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Notarization is required for certain supporting documents (for example, deeds or affidavits). Verify the state-specific rule before notarizing; RON may be available where permitted.

What causes identity verification failures?

Common causes include mismatched legal names, expired IDs, or incorrect TINs. Use standardized name fields and request government-issued ID when identity proofing is necessary.

How long must we retain records?

Retention varies: IRS records three years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Use the longest applicable retention rule for combined record sets.

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Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Hunt Template

Business Hunt Template

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS HUNT TEMPLATE

This Business Hunt Template (the Agreement) is entered into on between Client Name: and Service Provider Name: .

Client Entity Type

Individual Corporation LLC Partnership

Client Address Provider Entity Type

Individual Corporation LLC Partnership

Provider Address

Recitals

WHEREAS, Client desires to engage Provider to perform business hunting services consisting of identifying, qualifying and presenting acquisition or partnership opportunities (the Services) suitable to Client's objectives and risk profile; and

WHEREAS, Provider represents that it possesses the experience, personnel and resources necessary to perform the Services and will perform such Services in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth their respective obligations, compensation and other terms governing the engagement.

Scope of Work

Provider shall perform the Services described below. Services include but are not limited to market research, target identification, initial outreach, qualification calls, preparation of opportunity summaries, and coordination of introductions and meetings with identified targets.

Detailed Scope / Deliverables Key Performance Indicators

Payment Terms

In consideration for the Services, Client shall pay Provider the compensation set forth below in accordance with the invoicing and payment provisions.

Total Compensation Payment Schedule Invoice Due (Net Days) Late Fee

Overdue amounts shall incur a late fee of % per month on the outstanding balance, compounded monthly, and Client shall reimburse Provider for reasonable collection costs incurred.

Payment Method

Term and Termination

This Agreement shall commence on Start Date: and continue until End Date: unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Termination Without Cause

Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause upon providing written notice to the other party at least days prior to the effective termination date. Upon termination, Provider shall be paid for Services performed and unreimbursed expenses incurred through the effective date.

Termination For Cause

Either party may terminate for material breach if the non-breaching party provides written notice and the breaching party fails to cure within days of receipt of such notice.

Confidentiality

Each party shall keep confidential and shall not disclose to any third party any Confidential Information disclosed by the other party, except as expressly permitted in writing. "Confidential Information" includes non-public business, financial, technical, strategic and customer information disclosed in connection with this Agreement. The obligations of confidentiality shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years, except with respect to trade secrets for which protection shall be maintained for so long as such information qualifies as a trade secret under applicable law.

Exceptions to Confidentiality (if any)

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to conflict of laws principles. The parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in that state for any dispute arising under this Agreement.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with any exhibits or attachments and any written change orders signed by both parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether written or oral.

Miscellaneous

Neither party may assign this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other, except that either party may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a merger or sale of substantially all assets. No waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by the waiving party. If any provision is held unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Notices Contact - Client Notices Contact - Provider

Client

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Provider

Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What the Business Hunt Template Is

The Business Hunt Template is a structured, reusable document for tracking, evaluating, and documenting searches for business opportunities, target companies, or acquisition prospects. It standardizes key data fields—entity details, valuation metrics, contact history, due-diligence checklists, and decision rationale—so teams capture consistent information across deals and maintain an audit-ready record for internal review and regulatory needs.

Why a Standardized Business Hunt Template Matters

Using a consistent template reduces data gaps, speeds analysis, and creates defensible records for compliance or audit. It helps teams compare targets objectively, reduces rework, and preserves a clear chain of actions and dates that supports internal approvals and regulatory oversight.

Who Typically Completes and Uses This Template

Teams that run deal sourcing, corporate development, investment scouting, or strategic vendor selection commonly complete the Business Hunt Template to centralize findings before formal diligence.

Corporate development associates and analysts who screen and qualify potential targets for acquisition.
Private equity and venture teams documenting initial investment hypotheses and contact outcomes.
Business development leaders coordinating outreach, partnership offers, and vendor selection.

The template also serves compliance, legal, and finance reviewers who need a concise summary of the deal rationale, timelines, and supporting documents.

Essential Sections to Include in a Professional Template

A robust Business Hunt Template includes standardized sections so reviewers can evaluate targets quickly and consistently. Each section should be concise but complete to support decision-making and later reference.

Target Overview

Company name, legal entity, jurisdiction, primary contact, and short business description for quick identification.

Financial Snapshot

Revenue, EBITDA, cash position, recent valuations, and key financial ratios to support preliminary screening.

Strategic Fit

Market position, product alignment, customer overlap, and rationale for pursuing the opportunity.

Engagement Log

Date-stamped record of outreach, meetings, documents exchanged, and next steps for traceability.

Risk Checklist

IP, regulatory, legal, tax, and operational risk flags with a short mitigation note for each item.

Decision Outcome

Recommended action (pass, monitor, pursue) with approver name, date, and required follow-ups.

Required Fields and Key Data Elements

Entity Name: Full legal name

EIN/TIN: Tax identifier

Primary Contact: Name and role

Contact Details: Phone and business email

Valuation Metric: Revenue or EBITDA

Document Links: Due-diligence files

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Business Hunt Template

Complete the template in sequence so reviewers have the factual record needed to act and to reduce follow-up questions.

01

Gather Data: Collect entity records, financials, and contact history before entry.
02

Fill Core Fields: Populate identification, valuation, and contact sections first.
03

Log Engagements: Record each outreach with date and outcome.
04

Approval Record: Add decision, approver name, and date for final disposition.

Configuring an Online Workflow for the Template

Set up a digital workflow to route the template for review, approval, and secure storage while preserving an immutable audit log.

Field	Configuration
Approval Order	Sequential reviewers with two approver levels
Notifications	Email alerts and reminders on pending items
Versioning	Enable automatic version history
Audit Trail	Capture timestamps, IPs, and signer identity

Typical Routing and Submission Paths

Templates often move through a set sequence: intake, screening, approval, and archival. Map those handoffs before using the template at scale.

Intake: Initial entry and document attachment
Screening: Analyst review and quick rejection or pass
Approval: Manager or committee sign-off
Archive: Store final record with retention metadata

Digital Signing and Distribution Considerations

Choose a platform that supports secure e-signatures, audit trails, and integrations with your document repository and CRM.

File Formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: CRM and cloud storage
Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger

Key Timelines and Deadlines to Track

Track dates from initial contact through final approval and archival; missed dates can create legal or tax exposure and delay downstream processes.

Initial Contact Date:

Record when outreach first occurred

Screening Deadline:

Internal cutoff for preliminary decision

Approval Date:

Date of formal sign-off and authority

Document Receipt:

When supporting files were obtained

Archival Date:

When final record is stored

Milestones from Sourcing to Archival

A sequenced milestone view helps teams coordinate tasks, handoffs, and time-bound approvals across the deal lifecycle.

01

Sourcing

Identify target and record basic facts.

02

Preliminary Screening

Assess fit and financial thresholds.

03

Approval

Obtain formal authorization to proceed.

04

Closure and Archive

Finalize records and move to long-term storage.

Common Mistakes When Preparing the Template

Entering inconsistent entity names, which complicates background checks and legal searches and delays verification.
Failing to timestamp outreach and approvals, which obscures who acted and when and impairs audits.
Omitting source documents or linking to transient files, resulting in missing evidence during review or regulatory inquiry.
Using vague valuation notes without clear periods or assumptions, leading to misinterpretation during decision meetings.

Penalties and Risks If the Template Is Incorrect

Tax Reporting Risk: Incorrect identifiers can trigger penalties; see IRC §6721

I-9 Violations: Improper documentation can cause DHS fines

Contract Disputes: Poor records increase litigation exposure

Regulatory Scrutiny: Missing evidence may prompt agency review

Data Breach Risk: Insecure storage raises compliance issues

Reputational Harm: Public disputes can damage trust

Representative Use Cases

Real-world examples show how teams adapt the Business Hunt Template for common scenarios.

Early-Stage Screening

A venture team logs founders and ARR

Quick note on product-market fit
The template fed into a two-week diligence sprint and preserved timestamps for investor updates.

Acquisition Pipeline

A corporate development group tracks targets and valuation metrics

Documents attached and dated
Consistent records shortened approval review and provided an auditable trail for finance and legal.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Signing and Managing the Template

Compare basic pricing and feature availability for common eSignature vendors; signNow is listed first per standard comparison layout.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial, no card	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 env/user/yr	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, and storing the Business Hunt Template, with practical troubleshooting tips.

Need help? Contact support

Can this template be e-signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are legally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in most states, provided intent, consent, attribution, and retention requirements are met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is required for certain supporting documents (for example, deeds or affidavits). Verify the state-specific rule before notarizing; RON may be available where permitted.
What causes identity verification failures?
Common causes include mismatched legal names, expired IDs, or incorrect TINs. Use standardized name fields and request government-issued ID when identity proofing is necessary.
How long must we retain records?
Retention varies: IRS records three years (IRC §6501(a)), HIPAA six years (45 CFR §164.530(j)). Use the longest applicable retention rule for combined record sets.
What if a signer refuses electronic signing?
If a signer declines e-signatures, obtain a handwritten signature and record the reason. For consumer-facing transactions, ensure the ESIGN consumer disclosure and consent procedures were followed.
Which eSignature plan supports bulk sending?
Bulk send features are typically included on higher tiers; common plan names include Business Premium and Enterprise or usage-based Site License options for high-volume needs.

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