Choosing a software partner is one of the most expensive decisions a growing company makes, and it is usually made on the strength of a pitch deck. A better filter is the conversation you have before the contract.

Ask who will actually do the work. The people in the sales meeting are rarely the people writing the code, and you should meet the second group before you sign. Ask how they handle changes in scope, because every project has them, and the honest answer is a process rather than a promise.

Ask what they would leave out. A partner who can tell you what not to build has understood your business. One who agrees to everything has understood only the invoice.

Finally, ask about the handover. You should own the code, the designs and the documentation from the first milestone, in your accounts, with no lock-in.