000 = ₹67,500 total across 24 months. If the retainer runs longer, Partner Share keeps accruing on the same 5% rate. A 5-year run on the same client crosses ₹1,57,500 in total earnings from that one introduction.
What if the retainer starts small and grows?
Partner Share scales with the retainer. If a ₹50,000/month client grows to ₹20,000/month starting by Year 2 as they add PatientPulse and Ads, your Partner Share moves from ₹2,500 to ₹6,250 automatically. This is one of the biggest under-appreciated earning levers in the programme — a well-chosen introduction that grows into a full-stack retainer compounds Partner Share meaningfully.
What is the highest single-introduction earning in the current cohort?
Above ₹8,00,000 cumulative from a multi-city clinic chain retainer starting at ₹20,000/month starting and growing to ₹20,000/month startingnth across a 26-month engagement (and still active). The introducing Partner was a healthcare staffing consultant who had placed a CMO at the group two years earlier.
What is a typical earning for a first-year Partner making 5 introductions?
At the 20% close rate, 5 valid introductions convert to 1 signed retainer on average. On the current average retainer of ~₹90,000/month, that is ₹13,500 Finder's Fee + ~₹49,500 Partner Share across the first 11 months = roughly ₹63,000 in the first 12 months, with the tail compounding thereafter. Year 2 on that same client typically adds another ₹54,000.
What does the maximum plausible earning for an active Partner over 3 years look like?
Active top-quartile Partners submit 8-12 introductions per year. At 20% close and current average retainer, that is 2-3 signed retainers per year across 3 years = 6-9 active tail clients by the end of Year 3. Cumulative Partner Share on that book runs ₹15-40 lakh over the 3-year window depending on retainer sizes and retention. This is a genuine second income, not pocket money.
Can I project my earnings before applying?
Yes — the calculator at /calculators/partner-connect-earnings lets you model any retainer size, engagement duration, and step-up scenarios. Model conservatively (₹75,000 average retainer, 24-month tenure, 15% close rate) and you'll still see a plausible ₹1-2 lakh year-1 outcome on 8 introductions.
Exit & termination
Either party can exit Partner Connect with 30 days notice. This section covers the exit mechanics, what happens to your tail after exit, and the specific conditions under which ICG can terminate a Partner.
How do I exit the Partner Connect programme?
30 days written notice to Rohit by email (partners@ichelonconsulting.com) or WhatsApp. Notice starts on the day the email is received. During the notice period you can continue submitting introductions or not — your call. No exit fee, no penalty, no clawback.
What happens to Partner Share on already-closed introductions after I exit?
It continues for the full life of each retainer. Exit does not truncate the tail on introductions you have already made. You simply stop making new introductions. This is written into clauses 9 and 10 of the MoU and is one of the two clauses ICG will never negotiate downwards.
Can ICG terminate my Partner status?
Yes, on 30 days notice for cause — repeated validation failures, misrepresentation on an introduction, or breach of confidentiality. Termination for cause forfeits future Partner Share on introductions already closed only in the case of proven fraud (a very high bar). Ordinary termination preserves the tail on introductions already made.
What happens if my introduced client ends their ICG retainer and later restarts?
If they restart within 12 months, Partner Share resumes as if the retainer continued (recognising the same original introduction). If they restart after 12 months, it is treated as a fresh engagement and requires a fresh introduction from you or another Partner to be credited to a specific Partner. If you are the natural continuing relationship, submit the fresh introduction — you retain the credit.
Where do I get help if a question I have is not answered here?
WhatsApp Rohit directly at +91 81302 26224. He or the Partner team responds within 4 hours during business hours (10 AM - 8 PM IST) and by end of next business day otherwise. Every unresolved question that comes in more than twice ends up in this FAQ, so your question will help the next Partner too.
You've read the FAQ. If your question is answered, apply. If not, WhatsApp us and we'll get to you within the day.
Application takes 3 minutes. Rohit reads every one personally. Welcome Kit and MoU land within 24 hours of acceptance. From that moment, any qualified introduction earns you 15% of Month 1 + 5% every month for the full life of the retainer.
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Partner Connect hub
Programme summary — who joins, what you earn, why introductions close at 20%.
The 8-step Partner journey
Application through Partner Share — every step, timing, example.
Earnings scenarios & math
Eight worked scenarios, GST + TDS mechanics, tax planning tips.
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The 3-minute application. Rohit reviews personally within 24 hours.
