Growing Your Portfolio with ISVs
What if instead of building every connection yourself, you could tap into networks you already trust? By adding ISV referral partners to your portfolio, you can multiply your reach and expand who you can connect with.
What is an ISV?
An Independent Software Vendor (ISV) is a company that develops, markets, and sells software designed to run on third-party hardware or operating systems. Instead of building the underlying platform, ISVs focus on creating applications that solve specific business or industry needs on top of existing technology ecosystems.
The Value of an ISV Partnership
A successful ISV partnership creates value for both you and the software provider. By partnering with the right ISVs, you gain access to new merchant opportunities while helping the ISV strengthen its business through integrated payment solutions.
Benefits for You
- Gain access to an established network of merchants through a trusted software provider.
- Build long-term referral relationships that generate ongoing introductions.
- Expand into new industries and verticals through the ISV’s customer base.
- Strengthen your pipeline with qualified, relationship-driven referrals.
Benefits for the ISV
- Generate additional recurring revenue through payment processing referrals.
- Increase customer retention with integrated payments that make their software more valuable.
- Gain opportunities to introduce their software to merchants within your customer portfolio.
- Partner with a trusted payments provider focused on long-term mutual growth.
Best Ways to Find ISVs
Search LinkedIn: Connect with decision-makers such as Founders, CEOs, Heads of Partnerships, Business Development leaders, and Payments executives. Use keywords like ISV, POS software, embedded payments, and payment integration with your target industry.
Attend Industry Trade Shows: Many ISVs exhibit at vertical-specific trade shows, including restaurant, retail, healthcare, automotive, hospitality, field services, and salon industries.
Research Software Providers: Explore software directories and integration marketplaces to identify companies offering POS, ERP, CRM, scheduling, inventory management, and other industry-specific solutions.
Leverage Your Existing Merchants: Ask current merchants what software they use and who manages their payments. Existing customers can often uncover warm ISV introductions.
Evaluate Partnership Opportunities: Look for ISVs with growing merchant bases, limited payment monetization, or opportunities to improve their payment experience.
Lead with Mutual Value: Position Echelon as a strategic partner that helps ISVs create a better payment experience, generate recurring revenue, and strengthen customer retention—not simply as another payment processor.
Partner with Echelon
Join a team of ISV specialists who support you through every stage of the partnership process. From strategy and solutioning to negotiation, Echelon provides the expertise and resources to help you build strong, lasting ISV partnerships.
Success isn’t just about finding ISVs—it’s about identifying software providers that align with Echelon’s strengths and creating a partnership that delivers value for both the ISV and its merchants.