[justin]

Generally meeting with an associate means an extra gatekeeper to convince so that’s why people suggest talking only with partners.

If you get pushed to an associate from a partner though it’s hard to go back and demand the meeting with the partner. If you have limited options, you should take the associate meeting.

FWIW our first round for Justin.tv started with an associate conversation.

[Alex3917]

> meeting with an associate means an extra gatekeeper to convince

The associate is the one talking with all the other companies in your space and the related spaces, so if you cultivate good relationships with them then they're your eyes and ears on the industry.