HN: Where is the value of a business-only partner?

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=477601

Stemming from this discussion, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on a business-only partner when pursuing a technology centric startup.

I don't understand where the inherent value-add lies with someone that cannot help build the product. All the other stuff seems pretty simple in relative comparison. Am I just naive? Or do you guys agree?