[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":522},["ShallowReactive",2],{"document-advisory-agreement-D13244":3},{"document":4,"label":20,"preview":11,"thumb":21,"thumb600":22,"description":23,"descriptionCustom":6,"apiDescription":5,"pages":8,"extension":10,"parents":24,"breadcrumb":28,"related":36,"customDescModule":174,"customdescription":23,"mdFm":175,"mdProseHtml":521},{"description":5,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":7,"pages":8,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":11,"thumb":12,"svgFrame":13,"seoMetadata":14,"parents":16,"keywords":15},"ADVISORY AGREEMENT This Advisory Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [NAME OF THE COMPANY], (the \"Company\"), a Company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [NAME OF THE ADVISOR], (the \"Advisor\"), an individual with his main address located at OR a Company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] Collectively, the Company and Advisor shall be referred to as the \"Parties.\" WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in the business of [BRIEFLY DEFINE THE BUSINESS]; WHEREAS, the Advisor has expertise in one or more fields of business that the Company offers and wishes to provide its services to the Company; WHEREAS, the Company has an interest in engaging with the Advisor; Whereas, both the Parties wish to evidence their contract in writing and both the Parties have the capacity to enter into and perform this contract; NOW THEREFORE in consideration and as a condition of the Parties entering into this Agreement and other valuable considerations, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows: INCORPORATION OF RECITALS The Parties agree that the Recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into this Agreement as though set forth in full. RELATIONSHIP The Advisor acknowledges that they are solely an Independent Contractor and not an employee, agent, partner or joint venture of the Company. The Company will provide the Advisor with the details of the Services it wants the Advisor to undertake and perform henceforth. The Company shall not withhold any taxes or any amount or payment due to the Advisor and which it owes to the Advisor in regard to the services rendered by it to the Company. TERM The present Agreement shall come into force on the Effective Date hereof and shall remain in force for a period of [NUMBER OF MONTHS] months starting from the Effective Date hereof and shall terminate at the expiration of the Term hereof. SERVICES During the Term of this Agreement, the Advisor is hereby retained by the Company on a non-exclusive basis to provide strategic advisory services (the \"Services\") to the Company, to be mutually agreed to from time to time. The Services are mentioned in detail in Exhibit A, which shall be attached to this Agreement and has been made a part thereof. PAYMENT As consideration for, and subject to the Advisor's continued performance of all of the Advisory Services, the Advisor will receive a lump sum cash fee of [AMOUNT] for each full calendar month during which the Advisor provides Advisory Services to the Company. The said payment shall be paid via [SPECIFY MODE OF PAYMENT]. DUTIES OF THE ADVISOR The Advisor shall provide the Services diligently and as per industry standards; The Advisor shall not provide misleading information about the Company or its products/services to any third party; The Advisor shall follow the terms of the Agreement in good faith. CONFIDENTIALITY Definition: \"Confidential Information\" means any proprietary information, technical data, trade secrets or know-how of the Company, including, but not limited to, research, business plans or models, product plans, products, services, computer software and code, developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, drawings, engineering, customer lists and customers (including, but not limited to, customers of the Company on whom the Advisor called or with whom the Advisor became acquainted during the Term of his performance of the Services), markets, finances or other business information disclosed by the Company either directly or indirectly in writing, orally or by drawings or inspection of parts or equipment. Confidential Information does not include information which: (a) is known to the Advisor at the time of disclosure to the Advisor by the Company, as evidenced by written records of the Advisor, (b) has become publicly known and made generally available through no wrongful act of the Advisor, or (c) has been rightfully received by the Advisor from a third party who is authorized to make such disclosure. Non-Use and Non-Disclosure. The Advisor shall not, during or subsequent to the Term of this Agreement: (i) use the Company's Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever other than the performance of the Services on behalf of the Company, or (ii) disclose the Company's Confidential Information to any third party. It is understood that said Confidential Information is and will remain the sole property of the Company. The Advisor shall take all commercially reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of such Confidential Information. The Advisor, his/her servants, agents, and employees shall not use, disseminate or distribute to any Person, firm or entity, incorporate, reproduce, modify, reverse engineer, decompile or network any Confidential Information, or any portion thereof, for any purpose, commercial, personal, or otherwise, except as expressly authorized in writing by the Manager then appointed by the Company. Upon completion of the Services, or termination of this Agreement, or at any time thereafter, the Advisor and his/her servants, agents, and employees shall promptly return to the Company, or upon the request of the Company shall destroy or delete all such tangible and intangible Confidential Information, including, but not limited to, any and all devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, specifications, drawings blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items developed by the Advisor pursuant to his/her performance of the Services or otherwise belonging to the Company. If requested by the Company, upon the termination or expiration of this Agreement with the Company, the Advisor agrees to and shall execute and deliver a termination certification attesting to the performance of the terms and conditions of this Section 7.2, which may be provided by the Company in its sole discretion and timing. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION The Advisor shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in soliciting of the existing or potential clients of the Company. It shall also not market its own services to the existing or potential clients of the Company. The Advisor hereby further covenants and agrees that during the Term of this Agreement, and for a period of [NUMBER OF YEARS] years following the termination of this Agreement, the Advisor shall not, for whatever reason, either individually or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any Person as a Advisor, agent, employee, shareholder, owner, investor, partner or in any other manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, carry on or be engaged in or be concerned with or interested in, or advise, lend money to, guarantee the debts or obligations of or permit its name or any part thereof to be used or employed by any Person engaged in or concerned with or interested in a business similar to that of the Company, nor shall it hold in stock or solicit or be directly engaged or interested in soliciting orders for any services similar to or competitive with the Services being rendered within the Territory to the existing or potential clients of the Company. The Advisor acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Section 8.1 are reasonable and valid and necessary for the protection of the business and operations of the Company and that any breach of the provisions will cause the Company substantial and irreparable harm which may not be adequately compensated for by monetary award of damages to the Company",null,"Advisory Agreement","9",513,"doc","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/advisory-agreement-D13244.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13244.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#13244.xml",{"title":15,"description":6},"advisory agreement",[17],{"label":18,"url":19},"Consultant & Contractors","/templates/consulting-contractor-business/","Advisory Agreement Template","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/400px/13244.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/600px/13244.png","\u003Ch4>Navigating Success with an Advisory Agreement\u003C/h4>\n\u003Cp>In the quest for growth and excellence, tapping into external expertise can be a transformative strategy for business owners.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>An Advisory Agreement serves as a vital bridge, connecting businesses with the specialized knowledge and insights of seasoned advisors. This contract formalizes the relationship, setting clear expectations and boundaries, thereby ensuring both parties are aligned toward achieving specific business objectives. It’s not just about getting advice; it's about strategically leveraging expertise to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch5>What is an Advisory Agreement Template?\u003C/h5>\n\u003Cp>An Advisory Agreement template is a pre-structured document that outlines the framework for a professional relationship between a business and its advisors. It specifies the scope of services to be provided, the duration of the agreement, compensation details, confidentiality obligations, and other critical terms. Customizing this template to reflect the unique aspects of your advisory relationship ensures a clear, mutual understanding of roles, responsibilities, and expectations.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ch5 id=\"key-components-service-agreement\">Key Elements of an Advisory Agreement\u003C/h5>A comprehensive Advisory Agreement should include:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Parties Involved\u003C/strong> - Identification of the advisor and the business engaging the advisory services.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Services Provided\u003C/strong> - Detailed description of the advisory services, including specific tasks or objectives.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Term and Termination\u003C/strong> - Duration of the agreement and conditions under which it can be terminated by either party.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Compensation\u003C/strong> - Terms of advisor compensation, including fees, payment schedules, and any performance-based incentives.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure\u003C/strong> - Clauses to protect sensitive information exchanged during the advisory process.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Conflict of Interest\u003C/strong> - Statements to identify and mitigate potential conflicts of interest.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Intellectual Property\u003C/strong> - Guidelines on the ownership and use of intellectual property developed during the engagement.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Dispute Resolution\u003C/strong> - Mechanisms for resolving any disagreements that may arise under the agreement.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Ch5>Related Documents for Crafting an Advisory Agreement\u003C/h5>\n\u003Cp>Enhancing your Advisory Agreement with related documents can fortify the agreement’s framework:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.business-in-a-box.com/template/non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692/\">Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> - To secure confidentiality when exchanging proprietary information.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.business-in-a-box.com/template/consulting-agreement---long-D12543/\">Consulting Agreement\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> - If the advisory services extend into more hands-on consulting roles.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.business-in-a-box.com/template/service-level-agreement-D778/\">Service Level Agreement (SLA)\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> - Defines specific service standards and expectations, especially for ongoing advisory roles.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.business-in-a-box.com/template/engagement-letter-D13681/\">Engagement Letter\u003C/a>\u003C/strong> - Outlines the scope of the engagement, often used for initial agreement before finalizing a more detailed advisory agreement.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Ch5>Why Use Business in a Box to Create an Advisory Agreement?\u003C/h5>\n\u003Cp>Business in a Box is the optimal toolkit for crafting a tailored Advisory Agreement, offering:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Professionally Designed Templates\u003C/strong> - Ensuring your agreements are comprehensive, up-to-date, and legally sound.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Customizability\u003C/strong> - Easily adjust the template to suit the specifics of your advisory relationship and business needs.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Time Efficiency\u003C/strong> - Accelerate the agreement preparation process, allowing you to focus on leveraging the advisory services sooner.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Access to a Wealth of Resources\u003C/strong> - With over 3,000 documents available, support your business beyond the Advisory Agreement, from strategic planning to daily operations.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>Using Business in a Box for your Advisory Agreement equips you with a professional, effective framework for engaging with advisors. This strategic document not only secures your access to expert advice but also aligns your business toward achieving its ambitions with clarity and confidence.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Updated in April 2024\u003C/p>\n",[25,17],{"label":26,"url":27},"Templates","/templates/",[29,30,33],{"label":26,"url":27},{"label":31,"url":32},"Legal Agreements","/templates/business-legal-agreements/",{"label":34,"url":35},"Services & Consulting","/templates/services-and-consulting/",[37,41,45,49,53,57,61,65,69,73,77,81,85,99,115,133,148,160],{"label":38,"url":39,"thumb":40,"extension":10},"Investment Advisory Agreement","/template/investment-advisory-agreement-D13989","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13989.png",{"label":42,"url":43,"thumb":44,"extension":10},"Consulting Agreement Long","/template/consulting-agreement---long-D12543","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12543.png",{"label":46,"url":47,"thumb":48,"extension":10},"Advisory Board Agreement","/template/advisory-board-agreement-D13898","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13898.png",{"label":50,"url":51,"thumb":52,"extension":10},"Advisor Agreement","/template/advisor-agreement-D13243","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13243.png",{"label":54,"url":55,"thumb":56,"extension":10},"Consulting Contract","/template/consulting-agreement-short-D155","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/155.png",{"label":58,"url":59,"thumb":60,"extension":10},"Professional Services Agreement","/template/professional-services-agreement-D13277","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13277.png",{"label":62,"url":63,"thumb":64,"extension":10},"Board Advisor Agreement","/template/board-advisor-agreement-D13814","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13814.png",{"label":66,"url":67,"thumb":68,"extension":10},"Marketing Consulting Agreement","/template/marketing-consulting-agreement-D14009","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/14009.png",{"label":70,"url":71,"thumb":72,"extension":10},"Senior Advisor Agreement","/template/senior-advisor-agreement-D557","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/557.png",{"label":74,"url":75,"thumb":76,"extension":10},"Retainer Consulting Agreement","/template/retainer-consulting-agreement-D13388","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/13388.png",{"label":78,"url":79,"thumb":80,"extension":10},"Time and Materials Consulting Agreement","/template/time-and-materials-consulting-agreement-D175","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/175.png",{"label":82,"url":83,"thumb":84,"extension":10},"Website Design Consultation Agreement","/template/website-design-consultation-agreement-D822","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/822.png",{"description":86,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":87,"pages":88,"size":89,"extension":10,"preview":90,"thumb":91,"svgFrame":92,"seoMetadata":93,"parents":94,"keywords":97,"url":98},"INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT This Independent Contractor Agreement (\"Agreement\") is made and effective [Date], BETWEEN: [INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR NAME] (the \"Independent Contractor\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Company\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] RECITALS Independent Contractor is engaged in providing [Describe] business services, its Employer Tax I.D. Number is [Insert], and its Business License Number is [insert]. Independent Contractor has complied with all Federal, State, and local laws regarding business permits, sales permits, licenses, reporting requirements, tax withholding requirements, and other legal requirements of any kind that may be required to carry out said business and the Scope of Work which is to be performed as an Independent Contractor pursuant to this Agreement. Independent Contractor is or remains open to conducting similar tasks or activities for clients other than the Company and holds themselves out to the public to be a separate business entity. Company desires to engage and contract for the services of the Independent Contractor to perform certain tasks as set forth below. Independent Contractor desires to enter into this Agreement and perform as an independent contractor for the company and is willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth below. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and the mutual promises and conditions contained in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows: TERMS This Agreement shall be effective commencing [Date], and shall continue until terminated at the completion of the Scope of Work which shall occur no later than [Date] or by either party as otherwise provided herein. STATUS OF INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR This Agreement does not constitute a hiring by either party. It is the parties intentions that Independent Contractor shall have an independent contractor status and not be an employee for any purposes, including, but not limited to, [laws]. Independent Contractor shall retain sole and absolute discretion in the manner and means of carrying out their activities and responsibilities under this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be considered or construed to be a partnership or joint venture, and the Company shall not be liable for any obligations incurred by Independent Contractor unless specifically authorized in writing. Independent Contractor shall not act as an agent of the Company, ostensibly or otherwise, nor bind the Company in any manner, unless specifically authorized to do so in writing. TASKS, DUTIES, AND SCOPE OF WORK Independent Contractor agrees to devote as much time, attention, and energy as necessary to complete or achieve the following: [Describe]. The above to be referred to in this Agreement as the \"Scope of Work\". It is expected that the Scope of Work will completed by [Date]. Independent Contractor shall additionally perform any and all tasks and duties associated with the Scope of Work set forth above, including but not limited to, work being performed already or related change orders. Independent Contractor shall not be entitled to engage in any activities which are not expressly set forth by this Agreement. The books and records related to the Scope of Work set forth in this Agreement shall be maintained by the Independent Contractor at the Independent Contractor's principal place of business and open to inspection by Company during regular working hours. Documents to which Company will be entitled to inspect include, but are not limited to, any and all contract documents, change orders/purchase orders and work authorized by Independent Contractor or Company on existing or potential projects related to this Agreement. Independent Contractor shall be responsible to the management and directors of Company, but Independent Contractor will not be required to follow or establish a regular or daily work schedule. Supply all necessary equipment, materials and supplies. Independent Contractor will not rely on the equipment or offices of Company for completion of tasks and duties set forth pursuant to this Agreement. Any advice given Independent Contractors regarding the scope of work shall be considered a suggestion only, not an instruction. Company retains the right to inspect, stop, or alter the work of Independent Contractor to assure its conformity with this Agreement. ASSURANCE OF SERVICES Independent Contractor will assure that the following individuals (the \"Key Employees\") will be available to perform, and will perform, the Services hereunder until they are completed (identify by title and name as applicable): [Name of Key Employee, Title] [Name of Key Employee, Title] The Key Employees may be changed only with the prior written approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. COMPENSATION Independent Contractor shall be entitled to compensation for performing those tasks and duties related to the Scope of Work as follows: [Describe] Such compensation shall become due and payable to Independent Contractor in the following time, place, and manner: [Describe] NOTICE CONCERNING WITHHOLDING OF TAXES Independent Contractor recognizes and understands that it will receive a [specify tax] statement and related tax statements, and will be required to file corporate and/or individual tax returns and to pay taxes in accordance with all provisions of applicable Federal and State law. Independent Contractor hereby promises and agrees to indemnify the Company for any damages or expenses, including attorney's fees, and legal expenses, incurred by the Company as a result of independent contractor's failure to make such required payments. AGREEMENT TO WAIVE RIGHTS TO BENEFITS Independent Contractor hereby waives and foregoes the right to receive any benefits given by Company to its regular employees, including, but not limited to, health benefits, vacation and sick leave benefits, profit sharing plans, etc. This waiver is applicable to all non-salary benefits which might otherwise be found to accrue to the Independent Contractor by virtue of their services to Company, and is effective for the entire duration of Independent Contractor's agreement with Company. This waiver is effective independently of Independent Contractor's employment status as adjudged for taxation purposes or for any other purpose. Neither this Agreement, nor any duties or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by either party without the consent of the other. TERMINATION This Agreement may be terminated prior to the completion or achievement of the Scope of Work by either party giving [number] days written notice. Such termination shall not prejudice any other remedy to which the terminating party may be entitled, either by law, in equity, or under this Agreement. NON-DISCLOSURE OF TRADE SECRETS, CUSTOMER LISTS AND OTHER PROPRIETARY INFORMATION Independent Contractor agrees not to disclose or communicate, in any manner, either during or after Independent Contractor's agreement with Company, information about Company, its operations, clientele, or any other information, that relate to the business of Company including, but not limited to, the names of its customers, its marketing strategies, operations, or any other information of any kind which would be deemed confidential, a trade secret, a customer list, or other form of proprietary information of Company. Independent Contractor acknowledges that the above information is material and confidential and that it affects the profitability of Company. ","Independent Contractor Agreement","6",62,"https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/independent-contractor-agreement-D160.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/160.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#160.xml",{"title":6,"description":6},[95],{"label":18,"url":96},"consulting-contractor-business","independent contractor agreement","/template/independent-contractor-agreement-D160",{"description":100,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":101,"pages":102,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":103,"thumb":104,"svgFrame":105,"seoMetadata":106,"parents":108,"keywords":107,"url":114},"NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (NDA) This Non-Disclosure Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is made and effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Disclosing Party\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [RECEIVING PARTY NAME] (the \"Receiving Party\"), an individual with his main address located at OR a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] WHEREAS, Receiving Party has been or will be engaged in the performance of work on [DESCRIBE]; and in connection therewith will be given access to certain confidential and proprietary information; and WHEREAS, Receiving Party and Disclosing Party wish to evidence by this Agreement the manner in which said confidential and proprietary material will be treated. NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows: NON-DISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION Both Parties understand and agree that each Party may have access to the confidential information of the other party. For the purposes of this Agreement, \"Confidential Information\" means proprietary and confidential information about the Disclosing Party's (or it's suppliers') business or activities. Such information includes all business, financial, technical, and other information marked or designated by such Party as \"confidential\" or \"proprietary.\" Confidential Information also includes information which, by the nature of the circumstances surrounding the disclosure, ought in good faith to be treated as confidential. For the purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information does not include: Information that is currently in the public domain or that enters the public domain after the signing of this Agreement. Information a Party lawfully receives from a third Party without restriction on disclosure and without breach of a non-disclosure obligation. Information that the Receiving Party knew prior to receiving any Confidential Information from the Disclosing Party. Information that the Receiving Party independently develops without reliance on any Confidential Information from the Disclosing Party. Each Party agrees that it will not disclose to any third Party or use any Confidential Information disclosed to it by the other Party except when expressly permitted in writing by the other Party. Each Party also agrees that it will take all reasonable measures to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information of the other Party in its possession or control. TERM The term of this Agreement is [number] of [years/months] from the date of execution by both Parties. TITLE The Receiving Party agrees that all Confidential Information furnished by the Disclosing Party shall remain the sole property of the Disclosing Party. DISCLAIMER","Non Disclosure Agreement Nda","3","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12692.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#12692.xml",{"title":107,"description":6},"non disclosure agreement nda",[109,111],{"label":31,"url":110},"business-legal-agreements",{"label":112,"url":113},"Confidentiality Agreements","confidentiality-agreement","/template/non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692",{"description":116,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":117,"pages":118,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":119,"thumb":120,"svgFrame":121,"seoMetadata":122,"parents":124,"keywords":123,"url":132},"EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - AT WILL EMPLOYEE This Employment Agreement for \"At Will\" Employee (the \"Agreement\") is made and effective this [DATE], BETWEEN: [EMPLOYEE NAME] (the \"Employee\"), an individual with his main address at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"Corporation\"), an entity organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] RECITALS In consideration of the covenants and agreements herein contained and the moneys to be paid hereunder, the Corporation hereby employs the Employee and the Employee hereby agrees to perform services as an employee of the Corporation, on an \"at will\" basis, upon the following terms and conditions: APPOINTMENT The Employee is hereby employed by the Corporation to render such services and to perform such tasks as may be assigned by the Corporation. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, increase or reduce the duties, or modify the title and job description, of the Employee from time to time, and any such increase, reduction or modification shall not be deemed a termination of this Agreement. ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT Employee accepts employment with the Corporation upon the terms set forth above and agrees to devote all Employee's time, energy and ability to the interests of the Corporation, and to perform Employee's duties in an efficient, trustworthy and business-like manner. DEVOTION OF TIME TO EMPLOYMENT The Employee shall devote the Employee's best efforts and substantially all of the Employee's working time to performing the duties on behalf of the Corporation. The Employee shall provide services during the hours that are scheduled by the Corporation management. The Employee shall be prompt in reporting to work at the assigned time. NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST Employee shall not engage in any other business while employed by the Corporation. Employee shall not engage in any activity that conflicts with the Employees duties to the Corporation. Employee shall not provide any service or lend any aid or assistance to any party that competes with the services offered by the Corporation. Employee shall not provide any services to clients or prospective clients of the Corporation outside of the provision of services for the Corporation, whether such services are provided with or without compensation or remuneration. CORPORATION PROPERTY Employee acknowledges and agrees that while employed by the Corporation the Employee may be provided with use of computer equipment and other property of the Corporation. The use and possession of the such items shall be subject to any policies, requirements or restrictions established by the Corporation. Such items may only be used in performance of the Employee's duties for the corporation. On request of the Corporation, the Employee shall immediately deliver any such items to the Corporation. Upon termination of employment, Employee shall have the affirmative duty to return any such item to the Corporation whether a request is made or not. The obligation to return Corporation property shall extend and include any and all work product, client property, proprietary rights, intangible property, and all other property of the corporation regardless of the form or medium. COMPENSATION The Corporation shall pay the Employee such hourly compensation as determined by the Corporation. Payment shall be at the same time as the Corporations usual payroll to other employees. BONUS & BENEFITS Payment of any bonuses shall be at the complete discretion of the Corporation. No guarantee or representation that any bonuses will be paid has been made to the Employee. Standard benefits that are provided to other non-management employees shall be offered to the Employee, subject to the Corporation's policies and the terms and conditions of such benefits. WITHHOLDING All sums payable to Employee under this Agreement will be reduced by all federal, state, local, and other withholdings and similar taxes and payments required by applicable law. QUALIFICATIONS OF EMPLOYEE The employee shall satisfy all of the qualification that are established by the Corporation. TERM OF AGREEMENT There shall be no guaranteed term of employment. Employer acknowledges and agrees that Employee shall be an \"At Will\" Employee and that Employee's employment may be terminated at any time by the Corporation, with or without cause. FEES FROM EMPLOYEE'S WORK The Corporation shall have exclusive authority to determine the fees, or a procedure for establishing the fees, to be charged to clients by the Corporation for services that are provided by the Employee. All sums paid to the Employee or the Corporation in the way of fees, in cash or in kind, or otherwise for services of the Employee, shall, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Corporation, be and remain the property of the Corporation and shall be included in the Corporation's name in such checking account or accounts as the Corporation may from time to time designate. CLIENTS AND CLIENT RECORDS The Corporation shall have the authority to determine who will be accepted as clients of the Corporation, and the Employee recognizes that such clients accepted are clients of the Corporation and not the Employee. All client records and files of any type concerning clients of the Corporation shall belong to and remain the property of the Corporation, notwithstanding the subsequent termination of the employment. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The Corporation shall have the authority to establish from time to time the policies and procedures to be followed by the Employee in performing services for the Corporation. This may include, but is not necessarily limited to, employment policies, computer use policies, Internet access policies, email policies, and all other policies, procedures, directives, and mandates established by the Corporation, whether or not in written form or formally adopted. Employee shall abide by the provisions of any contract entered into by the Corporation under which the Employee provides services. Employee shall comply with the terms and conditions of any and all contracts entered by the Corporation. TERMINATION Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employee is an \"at will\" employee of the Corporation. As such, no term of employment is created hereby and employee may be terminated at any time in the sole discretion of the Corporation, whether there exists any cause for termination or not. CREATIONS AND INVENTIONS Employee acknowledges and agrees that any and all work product of the Employee that is conceived or created during the Employee's employment with the Corporation is the exclusive property of the Corporation. This shall include any and all copyrights, trade secrets, confidential information, patents, trademarks, trade dress, ideas, concepts, plans, business plans, business concepts, techniques, inventions, drawings, artwork, logos, graphics, web pages, databases, software, programs, CGI's, plug ins, applications, brochures, inventions, marketing plans and concepts, and all other ideas and work product of the Employee. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that all creations shall be \"works made for hire\" as defined in the [ACT OR CODE]. Notwithstanding the fact that this material may be considered to be a work made for hire, Employee agrees, during Employee's employment and thereafter, which covenant shall survive any termination of the employment relationship, to execute any and all documents requested by the Corporation to confirm the Corporation's ownership and control of all such material, including but not limited to assignments of copyright, confirmations of work for hire status, waivers of proprietary rights, copyright application, and any other documents requested by Corporation. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS","Employment Agreement_At Will Employee","7","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/employment-agreement_at-will-employee-D541.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/541.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#541.xml",{"title":123,"description":6},"employment agreement_at will employee",[125,128,131],{"label":126,"url":127},"Human Resources","human-resources",{"label":129,"url":130},"Hire an Employee","hire-employee",{"label":31,"url":110},"/template/employment-agreement_at-will-employee-D541",{"description":134,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":135,"pages":136,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":137,"thumb":138,"svgFrame":139,"seoMetadata":140,"parents":142,"keywords":141,"url":147},"PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT This Partnership Agreement (\"Agreement\") is made and effective this [Date], BETWEEN: [YOUR COMPANY NAME] (the \"First Partner\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [SECOND PARTNER NAME] (the \"Second Partner\"), an individual with his main address located at OR a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] RECITALS Partners desire to join together for the pursuit of common business goals. Partners have considered various forms of joint business enterprises for their business activities. Partners desire to enter into a partnership agreement as the most advantageous business form for their mutual purposes. The parties hereto agree to form a limited partnership (the \"Partnership\") under [LAW, CODE OR ACT]. In consideration of the mutual promises contained in this agreement, partners agree as follows: NAME AND DOMICILE The name of the partnership shall be [name]. The principal place of business shall be at [address], [city], [state/province], unless relocated by consent of the partners. Purposes Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the purposes of the Partnership are to engage in the business of [DESCRIBE ACTIVITIES]; and to conduct other activities as may be necessary or incidental to or desirable in connection with the foregoing. DURATION OF AGREEMENT The term of this agreement shall be for [number] years, commencing on [date], and terminating on [date], unless sooner terminated by mutual consent of the parties or by operation of the provisions of this agreement. CLASSIFICATION AND PERFORMANCE BY PARTNERS Partners shall be classified as active partners, advisory partners, or estate partners. An active partner may voluntarily become an advisory partner, may be required to become one irrespective of age, and shall automatically become one after attaining the age of [age] years, and in each case shall continue as such for [number] years unless the partner sooner withdraws or dies. If an active partner dies, the partner's estate will become an estate partner for [number] years. If an advisory partner dies within [Number] years of having become an advisory partner, the partner will become an estate partner for the balance of the [number]-year period. Only active partners shall have any vote in any partnership matter. At the time of the taking effect of this partnership agreement, all the partners shall be active partners except [name] and [name], who shall be advisory partners. An active partner, after attaining the age of [age] years, or prior to that age if the [executive committee or as the case may be] with the approval of [two-thirds or as the case may be] of all the other active partners determines that the reason for the change in status is bad health, may become an advisory partner at the end of any calendar month on giving [number] calendar months' prior notice in writing of the partner's intention to do so. The notice shall be deemed to be sufficient if sent by registered mail addressed to the partnership at its principal office at [address], [city], [state/province] not less than [number] calendar months prior to the date when the change is to become effective. Any active partner may at any age be required to become an advisory partner at any time if the [executive committee or as the case may be] with the approval of [two-thirds or as the case may be] of the other active partners shall decide that the change is for any reason in the best interests of the partnership, provided notice of the decision shall be given in writing to the partner. The notice shall be signed by the [chairman or as the case may be] of the [executive committee or as the case may be] or, in the event of his or her being unable to sign at the time, by another member of the [executive committee or as the case may be]. The notice shall be served personally on the partner required to change his or her status or mailed by registered mail to the partner's last known address. Change of the partner's status shall become effective as of the date specified in the notice. Every active partner shall automatically and without further act become an advisory partner at the end of the fiscal year in which the partner's birthday occurs. In the event that an active partner becomes an advisory partner or dies, the partner or the partner's estate shall be entitled to the following payments at the following times: [describe] Each active partner shall apply all of the partner's experience, training, and ability in discharging the partner's assigned functions in the partnership and in the performance of all work that may be necessary or advantageous to further the business interests of the partnership. CONTRIBUTION Each partner shall contribute [amount] on or before [date] to be used by the partnership to establish its capital position. Any additional contribution required of partners shall only be determined and established in accordance with Article Nineteen. MANAGEMENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP The Partnership shall be managed by [SPECIFY]. Subject to the limitations specifically contained in this Agreement, [PARTY MANAGING THE PARTNERSHIP] shall have the full, exclusive and absolute right, power and authority to manage and control the Partnership and the property, assets and business thereof. [PARTY MANAGING THE PARTNERSHIP] shall have all of the rights, powers and authority conferred by law or under other provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such powers include the right on behalf of the Partnership, in [PARTY MANAGING THE PARTNERSHIP]' sole discretion, to: Acquire, purchase, renovate, improve, and own any property or assets necessary or appropriate or in the best interests of the business of the Partnership, and to acquire options for the purchase of any such property; Borrow money, issue evidences of indebtedness in connection therewith, refinance, increase the amount of, modify, amend or change the terms of, or extend the time for the payment of, any indebtedness or obligation of the Partnership, and secure such indebtedness by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien on Partnership assets; Sue on, defend or compromise any and all claims or liabilities in favor of or against the Partnership and to submit any or all such claims or liabilities to arbitration; File applications, communicate and otherwise deal with any and all governmental agencies having jurisdiction over, or in any way affecting, the Partnership's assets or any part thereof or any other aspect of the Partnership business; Retain services of any kind or nature in connection with the Partnership business, and to pay therefore such remuneration deem reasonable and proper; and Perform any and all other acts deem necessary or appropriate to the Partnership business. TRANSFER OF PARNERSHIP INTERESTS Restrictions on Transfer None of the Partners shall sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, encumber, or otherwise dispose of the whole or part of that Partner's interest in the Partnership, and no purchaser or other transferee shall have any rights in the Partnership as an assignee or otherwise with respect to all or any part of that Partnership interest attempted to be sold, assigned, transferred, mortgaged, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of, unless and to the extent that the remaining Partner(s) have given consent to such sale, assignment, transfer, mortgage, or encumbrance, but only if the transferee forthwith assumes and agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and to become a Partner for all purposes hereof, in which event, such transferee shall become a substituted partner under this Agreement.","Partnership Agreement","8","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/partnership-agreement-D12551.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12551.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#12551.xml",{"title":141,"description":6},"partnership agreement",[143,144],{"label":31,"url":110},{"label":145,"url":146},"Partnership Agreements","partnership-agreement","/template/partnership-agreement-D12551",{"description":149,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":150,"pages":88,"size":9,"extension":10,"preview":151,"thumb":152,"svgFrame":153,"seoMetadata":154,"parents":156,"keywords":155,"url":159},"SERVICE AGREEMENT This SERVICE AGREEMENT (\"Agreement\") is effective [DATE], BETWEEN: [COMPANY NAME] (the \"Contractor\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [COMPANY NAME] (the \"Customer\"), a company organized and existing under the laws of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] (The Contractor and the Customer shall be individually referred to as a \"Party\" and collectively referred to as the \"Parties\", as the context may require). WHEREAS A. Contractor has experience and expertise in [DESCRIBE EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE]. B. Customer desires to have Contractor provide services for them. C. Contractor desires to provide services to Customer on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the \"Services\"). NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals, the representations, warranties, and agreements contained in this Agreement and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are now acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows: SERVICES PROVIDED Beginning on upon agreement to this contract, [CONTRACTOR] will provide to [CUSTOMER] the following service (collectively, the /Services\"): Description of the project: [DESCRIBE THE SERVICE REQUIRED]. SCOPE OF WORK Contractor agrees to provide Services pursuant to the Scope of Work set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto (the \"Scope of Work\"). TERM Unless both parties mutually agree on an extension, this contract will automatically terminate on [SPECIFY]. PERFORMANCE The parties agree to do everything possible to ensure that the terms of this Agreement take effect. PAYMENT FOR SERVICES In exchange for the Services rendered, a payment of [SPECIFY] will be made to the Contractor upon completion of the scheduled Services described in this Contract. If an invoice is not paid on the due date, interest will be added to the current balance. These amounts shall be payable, and the Customer shall pay all overdue amounts at the lesser of [SPECIFY] per cent per annum or the maximum percentage permitted by applicable law. Or Customer will pay Contractor as follows: [SPECIFY]. DELIVERY OF SERVICES The Contractor will exercise due diligence in the provision of services. However, the Customer acknowledges that the indicated delivery times and other payment milestones listed in Scope of Work are estimates and do not constitute final delivery dates. SECURITY The Contractor must make reasonable security arrangement to protect Material from unauthorized access, collection, use, alteration or disposal. OWNERSHIP RIGHT The Customer shall hold the copyright for the agreed version of the Services as delivered, and the Customer's copyright notice may be displayed in the final version. All works, ideas, discoveries, inventions, patents, products or other information that may be protected by copyright (collectively, the \"Work Product\" developed in whole or in part by the Contractor in connection with the Services, shall be the exclusive property of the Customer. Upon request, the Contractor shall execute all documents necessary to confirm or perfect the exclusive ownership of the Customer's \"Work Product\". The Contractor retains exclusive rights to pre-existing materials used in the Customer's projects. The Customer shall not have the right to reuse, resell or otherwise transfer material belonging to the contractor or third parties. The Contractor reserves the right to use the finished public product as an example of a product. RETURN OF PROPERTY Upon the expiry or termination of this Agreement, the Contractor will return to the Customer any property, documentation, records or Confidential Information which is the property of the Customer. COMPENSATION For all services rendered by the Contractor under this Agreement, the Customer shall indemnify the Contractor. In the event that the Customer fails to make any of the payments mentioned, the Contractor shall have the right, but shall not be obliged, to exercise any of the following remedies: ","Service Agreement","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/service-agreement-D12711.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/12711.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#12711.xml",{"title":155,"description":6},"service agreement",[157,158],{"label":31,"url":110},{"label":31,"url":110},"/template/service-agreement-D12711",{"description":161,"descriptionCustom":6,"label":162,"pages":163,"size":164,"extension":10,"preview":165,"thumb":166,"svgFrame":167,"seoMetadata":168,"parents":169,"keywords":172,"url":173},"NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT This Non-Compete Agreement (the \"Agreement\") is made and effective [DATE], BETWEEN: FIRST PARTY NAME] (the \"First Party\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [COMPLETE ADDRESS] AND: [COMPANY NAME] (the \"Second Party\"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the [State/Province] of [STATE/PROVINCE], with its head office located at: [YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS] FOR GOOD CONSIDERATION, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned First party agrees not to compete with Second party, or its successors or assigns.","General Non-Compete Agreement","1",30,"https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/1000px/general-non-compete-agreement-D882.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/imgs/250px/882.png","https://templates.business-in-a-box.com/svgs/docviewerWebApp1.html?v6#882.xml",{"title":6,"description":6},[170,171],{"label":31,"url":110},{"label":31,"url":110},"general non compete agreement","/template/general-non-compete-agreement-D882",true,{"seo":176,"reviewer":186,"legal_disclaimer":174,"quick_facts":190,"at_a_glance":193,"personas":197,"variants":222,"glossary":249,"clauses":283,"how_to_fill":334,"common_mistakes":375,"faqs":400,"industries":428,"comparisons":453,"diy_vs_lawyer":465,"jurisdictions":478,"related_template_ids_curated":499,"schema":508,"classification":509},{"meta_title":177,"meta_description":178,"primary_keyword":179,"secondary_keywords":180},"Advisory Agreement Template (Free Word)","Free advisory agreement template for formalizing advisor relationships. Covers services, compensation, equity, confidentiality, and IP. Used in 190+ countries. Free Word and PDF download.","advisory agreement template",[181,182,183,184,185],"advisory agreement template word","advisory agreement template free","startup advisor agreement","business advisor contract template","advisor equity agreement template",{"name":187,"credential":188,"reviewed_date":189},"Bruno Goulet","CEO, Business in a Box","2026-05-02",{"difficulty":191,"legal_review_recommended":174,"signature_required":174,"notarization_required":192},"medium",false,{"what_it_is":194,"when_you_need_it":195,"whats_inside":196},"An Advisory Agreement is a legally binding contract between a company and an individual advisor that defines the scope of advisory services, the compensation structure (cash, equity, or both), confidentiality obligations, IP ownership, and termination conditions. This free Word download is editable online and can be exported as PDF — ready to execute with a new advisor in under 30 minutes.\n","Use it whenever you bring on a formal advisor — whether compensated with equity, a monthly retainer, or a hybrid arrangement — and need enforceable obligations around confidentiality, deliverables, and IP ownership in writing before sensitive information is shared.\n","Advisor scope and time commitment, compensation terms including cash and equity vesting schedules, confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations, IP assignment, conflict-of-interest disclosures, term and termination provisions, and governing law.\n",[198,202,206,210,214,218],{"title":199,"use_case":200,"icon_asset_id":201},"Startup founders","Formalizing equity-for-advice arrangements with industry mentors before sharing cap table details","persona-startup-founder",{"title":203,"use_case":204,"icon_asset_id":205},"CEOs and executives","Engaging domain experts to advise on market entry, fundraising, or product strategy","persona-ceo",{"title":207,"use_case":208,"icon_asset_id":209},"Advisors and consultants","Protecting their own interests by ensuring compensation and IP terms are documented in writing","persona-consultant",{"title":211,"use_case":212,"icon_asset_id":213},"Investors and board members","Structuring formal advisory roles separate from board duties with distinct compensation terms","persona-investor",{"title":215,"use_case":216,"icon_asset_id":217},"Small business owners","Bringing on a specialist advisor without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire","persona-small-business-owner",{"title":219,"use_case":220,"icon_asset_id":221},"Corporate development teams","Engaging external advisors to support M&A diligence or integration planning","persona-operations-director",[223,227,231,234,237,241,245],{"situation":224,"recommended_template":225,"slug":226},"Compensating a startup advisor with equity only, no cash retainer","Startup Advisor Agreement (Equity-Only)","advisor-agreement-D13243",{"situation":228,"recommended_template":229,"slug":230},"Engaging a paid consultant for a defined project rather than ongoing advice","Consulting Agreement","consulting-agreement---long-D12543",{"situation":232,"recommended_template":46,"slug":233},"Establishing a formal advisory board with multiple members","advisory-board-agreement-D13898",{"situation":235,"recommended_template":87,"slug":236},"Bringing on a part-time fractional executive (CFO, CMO, CTO)","independent-contractor-agreement-D160",{"situation":238,"recommended_template":239,"slug":240},"Engaging a strategic partner for co-marketing or business development","Strategic Partnership Agreement","strategic-partnership-agreement-D14070",{"situation":242,"recommended_template":243,"slug":244},"Formalizing a mentorship relationship with no financial compensation","Mentorship Agreement","non-profit-partnership-agreement-D14023",{"situation":246,"recommended_template":247,"slug":248},"Sharing sensitive information before finalizing advisory terms","Non-Disclosure Agreement","non-disclosure-agreement-nda-D12692",[250,253,256,259,262,265,268,271,274,277,280],{"term":251,"definition":252},"Advisory Services","The specific guidance, introductions, strategic input, or expertise the advisor agrees to provide under the contract.",{"term":254,"definition":255},"Vesting Schedule","A timeline defining when an advisor earns their equity grant, typically monthly over 12–24 months with or without a cliff.",{"term":257,"definition":258},"Cliff","A minimum period — commonly 3 or 6 months — that must pass before any equity vests; if the advisor leaves before the cliff, no equity is earned.",{"term":260,"definition":261},"Restricted Stock","Company shares granted to an advisor subject to vesting conditions; unvested shares are forfeited upon early termination.",{"term":263,"definition":264},"Stock Option","A contractual right to purchase company shares at a fixed price (the exercise or strike price) for a defined period, commonly used to compensate advisors.",{"term":266,"definition":267},"IP Assignment","A clause transferring ownership of any work product, ideas, or materials the advisor creates in connection with their advisory role to the company.",{"term":269,"definition":270},"Conflict of Interest","A situation where the advisor's personal interests or other professional relationships could compromise their objectivity or loyalty to the company.",{"term":272,"definition":273},"Retainer","A fixed recurring cash payment — typically monthly — made to the advisor in exchange for ongoing availability and advisory services.",{"term":275,"definition":276},"At-Will Termination","A provision allowing either party to end the advisory relationship at any time without cause, subject to any agreed notice period.",{"term":278,"definition":279},"Good Leaver / Bad Leaver","Provisions distinguishing between an advisor who departs cooperatively (good leaver, retains vested equity) and one terminated for cause (bad leaver, may forfeit equity).",{"term":281,"definition":282},"Work Made for Hire","A legal doctrine under US copyright law where work created by a contractor within the scope of a commissioned task automatically belongs to the hiring party.",[284,289,294,299,304,309,314,319,324,329],{"name":285,"plain_english":286,"sample_language":287,"common_mistake":288},"Parties and recitals","Identifies the company and the advisor as legal parties, states the date of the agreement, and briefly describes why the relationship is being formed.","This Advisory Agreement ('Agreement') is entered into as of [DATE] between [COMPANY LEGAL NAME], a [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE] ('Company'), and [ADVISOR FULL NAME], an individual ('Advisor').","Using a trade name or brand name for the company instead of its registered legal entity name — this creates enforceability issues if the agreement needs to be acted on in court or during an acquisition.",{"name":290,"plain_english":291,"sample_language":292,"common_mistake":293},"Scope of advisory services","Defines what the advisor will actually do — the specific areas of expertise they are providing, the expected time commitment per month, and the format of engagement (calls, in-person meetings, email).","Advisor agrees to provide advisory services in the area of [DOMAIN], including [SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES]. Advisor will make themselves available for approximately [X] hours per month, including [MEETING FORMAT].","Leaving the scope completely open-ended. Without defined time commitments and service areas, neither party has a baseline for whether the relationship is working — and compensation disputes become impossible to resolve.",{"name":295,"plain_english":296,"sample_language":297,"common_mistake":298},"Term and renewal","Sets the start date and duration of the agreement, and states whether it renews automatically or requires affirmative renewal by both parties.","This Agreement commences on [START DATE] and continues for [12/24] months ('Initial Term'), unless earlier terminated. The Agreement shall [automatically renew for successive [6]-month terms / expire at the end of the Initial Term] unless either party provides [30] days' written notice of non-renewal.","Omitting a renewal or expiration clause entirely, leaving the agreement open-ended with no natural review point — advisors accumulate equity beyond what was intended when the relationship was informally never ended.",{"name":300,"plain_english":301,"sample_language":302,"common_mistake":303},"Compensation — cash retainer","States any cash payment the company will make to the advisor, including the amount, payment frequency, and invoicing requirements.","In consideration of the advisory services, Company shall pay Advisor a monthly retainer of $[AMOUNT], payable on the [1st / 15th] of each month, beginning [START DATE]. Advisor shall submit an invoice within [5] business days of each period end.","Omitting whether the retainer is subject to withholding or whether the advisor is treated as an independent contractor. Misclassification risk applies — ensure the agreement clearly establishes contractor status and excludes employment benefits.",{"name":305,"plain_english":306,"sample_language":307,"common_mistake":308},"Compensation — equity grant","Defines the equity award type (options or restricted stock), grant size, exercise price if applicable, vesting schedule, cliff, and what happens to unvested equity on termination.","Company shall grant Advisor [X] shares of restricted common stock / options to purchase [X] shares at an exercise price of $[PRICE] per share. The grant vests monthly over [24] months, with a [3]-month cliff. Unvested shares are forfeited immediately upon termination for any reason.","Granting equity without a vesting schedule or cliff. An advisor who disengages after one month retaining a full equity grant is a cap table problem that is expensive and awkward to undo.",{"name":310,"plain_english":311,"sample_language":312,"common_mistake":313},"Confidentiality and non-disclosure","Prohibits the advisor from disclosing or misusing the company's confidential information — financials, customer data, product roadmaps, personnel details — during and after the agreement.","Advisor agrees to hold all Confidential Information of the Company in strict confidence and not to disclose or use it for any purpose outside the advisory relationship. 'Confidential Information' means any non-public information relating to the Company's business, technology, customers, or finances.","Failing to define 'Confidential Information' with enough specificity. Relying on 'anything the company considers confidential' creates ambiguity that weakens enforceability when a disclosure actually occurs.",{"name":315,"plain_english":316,"sample_language":317,"common_mistake":318},"Intellectual property assignment","Assigns to the company any work product, ideas, inventions, or materials the advisor creates in connection with their advisory role.","Advisor hereby assigns to Company all right, title, and interest in any work product, inventions, or materials created by Advisor in connection with the advisory services, including all intellectual property rights therein.","No IP assignment clause at all, or language limited to 'deliverables submitted to the company.' Strategy documents, prototypes, or introductions that generate IP can fall outside a narrow clause, leaving ownership in dispute.",{"name":320,"plain_english":321,"sample_language":322,"common_mistake":323},"Conflict of interest and non-solicitation","Requires the advisor to disclose existing and future conflicts, and prohibits them from soliciting the company's employees or customers for a defined period after the agreement ends.","Advisor represents that there are no existing conflicts of interest and agrees to promptly disclose any that arise. For [12] months following termination, Advisor shall not solicit any employee or customer of the Company.","Omitting conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements entirely. Advisors who simultaneously advise direct competitors without disclosure create legal and reputational risk — the clause is also the company's basis for termination for cause if a conflict surfaces later.",{"name":325,"plain_english":326,"sample_language":327,"common_mistake":328},"Termination and post-termination obligations","States the notice period for termination by either party, the conditions that allow immediate termination for cause, and ongoing obligations — confidentiality, IP assignment — that survive termination.","Either party may terminate this Agreement on [30] days' written notice. Company may terminate immediately for Cause, defined as material breach, fraud, or gross misconduct. Confidentiality and IP assignment obligations survive termination indefinitely.","Not specifying which obligations survive termination. Without a survival clause, a terminated advisor may argue that confidentiality no longer applies once the agreement has ended.",{"name":330,"plain_english":331,"sample_language":332,"common_mistake":333},"Governing law and dispute resolution","Specifies which jurisdiction's law governs the agreement and how disputes will be resolved — litigation, arbitration, or mediation.","This Agreement is governed by the laws of [STATE / PROVINCE / COUNTRY], without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by [AAA / JAMS] in [CITY], except claims for injunctive relief, which may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction.","Choosing a governing law that has no meaningful connection to where the company operates or where the advisor is located. Courts in several jurisdictions will apply local law regardless of the contractual choice, particularly on IP and non-solicitation issues.",[335,340,345,350,355,360,365,370],{"step":336,"title":337,"description":338,"tip":339},1,"Enter the parties' legal names and the agreement date","Use the company's full registered legal name — not a brand name — and the advisor's legal name as it appears on government-issued ID. Enter the date the agreement will be signed, not the date it was drafted.","Cross-reference your corporate registry filing to confirm the exact entity name before circulating for signature.",{"step":341,"title":342,"description":343,"tip":344},2,"Define the scope of services and time commitment","List the specific domains and activities the advisor will contribute — e.g., 'introductions to Series A investors, review of fundraising materials, monthly 60-minute strategy call.' Include the expected monthly time commitment in hours.","Specific scope language protects both parties: the company can enforce it if the advisor goes dark, and the advisor can push back if asked for far more than agreed.",{"step":346,"title":347,"description":348,"tip":349},3,"Set the term, start date, and renewal conditions","Enter the start date and select a term length — 12 or 24 months is standard for startup advisors. Choose whether the agreement auto-renews or lapses unless renewed affirmatively, and set the notice period for non-renewal.","A defined term with a renewal review forces both parties to assess whether the relationship is still valuable — preventing passive equity accumulation by disengaged advisors.",{"step":351,"title":352,"description":353,"tip":354},4,"Complete the cash compensation block","Enter the monthly retainer amount (or $0 if equity-only), payment date, and invoicing requirement. Confirm the independent contractor classification language is present and that no employment benefits are implied.","Even a nominal cash payment of $1 per month can strengthen enforceability of the agreement as a binding contract in some jurisdictions where pure equity grants lack consideration.",{"step":356,"title":357,"description":358,"tip":359},5,"Fill in the equity grant details","Enter the grant type (restricted stock or options), share count, exercise price for options, vesting period, cliff length, and termination treatment. Confirm the grant is consistent with your cap table and any equity plan in place.","Align vesting terms with the FAST Agreement standard (Founder Advisor Standard Template) if your investors are familiar with it — it reduces negotiation time on advisor equity.",{"step":361,"title":362,"description":363,"tip":364},6,"Tailor the conflict-of-interest and non-solicitation terms","List any known existing conflicts the advisor has disclosed and confirm they are acceptable. Set the non-solicitation period — 12 months post-termination is standard — and confirm it covers both employees and customers.","Ask the advisor to confirm in writing (an email is fine) any competing advisory roles before signing. This disclosure becomes part of the deal record and limits future liability.",{"step":366,"title":367,"description":368,"tip":369},7,"Confirm survival and governing law clauses","Verify that confidentiality and IP assignment are listed in the survival clause so they continue after termination. Select the governing law jurisdiction that matches the company's primary place of business.","If your company is incorporated in Delaware but operates in California, specify California as the governing law — California courts will apply their own IP and non-solicitation rules regardless of a Delaware choice-of-law clause.",{"step":371,"title":372,"description":373,"tip":374},8,"Sign before sharing any confidential information","Both parties must execute the agreement before the advisor receives proprietary data, financial information, or access to internal systems. A countersigned agreement with a timestamp is your enforcement baseline.","Use an eSign platform to timestamp execution and store the fully executed copy in a secure location — email attachments of PDFs are easily lost or disputed.",[376,380,384,388,392,396],{"mistake":377,"why_it_matters":378,"fix":379},"Granting equity with no vesting schedule","An advisor who contributes for two months and then disengages retains a full undiluted equity stake, creating a permanent cap table entry with no ongoing benefit to the company.","Always include a monthly vesting schedule with a minimum 3-month cliff. Unvested equity should be forfeited immediately on termination for any reason.",{"mistake":381,"why_it_matters":382,"fix":383},"Leaving the advisory scope undefined","Without a defined scope and time commitment, the company has no basis to measure value delivered or terminate for non-performance, and the advisor has no boundary for what is being asked of them.","Specify the domains of advice, the expected monthly hours, and the format of engagement (calls, written feedback, in-person). Reference these in the termination clause as the performance baseline.",{"mistake":385,"why_it_matters":386,"fix":387},"Omitting a conflict-of-interest disclosure requirement","An advisor who simultaneously advises a direct competitor — without disclosure — can cause competitive harm and create a breach-of-fiduciary-duty exposure, with no contractual basis for immediate termination.","Require the advisor to represent at signing that no conflicts exist and to disclose any that arise during the term within five business days of becoming aware of them.",{"mistake":389,"why_it_matters":390,"fix":391},"No surviving obligations clause","Without explicit survival language, a terminated advisor can argue that confidentiality and IP assignment obligations ended with the agreement, leaving sensitive information and work product unprotected.","Include a standalone survival clause that lists confidentiality, IP assignment, non-solicitation, and governing law as surviving termination indefinitely or for a defined period.",{"mistake":393,"why_it_matters":394,"fix":395},"Signing the agreement after confidential information has already been shared","An advisor who has already received confidential data before signing can argue the agreement lacks consideration — and that the confidentiality clause was not in place when the disclosure occurred.","Always execute the agreement before any confidential discussion. If information was shared before signing, acknowledge the prior disclosure in the agreement and have the advisor explicitly agree it is covered.",{"mistake":397,"why_it_matters":398,"fix":399},"Using the wrong entity name for the company","A trade name or informal brand name is not a legal entity — IP assignment and confidentiality obligations run to the named party, and enforcement against the wrong name creates standing issues in litigation or M&A diligence.","Confirm the exact registered legal name from your corporate registry filing and use it verbatim in the parties clause.",[401,404,407,410,413,416,419,422,425],{"question":402,"answer":403},"What is an advisory agreement?","An advisory agreement is a legally binding contract between a company and an individual advisor that documents the terms of the advisory relationship — including the scope of services, time commitment, compensation (cash, equity, or both), confidentiality obligations, IP ownership, and termination conditions. It protects both parties by creating enforceable obligations before any sensitive information is exchanged or equity is committed.\n",{"question":405,"answer":406},"What should an advisory agreement include?","At minimum, an advisory agreement should cover: parties and recitals, scope of services and time commitment, term and renewal conditions, cash compensation if applicable, equity grant details with vesting schedule and cliff, confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations, IP assignment, conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements, non-solicitation restrictions, termination and survival provisions, and governing law. Missing any of these creates gaps that default to jurisdiction-specific rules, which may not favor the company.\n",{"question":408,"answer":409},"How is an advisory agreement different from a consulting agreement?","A consulting agreement typically governs a defined project or deliverable with a specific output — a report, a software build, a marketing campaign. An advisory agreement governs an ongoing relationship where the advisor provides strategic guidance, introductions, and expertise without producing a defined work product. Advisors are commonly compensated with equity; consultants are more typically paid a project fee or hourly rate. Both documents should include confidentiality and IP assignment clauses, but the scope and compensation structures differ materially.\n",{"question":411,"answer":412},"How much equity should I give an advisor?","Typical startup advisor equity grants range from 0.1% to 0.5% of fully diluted shares, depending on the advisor's seniority, the value of their network, the stage of the company, and the time commitment expected. Early-stage companies with no revenue often grant at the higher end of this range. The FAST Agreement framework from Founder Institute provides a commonly referenced tiered structure: standard (0.25%), strategic (0.50%), and expert (1.00%) — though actual grants are always negotiated case by case and should be reviewed against your cap table.\n",{"question":414,"answer":415},"Do advisory agreements need to be notarized?","Notarization is not required for advisory agreements to be legally enforceable in the US, Canada, the UK, or most EU member states. A signed agreement — including an electronically signed document — is generally sufficient. Some equity grants may require a separate board resolution or stock option plan documentation, but the advisory agreement itself does not need notarization in standard commercial practice.\n",{"question":417,"answer":418},"What vesting terms are standard for advisor equity?","The most common structure for startup advisor equity is monthly vesting over 12 to 24 months with a 3- to 6-month cliff. Monthly vesting aligns equity accumulation with ongoing contribution more closely than annual vesting. The cliff ensures the advisor has demonstrated genuine value before any equity vests. Upon termination, unvested equity is typically forfeited immediately, while vested equity is retained by the advisor unless terminated for cause under a bad-leaver provision.\n",{"question":420,"answer":421},"Can an advisor agreement be terminated early?","Yes. Standard advisory agreements allow either party to terminate with written notice — typically 30 days — for any reason or no reason. Companies can usually terminate immediately for cause, defined as material breach, fraud, or gross misconduct. Upon early termination, the advisor retains any vested equity but forfeits unvested shares or options. Confidentiality and IP assignment obligations typically survive termination regardless of who initiates it or why.\n",{"question":423,"answer":424},"Is an advisory agreement the same as an advisory board agreement?","An advisory board agreement governs a formal multi-member advisory board with defined governance structures, meeting cadences, and collective responsibilities. A standard advisory agreement is a bilateral contract between the company and a single individual advisor. Many companies start with individual advisory agreements and later consolidate terms into an advisory board charter — but each advisor still typically executes their own individual agreement covering their specific equity grant and compensation terms.\n",{"question":426,"answer":427},"Does an advisory agreement cover non-compete restrictions?","Most advisory agreements do not include a post-termination non-compete for advisors, because advisors typically serve multiple companies simultaneously and broad non-competes would make the role unattractive. Non-solicitation clauses — preventing the advisor from poaching employees or customers — are far more common and generally enforceable. Conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements, which obligate the advisor to reveal competing relationships during the term, provide a practical substitute for a formal non-compete in most advisory contexts.\n",[429,433,437,441,445,449],{"industry":430,"icon_asset_id":431,"specifics":432},"Technology / SaaS","industry-saas","Equity-for-advice structures are standard; IP assignment clauses must cover software, algorithms, and product feedback to protect pre-funding IP ownership claims during due diligence.",{"industry":434,"icon_asset_id":435,"specifics":436},"Financial Services","industry-fintech","Regulatory conflicts of interest require explicit disclosure provisions; FINRA and FCA rules may restrict certain advisors from holding equity in firms they advise — legal review is strongly recommended.",{"industry":438,"icon_asset_id":439,"specifics":440},"Healthcare / Life Sciences","industry-healthtech","Key opinion leader (KOL) advisory arrangements are subject to anti-kickback statute scrutiny; compensation must be at fair market value and documented with independent valuation support.",{"industry":442,"icon_asset_id":443,"specifics":444},"Professional Services","industry-professional-services","Client non-solicitation provisions are critical given fee-based business models; advisors with existing client relationships at competing firms need explicit conflict-of-interest carve-outs or exclusions.",{"industry":446,"icon_asset_id":447,"specifics":448},"Manufacturing","industry-manufacturing","Technical advisors may contribute patentable process improvements; IP assignment clauses must explicitly cover inventions and process innovations, not just written deliverables.",{"industry":450,"icon_asset_id":451,"specifics":452},"Retail / E-commerce","industry-ecommerce","Growth advisors and marketplace specialists often advise multiple competing brands simultaneously; conflict-of-interest disclosure and limited confidentiality carve-outs for general industry knowledge are commonly negotiated.",[454,457,459,461],{"vs":229,"vs_template_id":455,"summary":456},"consulting-agreement-D168","A consulting agreement governs a defined project with a specific deliverable, timeline, and project fee. An advisory agreement governs an ongoing strategic relationship with no defined deliverable — the advisor provides guidance, connections, and expertise over time. Consultants are typically paid cash per project; advisors are commonly compensated with equity. Both documents need confidentiality and IP assignment clauses, but the scope and compensation structures differ substantially.",{"vs":87,"vs_template_id":236,"summary":458},"An independent contractor agreement is used for a broader range of services — development, design, operations — where the contractor executes defined work for a fee. An advisory agreement is specifically tailored to the mentorship and guidance relationship, typically including equity compensation and lighter deliverable obligations. Misusing a contractor agreement for an advisor relationship leaves equity terms unaddressed and creates misclassification exposure.",{"vs":247,"vs_template_id":248,"summary":460},"An NDA covers confidentiality only — it protects information shared during exploratory conversations before a formal engagement is agreed. An advisory agreement includes confidentiality as one clause but also covers compensation, equity, IP assignment, scope, and termination. Use an NDA before advisory discussions begin, then replace or supplement it with a full advisory agreement once terms are agreed.",{"vs":462,"vs_template_id":463,"summary":464},"Employment Contract","employment-agreement_at-will-employee-D541","An employment contract creates an employer-employee relationship with associated payroll obligations, benefits, statutory protections, and ongoing duties of loyalty. An advisory agreement creates an independent contractor relationship with no employment entitlements — no benefits, no tax withholding, no minimum wage protections. If the advisory role involves regular direction and control over how work is performed, misclassification risk is significant and an employment contract may be more appropriate.",{"use_template":466,"template_plus_review":470,"custom_drafted":474},{"best_for":467,"cost":468,"time":469},"Standard equity-for-advice arrangements with early-stage startup advisors in a single jurisdiction","Free","30 minutes",{"best_for":471,"cost":472,"time":473},"Advisors receiving more than 0.5% equity, regulated industries (fintech, healthcare), or cross-border arrangements","$300–$700","1–3 days",{"best_for":475,"cost":476,"time":477},"High-profile advisors with material equity, complex conflict-of-interest situations, or arrangements subject to securities law scrutiny","$1,000–$3,500+","1–2 weeks",[479,484,489,494],{"code":480,"name":481,"flag_asset_id":482,"note":483},"us","United States","flag-us","Advisory agreements are governed by state contract law. Equity grants to advisors may trigger securities law requirements — most companies rely on Rule 701 or a Section 4(a)(2) exemption, but grants exceeding certain thresholds require disclosure documents. California voids many IP assignment clauses for off-duty inventions under Labor Code §2870; ensure the IP clause does not purport to capture inventions developed entirely outside the advisory scope. Non-solicitation enforceability varies by state.",{"code":485,"name":486,"flag_asset_id":487,"note":488},"ca","Canada","flag-ca","Advisory agreements are treated as independent contractor contracts; no employment law minimums apply if the relationship is properly structured. Equity grants to Canadian advisors may be subject to securities law requirements under provincial rules — Ontario and British Columbia have specific exemptions for closely held companies. Quebec requires contracts intended to be enforced in the province to be available in French for provincially regulated entities. Non-solicitation clauses are enforceable if reasonable in scope and duration.",{"code":490,"name":491,"flag_asset_id":492,"note":493},"uk","United Kingdom","flag-uk","UK advisory agreements are generally governed by contract law principles; the advisor should be clearly structured as an independent contractor to avoid worker or employee status under the Employment Rights Act 1996. Equity grants to UK advisors may engage the Employment-Related Securities rules under ITEPA 2003, with tax implications for both parties depending on grant structure. Post-termination non-solicitation clauses are enforceable if reasonable. GDPR applies to any personal data the advisor processes in connection with their role.",{"code":495,"name":496,"flag_asset_id":497,"note":498},"eu","European Union","flag-eu","EU member states vary significantly in how they classify independent contractors; France, Germany, and Spain have strict worker-status tests that could reclassify an active advisor as an employee if the degree of direction and control is high. Equity grants may be subject to varying tax treatment across member states — French BSPCEs and German virtual option structures are common alternatives to direct equity grants. GDPR applies to personal data handled by the advisor, and data processing addenda are recommended when the advisor accesses customer or personnel data.",[230,236,248,463,500,501,502,503,504,505,506,507],"partnership-agreement-D12551","service-agreement-D12711","general-non-compete-agreement-D882","letter-of-intent_acquisition-of-business-D5197","minutes-of-meeting-of-directors-D14","adhesion-to-the-unanimous-shareholder-agreement-D848","term-sheet-D473","business-plan-canvas-(one-page)-D12527",{"emit_how_to":174,"emit_defined_term":174},{"primary_folder":110,"secondary_folder":510,"document_type":511,"industry":512,"business_stage":513,"tags":514,"confidence":520},"services-and-consulting","agreement","general","all-stages",[515,516,517,518,519],"consulting","contract","legal","advisory-agreement","equity-compensation",0.95,"\u003Ch2>What is an Advisory Agreement?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>An \u003Cstrong>Advisory Agreement\u003C/strong> is a legally binding contract between a company and an individual advisor that formally governs the advisory relationship. It defines the scope of services the advisor will provide, the time commitment expected, the compensation structure — whether cash retainer, equity grant, or a combination of both — and the critical protective provisions around confidentiality, intellectual property ownership, conflict-of-interest disclosure, and termination. Unlike a casual handshake arrangement or an informal email exchange, a properly executed advisory agreement creates enforceable obligations on both sides before any sensitive business information changes hands or any equity is committed.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2>Why You Need This Document\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Without a written advisory agreement, equity granted to an advisor vests with no performance baseline and no mechanism for forfeiture when the advisor stops engaging — creating a permanent cap table entry that complicates future fundraising and acquisition due diligence. Confidential information shared in advisory conversations — financials, customer lists, product roadmaps — has no contractual protection if no agreement exists, leaving the company with no legal basis for recourse if that information surfaces at a competitor. Intellectual property developed during the advisory relationship, including strategic frameworks, product concepts, or introductions that generate licensing rights, may belong to the advisor by default under copyright and patent law if no assignment clause is in place. A signed advisory agreement, executed before the first substantive conversation, closes all three gaps and gives both parties a clear, documented understanding of what the relationship entails and what happens when it ends.\u003C/p>\n",1781185967775]