<p>A recent increase in multistakeholder partnerships has accelerated the lowering of boundaries between traditional donors, such as bilateral and multilateral donors, and nontraditional entities in international development. This shift appears to have obscured the leading role of conventional donors in improving the social and economic aspects of people’s lives, communities, and countries at large. The aim of this case study was to investigate two inclusive businesses supported by a Japanese transnational retail and manufacturing company—a felt business in Kyrgyzstan and a textile business in Laos—to understand the role of donors therein. These businesses differ markedly in that the former has had significantly more donor support for its development than the latter. I collected qualitative data from interviews and observations conducted during years of fieldwork in the two countries and from written materials such as donor reports. The study participants’ experiences revealed how outside support from conventional and nonconventional donors has accumulated and influenced existing businesses. By examining the cases of these two countries, this study highlights the importance of donor support as a driver, catalyst, and form of partnership in a specific time and context, underscoring its relevance for development effectiveness despite the prevailing focus on partnerships.</p>