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Manage MDF from request to payout.

Give partners a clear way to request funds, track approval status and submit proof of performance, all connected in one place.

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What are market development funds?

Market development funds are money a vendor sets aside for partners to spend on approved marketing activities. A partner submits a request, receives approval, runs the activity and provides evidence of the results. Co-op funds typically reimburse a defined percentage of eligible spend.

When balances, approvals and payments sit in separate systems, teams end up reconciling requests by hand. Partners struggle to see what is available, while channel and finance teams work from different records.

Full definition

Give partners one clear request flow

Partners submit MDF requests in the same portal where they manage other program activity. Required fields collect the campaign plan and budget upfront, giving approvers the context they need.

  • Campaign plan captured upfront
  • Pre-approval for trusted activities
  • Status visible in the portal

Connect MDF spend to pipeline

The MDF Performance report sets each funded campaign's spend against the MQLs and pipeline it produced, by partner and fund type.

  • Request linked to the campaign
  • Leads and deals linked to the activity
  • Spend and results in one view

Manage allocations by partner and program

Set allocations by tier, segment or program and track how much has been committed, spent and remains available. Teams can review underused budgets and reallocate funds where appropriate.

  • Allocate by partner tier
  • Balance visible per partner
  • Reallocate before the quarter ends

Proof lands on the claim it pays for

Proof of performance attaches to the original claim, and finance reimburses at the rate set on the fund type. Claims and pre-approvals share one Transactions list, each carrying its approver and documents.

  • Documents linked to the request
  • Approval status visible
  • Records ready for finance
40%
of channel leads in peak months
SAS
50%
of active partners generated leads
SAS

Within 14 months of launch, SAS partners were generating as many leads in Unifyr as were being generated by SAS themselves. This has helped scale growth and efficiency at SAS, a leader in trusted Data and AI solutions.

Stephen Yeo, Global Channel Marketing Director, SAS

What channel and finance teams ask before funds go out

What is MDF and how does it differ from co-op funds?
Market development funds are vendor-provided funds for approved partner marketing activities. Co-op funds typically reimburse a defined share of eligible costs under agreed program terms. In Unifyr both are fund types, each with its own reimbursement rate, entry deadline and claim due date.
How do we prove ROI on MDF investments?
Start by linking each funded activity to the campaign, leads and opportunities it supports. This allows channel and finance teams to compare spend with the outcomes recorded against the original request. Define the expected outcome for each activity type before funds are approved. Teams can then review performance using relevant measures such as responses, leads, pipeline or revenue.
Can we limit MDF to specific activities or partner tiers?
Yes. You can define eligible activities and set approval rules by partner tier, segment or program. Different partner groups can have their own budgets, criteria and approval paths.
How does Unifyr simplify the MDF approval process?
Unifyr replaces email chains and spreadsheets with a portal flow where partners submit the details an approver needs upfront. Rules route the request to the right approver, and the request status remains visible in the portal. Eligible requests can follow pre-approved or automated approval paths based on the program rules you define. Decisions remain recorded with the request.
Can partners submit proof of performance in the portal?
Yes. Proof of performance attaches to the same record as the original request. Partners upload campaign results or event receipts against the matching request, and approvers review the submission in the portal. Once approved, the claim is ready for reimbursement.
How are reimbursements paid out?
Unifyr keeps the approval status and supporting documents together and passes approved claims into the finance workflow used for payment. Partners can follow the reimbursement status in the portal alongside the original request.
Can finance teams get their own MDF view?
Finance teams can review spend, approved claims and outstanding reimbursements. Role-based access controls provide access to the relevant reporting while approval responsibilities remain with the appropriate teams.
Can we run multiple MDF programs at once?
Yes. Programs can be organized by partner type or business unit, with separate eligibility rules and budgets. Partners see the programs available to them, while administrators manage each program from the same platform.
How do we handle unused MDF balances?
Teams can monitor unused allocations throughout the funding period instead of waiting until it closes. Remaining funds can then be reviewed and reassigned according to the rules of the program.
What reporting is available for MDF programs?
Unifyr dashboards cover MDF spend, utilization by partner, approval activity and campaign performance linked to funded activity. Teams can review individual requests or aggregate results across the program, and export reports for finance.
What is MDF claim management?
It is the work between the allocation and the payment. A partner pre-approves the activity, files the claim with its proof, and you reimburse at the rate the fund type sets, so nothing is reconciled by hand afterwards. Read about fund management.
How do partners know what they have?
Their available balance appears in the portal beside the entry deadline and the claim due date for every fund, and on your side it appears on the partner roster, so neither of you has to go and ask for it.
What stops funds being claimed twice?
A claim occupies one status at a time, from Draft through In Review and Pending Proof to Submitted, and available balance is derived from the fund rather than typed. A second claim against spent money has nothing to draw from.

What the money connects to

File a pre-approval and a claim during the demo

Bring the fund types you run today, with their reimbursement rates, and we will set them up on the call.

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