SUBREDDIT: r/relationships
TITLE: How do I[31M] decline a business partnership [29M] offer without burning a bridge?
POST: I'm in the process of starting a localized business, and was contacted by someone that has a similar business in another part of the country. We have yet to discuss specifics, but he is offering a partnership, which would include access to his established software, business contacts, and his experience. 

While it is a great opportunity, I have taken a test run of his software, and don't love it. I would like to develop my own, but his, along with his branding, is something that seems non-negotiable. I would like to have a relationship in which we bounce ideas off each other, and he has mentioned that this would be an option, but is really trying to sell the partnership route. 

My question is, how do I politely decline this partnership offer without burning the bridge? I get a feeling from him that he is very proud of his software and branding, and anything alluding to a rejection of it will be taken as an insult. He does have experience in the industry, and I am very interested in this, but not to have to deviate from the path I would like to take the company.
TL;DR: 
Approached by someone with experience when starting my own company, unsure how to decline partnership offer without offending and ruining chance for further relationship.