Who pays the referral fee: the vendor, the client or the platform?
It depends on the model, but the payer is almost always the party that receives the new business, not the person referred. At SourceX, the partner reward comes out of SourceX's own collected fee. It is never deducted from what the referred company receives, and it is paid only after the buyer pays.
Who normally pays a referral fee?
The party that wins the new business pays, out of the revenue that business creates. The introduced client or company is the one party who normally should not be charged, because the fee compensates for access, not for anything delivered to them.
How that plays out depends on the structure, summarized below.
Who pays in each common model
| Model | Who pays the fee | Paid from | Trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional-to-professional referral (for example, between advisers) | The receiving professional | Their fee from the new client | Usually when the client signs or pays |
| Software vendor affiliate or partner program | The vendor | Its revenue from the new customer | Customer subscribes or renews |
| Finder in a private transaction | Negotiated: sometimes the seller, sometimes the buyer, sometimes the acquirer's advisor | Transaction proceeds | Closing |
| Deal platform that lists advisors | Often the advisor, though terms vary by platform | The advisor's fee or subscription | Set by the platform's terms |
| Share-of-fee platform model | The platform | The platform's own collected fee | Platform receives payment |
SourceX sits in the last row. The mix matters because the person paying the fee is the person with a conflict of interest to disclose.
Who pays at SourceX?
SourceX pays. Partners earn 25% of the eligible platform fees SourceX actually collects from the referred company's licensing deals, capped at $100,000 cumulative per referred company. The reward is a share of SourceX's fee, so it is never deducted from what the company receives.
The company sees one all-in price, with SourceX's fee included and no separate charges, and a one-time payment typically within about 60 days of invoicing once the buyer selects the data. The partner is paid only after the buyer pays and SourceX receives its fee. A meeting or signed agreement alone does not trigger payment, and no reward is guaranteed.
Does the referred company see the fee?
The company sees the all-in price and can ask who introduced it. Nothing in the reward changes the price. Good practice is to tell your contact that you may receive a reward if a deal closes and is paid, before you make the introduction.
How to check who pays when someone refers you
Use this list when you are on the receiving end:
- Ask the referrer directly whether they are paid for the introduction.
- Ask who the payer is: you, the vendor or a third party.
- Ask whether the fee changes your price or terms.
- Ask whether it is in writing.
- Compare against the answer you would give a colleague: would you be comfortable if they knew?
The page on questions owners should ask an adviser goes through this from the owner's side.
Why it matters for partners
- Disclosure: the payer determines what you should tell the person you introduce. See the guide to private equity finder's fees for why transaction-based pay attracts extra scrutiny.
- Pricing trust: a fee that is carved from the buyer's or seller's proceeds can bias the deal. A fee funded from the platform's own revenue avoids that.
- Cash timing: knowing the trigger tells you when money is realistic. Compare introduction-only and co-selling fee models.
- Planning: you can work through the mechanics in how to calculate an illustrative referral commission or the referral earnings calculator.
Business owners who want to refer peers can read the referral program for business owners.
Limits
Professional rules can restrict who may accept a fee even when the payer is willing. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm with your own counsel or professional body before acting. Licensed professionals should check their own rules on referral fees and disclosure. Partner economics beyond the published facts are set by the signed agreement and the program terms.
Next step
If a funded-by-the-platform model suits you, register as a partner and read the rewards page for payout conditions.
- Step 1Share your linkSend your personal link to a company you know.
- Step 2Company appliesThe company applies itself at /apply.
- Step 3Buyer selects and paysThe buyer selects and pays for the data and SourceX receives its fee.
- Step 4You get your rewardYour share of SourceX fees becomes payable.
Common questions
Does the company I introduce pay me anything?
No. The referred company pays nothing to the partner and nothing extra to SourceX beyond its all-in price. The partner reward is a share of SourceX's fee, paid by SourceX only after the buyer pays and SourceX receives that fee.
Is the reward added to the price buyers pay?
The reward is calculated from the fee SourceX collects, which is already part of the all-in price the company agrees. Partners do not add a charge to either side. Pricing and terms are agreed between SourceX and the company before buyers review the data.
Who pays a finder in a business sale?
It varies by agreement: the seller, the buyer or the acquirer's advisor may fund it, usually from proceeds at closing. Because finder activity in securities transactions can raise broker-registration questions, anyone considering one should get legal advice before agreeing to a fee.
What if the buyer never pays?
Then no platform fee is collected and no partner reward becomes payable. The reward is tied to cash received by SourceX, not to signatures, meetings or promises. That is why the program states plainly that no reward is guaranteed.
Should I tell the person I introduce that I get paid?
Yes, as a matter of good practice and, for some professionals, a rule. A short sentence before the introduction protects trust. Check your own professional body or employer policy on disclosure, because requirements vary by profession and state.
Related pages
- Referral fee for an introduction only vs co-selling: what changes?
- A referral program for business owners who know other business owners
- How to calculate an illustrative referral commission from a platform fee
- Private equity finder's fees: what sponsors pay deal finders and what to check first
- Is your consultant or advisor paid for introducing your company to SourceX?
- SourceX referral rewards and payout conditions
Free resources
- AI readiness assessment — Ten questions, five dimensions, a score out of 100.
- EBITDA calculator — Reported and adjusted EBITDA from net income.
- MOIC calculator — Multiple on invested capital from realized and unrealized value.
- All free tools · MCP resource center
By SourceX Partnerships Team · Published 2026-10-09 · Updated 2026-10-09
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