Can this be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures meet legal equivalence under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention are satisfied for enforceability. Include consumer disclosures for consumer-facing transactions per ESIGN.

When is notarization required?

Notarization depends on state law and document content; typical business introduction forms do not require notarization. However, deeds, powers of attorney, and some acknowledgements do require notarization or witnesses under state statutes. Verify with the state Secretary of State or notary commission.

What if names or TINs are wrong?

Incorrect names or TINs can cause verification failures and trigger IRS backup withholding at 24%; they may also delay payments and onboarding. Obtain a corrected W-9, validate TIN with IRS TIN Matching for payers, and update records before filing information returns.

Can I use Remote Online Notarization?

Many states permit RON with identity proofing, multi-factor authentication, live audio-video recording, and retention of the notarization session. Verify your state's permanent RON rules and retention requirements before using RON for documents that require notarization.

How long must I keep signed templates?

Retain signed Business Match Templates for at least three years for tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)); retain healthcare-related records six years per 45 CFR §164.530(j). For high-risk or contractual matters, keep records seven years or consult counsel for state-specific requirements.

What are common filing mistakes?

Common errors include inconsistent party names, missing dates, omitted consideration, unsigned signature blocks, and incorrect TINs. These mistakes can lead to processing delays, IRS penalties, backup withholding, or disputes over enforceability; validate fields and run reviews prior to distribution.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Business Match Template

Business Match Template

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

BUSINESS MATCH AGREEMENT

Parties and Effective Date

Client Name Client Address Introducer Name Introducer Address

Effective Date:

Recitals

WHEREAS, Client is engaged in the business of sourcing, evaluating, or acquiring business opportunities, and seeks introductions to prospective business partners, investors, licensees, or acquisition targets (collectively, Prospects); and

WHEREAS, Introducer maintains relationships and networks capable of identifying and introducing Prospects suitable to Client's specified criteria; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth the terms and conditions under which Introducer will perform matchmaking services and Client will compensate Introducer for introductions that result in a Qualified Transaction as defined below.

Definitions

For purposes of this Agreement, "Qualified Transaction" means a written agreement or closing between Client and a Prospect introduced by Introducer that consummates a material business relationship reasonably consistent with the target described in the Scope of Work and results in revenue to Client in excess of the threshold amount agreed herein.

Scope of Work

Description of Match Services

Fees and Payment Terms

Client agrees to pay Introducer a fee for successful matches as follows:

Fee Structure (flat or percentage) Payment Amount Payment Schedule and Conditions

Payments shall be due within days of invoice. Late payments shall incur interest at the lesser of (i) % per month, or (ii) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law. In addition, Client will pay a late fee of for each invoice more than days overdue.

Term and Termination

This Agreement commences on and continues until unless earlier terminated in accordance with this Section.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon days' prior written notice to the other party. Either party may terminate immediately for material breach by the other party that remains uncured for days following written notice of such breach. Termination does not relieve Client of its obligation to pay fees for Qualified Transactions that were introduced prior to termination or that arise from negotiations in progress at the time of termination where the parties reasonably conclude that the transaction resulted from Introducer's introduction.

Confidentiality

Each party shall keep confidential and shall not disclose any Confidential Information of the other party except as required to perform under this Agreement or as required by law. "Confidential Information" includes business plans, target lists, contact information, financial terms, and other non-public information marked or reasonably understood to be confidential. Confidentiality obligations shall continue for years following termination, provided that trade secrets remain protected for as long as they qualify as trade secrets under applicable law.

Representations and Warranties; Indemnity

Each party represents that it has the authority to enter into this Agreement. Introducer represents that it will perform introductions in a professional manner and will disclose any material relationships or conflicts of interest. Client shall indemnify and hold Introducer harmless from claims arising out of Client's use of introductions, except to the extent caused by Introducer's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without regard to its conflicts of law principles.

Miscellaneous

Assignment: 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 of its assets.

Notices: All notices shall be in writing and delivered to the contact details set forth below or such other address as a party designates by notice. Notices are effective upon receipt.

Client Contact (for notices) Introducer Contact (for notices)

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including any appendices and the expressly incorporated terms set forth herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior discussions, proposals, or agreements. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

Client:

By:

Date:

Introducer:

By:

Date:

What the Business Match Template Is and When It’s Used

The Business Match Template is a standardized form used to record and confirm the details of a prospective commercial pairing between two businesses, such as vendor-customer matches, partnership introductions, or service provider referrals. It captures identifying information, scope of services, proposed terms, responsible contacts, and key dates to streamline vetting and onboarding. Organizations use the template to compare options, maintain a traceable record of introductions, and reduce manual errors during handoffs. When combined with a secure eSignature solution, it supports authenticated acceptance and creates an auditable record.

Why organizations rely on a structured template

Use the Business Match Template to standardize introductions, document responsibilities, and preserve negotiation history. It reduces ambiguity between parties, accelerates internal approvals, and provides a clear record for compliance reviews without replacing formal contracts or legal review when substantive terms are negotiated.

Teams that commonly prepare and rely on this template

Common users include procurement, business development, and client success teams within companies managing introductions and partner evaluations.

Procurement teams: compare vendor capabilities, track contacts, and document preliminary terms for sourcing decisions.
Business development: record referral introductions, note mutual expectations, and maintain prospecting history across deals.
Client success and operations: manage onboarding tasks, assign owners, and capture required documentation for handoff.

The template supports cross-functional reviews and creates a single reference for follow-up actions and accountability.

A simple four-step completion workflow

Complete the Business Match Template in a defined sequence to ensure data quality, approvals, and an auditable record before sharing with counterparties.

01

Prepare: Collect company IDs, contacts, and scope details.
02

Enter Data: Fill fields exactly; use MM/DD/YYYY for dates.
03

Review: Confirm terms, responsibilities, and signatures.
04

Distribute: Send copies to stakeholders and retain originals.

Typical digital routing and signature flow

Typical routing uses role-based steps to collect approvals, capture signatures, and archive a timestamped audit trail for future reference.

Upload: Upload the template as PDF or DOCX to the platform.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and contact fields where required.
Authenticate: Choose authentication level: email, SMS, or KBA.
Complete: Signer accepts and system saves audit trail.

Key workflow settings to configure

Configure workflow settings to match approval order, notifications, and signer authentication before sending the Business Match Template for signatures.

Field	Configuration
Approval Order	Sequential or parallel routing
Notifications	Email and optional SMS alerts
Authentication	Email link, SMS code, or KBA
Reminders	Automated reminders at set intervals

Technical and integration considerations

Digital delivery requires PDF or DOCX source files, stable internet, and a compliant eSignature provider.

File types: PDF and Microsoft Word DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box
Authentication: Email link, SMS code, or stronger

Comparing basic plan features and pricing

A quick comparison of plan features and pricing among major eSignature vendors for organizations evaluating the Business Match Template workflow.

	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	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available	Trial available
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 envelopes/user/year	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan

Practical practices to reduce errors and speed processing

Follow consistent naming, versioning, and approval workflows to keep Business Match Templates reliable and auditable across teams.

Standardize file names and metadata

Use a consistent naming convention that includes date, parties, and version number. Add searchable metadata fields for counterparty, industry, and template version to speed retrieval and reduce duplicates. Document retention policy should be linked to each file record.

Require role-based approval and accountability

Define an approval order with named approvers and fallback owners. Track timestamps and actions in the audit trail to show who approved and when for compliance. Use conditional routing to prevent bypassing critical reviews.

Validate key fields and identifiers

Automate validation of tax IDs, email formats, and address fields. Flag mismatches and require correction before signature to avoid delays, penalties, or backup withholding when TINs are incorrect. Include help text and examples.

Attach supporting documents and key exhibits

Include invoices, proposals, certificates of authority, or proof of insurance where relevant. Maintain these attachments with the signed template and index them for audits to ensure completeness. Label attachments consistently.

Consequences of incorrect or incomplete templates

Tax Withholding: Incorrect TIN may trigger 24% backup withholding

Filing Penalties: Late or incorrect information returns can trigger IRC §6721 fines

Null Agreement: Ambiguous terms can lead to unenforceability

Privacy Breach: PHI mishandling may violate HIPAA BAA

Notarization Failure: Missing notarization can invalidate acknowledgment

Authority Risk: Signer without authority may void obligations

Common preparation pitfalls to avoid

Using informal names or nicknames in the party name field causes verification mismatches and delays in vendor onboarding when official records differ.
Leaving effective date blank or using inconsistent date formats can create disputes about which obligations apply and when performance should begin.
Failing to specify consideration or scope leaves open-ended expectations that complicate billing, acceptance, and potential termination disputes.
Not confirming signer authority before distribution may result in unsigned agreements or later repudiation, requiring rework and possible legal review.

Examples of how organizations use the template

Two real-world examples show how the Business Match Template clarifies introductions and preserves audit trails for follow-up.

Optica Ventures — partner intake

Optica Ventures standardized partner introductions with the Business Match Template to capture contact details and proposed terms before outreach.

Adoption improved consistency across reps.
Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, notes the interface is simple and easy to use for internal teams and customers, enabling faster handoffs and clearer expectations without repeated email threads; the auditable record simplified follow-up and accountability.

Martin Properties — lease intake

Martin Properties used the template to track lease introductions, attach property exhibits, and document assigned owners for each task in the closing process.

Reduced the need for in-person signatures and handoffs.
Tim Martin reported he could process and execute documents online with compliance and security, enabling faster closings, fewer lost forms, and a single source of truth for audit and post-closing tasks without additional travel or paper handling.

Answers to frequent questions and common issues

Answers to frequent questions about completing, signing, and storing the Business Match Template, including authentication, notarization, and retention considerations.

Need help? Contact support

Can this be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures meet legal equivalence under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted; ensure intent, consent, attribution, and retention are satisfied for enforceability. Include consumer disclosures for consumer-facing transactions per ESIGN.
When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on state law and document content; typical business introduction forms do not require notarization. However, deeds, powers of attorney, and some acknowledgements do require notarization or witnesses under state statutes. Verify with the state Secretary of State or notary commission.
What if names or TINs are wrong?
Incorrect names or TINs can cause verification failures and trigger IRS backup withholding at 24%; they may also delay payments and onboarding. Obtain a corrected W-9, validate TIN with IRS TIN Matching for payers, and update records before filing information returns.
Can I use Remote Online Notarization?
Many states permit RON with identity proofing, multi-factor authentication, live audio-video recording, and retention of the notarization session. Verify your state's permanent RON rules and retention requirements before using RON for documents that require notarization.
How long must I keep signed templates?
Retain signed Business Match Templates for at least three years for tax purposes (IRC §6501(a)); retain healthcare-related records six years per 45 CFR §164.530(j). For high-risk or contractual matters, keep records seven years or consult counsel for state-specific requirements.
What are common filing mistakes?
Common errors include inconsistent party names, missing dates, omitted consideration, unsigned signature blocks, and incorrect TINs. These mistakes can lead to processing delays, IRS penalties, backup withholding, or disputes over enforceability; validate fields and run reviews prior to distribution.

be ready to get more

Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users

Sign Now