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Business Intention Document

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BUSINESS INTENTION DOCUMENT

Document Date:

This Business Intention Document is made between:

Party A Name:    Address:

Party B Name:    Address:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Party A is engaged in the business of providing certain goods and/or services and has represented that it possesses the technical capability and operational resources necessary to perform the proposed work;

WHEREAS, Party B desires to engage Party A on the material terms set forth herein to evaluate, plan, or execute the prospective business arrangement described in this document; and

WHEREAS, the parties intend by this document to set forth their present mutual intentions and the principal commercial terms to be incorporated in a subsequent definitive agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

SCOPE OF WORK

The services and deliverables described above shall be performed and delivered in a professional manner in accordance with industry standards. Any material change to the scope shall require written agreement by both parties.

PAYMENT TERMS

If any undisputed amount due under this document is not paid within days after the due date, interest will accrue on the overdue amount at per month, compounded monthly. In addition, a late fee of may be charged for each delinquent invoice.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Term Commencement Date:    Term End Date:

Either party may terminate this document for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure such breach within the notice period specified above. Termination shall not relieve either party of obligations accrued prior to termination. Provisions that by their nature survive termination, including confidentiality, indemnification, payment obligations, and governing law, shall survive.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party acknowledges that during the course of negotiations and performance it may receive Confidential Information from the other party. "Confidential Information" includes non-public business, technical, financial, customer, and pricing information, whether in written, electronic, or oral form.

The recipient shall: (a) use Confidential Information solely for purposes of evaluating and performing the contemplated business relationship; (b) restrict disclosure to those employees, agents, or advisors who have a need to know and are bound by confidentiality obligations at least as protective as those herein; and (c) take reasonable measures to protect the Confidential Information from unauthorized disclosure. Confidential Information shall not include information that is or becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this obligation, was lawfully in the recipient's possession prior to disclosure, or is independently developed without use of the discloser's Confidential Information.

  The parties agree that the confidentiality obligations set forth in this section are binding and enforceable as of the Document Date.

GOVERNING LAW

This Business Intention Document shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to conflict of laws principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in that State for resolution of disputes arising from this document, subject to any mandatory statutory provisions to the contrary.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Business Intention Document constitutes the entire understanding between the parties with respect to the matters contemplated herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations, and communications, whether written or oral, relating to such matters. Except as expressly provided herein, no promise, representation, or warranty not contained in this document shall be binding on either party.

The parties acknowledge that, except as specifically provided for confidentiality or other expressly stated binding provisions, this document is intended only to record non-binding intentions and to serve as the basis for negotiating a definitive agreement. No obligation to enter into a definitive agreement shall arise unless and until such a definitive written agreement has been executed by duly authorized representatives of both parties, unless otherwise expressly stated herein.

Party A — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Party B — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Business Intention Document Is and When It’s Used

A Business Intention Document records the parties' stated plans for a new or evolving commercial activity, outlining objectives, roles, timelines, financial expectations, and preliminary terms. It may be used to align founders, potential investors, lenders, strategic partners, or advisors during early-stage negotiations and due diligence. The document typically precedes formal formation or definitive agreements and can be structured as non-binding guidance or as a framework for preparing binding contracts once details are finalized. It is not a substitute for incorporation filings or final contractual instruments.

Why drafting a clear Business Intention Document matters

A concise intention document clarifies expectations, reduces misunderstandings, and creates a shared record for negotiations, investor review, or board discussion. It supports decision-making and makes subsequent agreement drafting faster and more accurate.

Why drafting a clear Business Intention Document matters

Typical users and parties involved

Who prepares or relies on this document varies by stage and stakeholder.

  • Founders and co‑founders preparing to form an entity or seek investment.
  • Investors and lenders evaluating initial terms, milestones, and capital needs.
  • Outside advisors (attorneys, accountants) reviewing assumptions and legal implications.

Use appropriate reviewers—legal counsel, accountants, and key stakeholders—before finalizing terms.

Essential sections to include in a professional Business Intention Document

Arrange the document into clear, focused sections so readers can find assumptions, responsibilities, and timelines quickly.

Executive Summary

One‑page overview of the business concept, purpose, and core objectives to orient readers quickly and set expectations.

Objectives

Clear, measurable goals with target dates and success criteria so stakeholders understand intended outcomes and can judge progress objectively.

Market & Customers

High‑level market description, target customers, and competitive positioning that justify assumptions used in financial projections and milestones.

Financial Estimates

Projected revenue, expense assumptions, initial funding needs, and key financial milestones; include ranges and major assumptions explicitly.

Ownership & Roles

Planned equity split, management responsibilities, and decision‑making authorities; identify any conditional vesting or investor preferences.

Milestones & Timeline

Phase‑based milestones (product, pilot, revenue), responsible parties, and target completion dates to drive accountability and measure progress.

Step-by-step: completing and circulating the document

Follow these core steps to prepare, validate, and distribute a Business Intention Document efficiently.

  • 01
    Draft Core Terms: Summarize purpose, scope, and financial assumptions.
  • 02
    Review with Advisors: Seek legal and tax review for material provisions.
  • 03
    Iterate with Stakeholders: Resolve open items and confirm commitments.
  • 04
    Execute and Archive: Collect signatures and store secured copies.

How to configure a standard signing and approval workflow

Set a consistent workflow so reviewers and signers receive documents in the correct order with required authentication.

Field Configuration
Signature order Sequential or parallel routing per stakeholder priority
Authentication Email link with optional SMS or KBA for added assurance
Notifications Automated reminders at configurable intervals
Storage location Secure cloud repository with access controls

Typical eSubmission flow for a Business Intention Document

A standard electronic workflow minimizes delays and preserves an audit trail of who viewed and signed the document.

  • Upload Document: Sender uploads final draft to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and text fields where needed.
  • Add Signers: Enter signer emails and set authentication level.
  • Deliver & Audit: Platform sends invites and logs timestamps and IPs.

Technical considerations for sharing and storing the document

Ensure the selected solution supports secure storage, role-based access, and export to your records management system for long‑term retention.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and fillable forms supported
  • Integrations: CRM and cloud storage connectivity available
  • Audit Trail: Detailed logs, timestamps, and signer data

Security and compliance controls to include or verify

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3; AES‑256 at rest
Audit Trails: Timestamp and IP logging
HIPAA BAA: Signed BAA if PHI involved
ESIGN / UETA: Legal framework compliance
Access Control: Role-based permissions
Retention Policy: Configurable retention settings

Common legal and operational risks to avoid

Incorrect TIN: May trigger backup withholding
Missing Signature: Document may be unenforceable
Improper Notarization: Risk of record rejection
Undefined Dates: Creates ambiguity in performance timing
Inconsistent Names: Ownership disputes possible
Lack of Consent: ESIGN consent requirements unmet

Practical pitfalls when preparing a Business Intention Document

  • Using vague or aspirational language that fails to set measurable obligations or timelines leads to differing expectations.
  • Failing to specify decision authority or escalation paths causes delays when stakeholders disagree about next steps.
  • Omitting material assumptions in financial projections creates confusion during investor review or due diligence.
  • Not keeping versioned copies and a change log results in disputes about which draft was relied upon.

Representative eSignature vendor comparison for document execution

Feature and pricing comparisons help select an eSignature provider that meets security and workflow needs; signNow is listed first for parity with this document's examples.

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 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Illustrative examples of how organizations use a Business Intention Document

Two practical scenarios showing common uses and outcomes when the document is well structured.

Early‑stage Founder

A founder drafts an intention document to clarify fundraising needs and product milestones for advisors.

  • The document sets investor expectations.
  • By documenting assumptions and target metrics, the founder shortened term‑sheet negotiations and reduced revision cycles with counsel and prospective investors.

Real Estate Sponsor

A sponsor records planned project financing, partner roles, and key construction milestones before closing.

  • It aligns lender and contractor expectations.
  • The written plan helped identify permitting dependencies early, improved lender comfort during underwriting, and streamlined the transition to binding construction contracts.

Frequently asked questions about Business Intention Documents and eSigning

Answers to common legal, technical, and procedural questions encountered when preparing or signing a Business Intention Document.


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