FREE 6+ Startup Business Partnership Agreement Samples in PDF | MS Word | Google Docs

Deciding to go into business for yourself is a big step, but deciding to join forces with a partner is a whole new ballgame. Consider organizing your firm as a general partnership if you’re thinking about launching a business with a partner. General partnerships are one of the most frequent legal business entities, allowing two or more people to share ownership of the company’s assets, income, and liabilities. It’s critical to realize that in a general partnership, each person is responsible for the business and is liable for the activities of their partner(s).

What does a partnership mean? A partnership is a commercial entity that is owned by two or more people. State rules control partnerships, and a new partnership must register with the state where it will conduct business. Each partner is a part of the organization’s revenues and losses and may have a say in how the business is run. The partners, not the firm, are taxed for tax purposes. That is, through their tax returns, the partners pay their share of the partnership’s taxes based on their stake in the partnership.

6+ Startup Business Partnership Agreement Samples

1. Startup Business Partnership Agreement

What is a business partnership agreement? A business partnership agreement lays down the groundwork for how a company will run and what each partner’s function will be. Business partnership agreements are in place to handle any disagreements that may develop, as well as to define roles and how profits and losses are distributed. A business partnership agreement should be created by any business partnership in which two or more people possess a stake in the company, as these legal agreements could provide crucial guidance in the event of a crisis.

2. Sample Startup Business Partnership Agreement

3. Simple Startup Business Partnership Agreement

4. Startup Business Program Partnership Agreement

5. Education Startup Business Partnership Agreement

6. Small Business Startup Partnership Agreement

7. Startup Business Partnership Agreement Example

Creating a Startup Business Partnership Agreement

Every business’s partnership agreement should be tailored to its demands. To construct your agreement, we recommend using a legal template or consulting a company lawyer. They’ll make sure your partnership agreement is compliant with state regulations and includes the aspects that are most important to your business. What you can alter and adjust with a partnership agreement depends on the laws in each state.

What to include?

1. Type of partnership – No matter what form of partnership you have — general partnership, limited partnership (LP), or limited liability partnership (LLP) — having a partnership agreement is essential. A limited liability limited partnership (LLLP) is a type of partnership that exists in a few states (LLLP).
2. Business name and address – Include the legal name of your partnership, any false business names you’re using, and your business address. If your company has many sites, make a list of them all and figure out where the headquarters is.
3. Partnership purpose and start date – Give a brief description of your company’s primary product or service. You may keep this part quite generic because it will allow you to pivot and offer new products and services as your company expands.
4. Partner information and contribution – Remember to include the names and addresses of each partner in your agreement. You should also list each partner’s capital contributions, as well as the nature and value of those contributions.
5. Management and control – This is, without a doubt, the most crucial portion of your partnership agreement. You’ll put out each partner’s ownership stake in the company as well as their profit shares in this section. These could be equal, but they don’t have to be.
6. Meetings and voting rights – Corporations are required by most state statutes to hold regular board of directors and shareholder meetings. Setting up a meeting calendar isn’t needed for partnerships, but it can assist keep business things in order. We recommend setting up a monthly or quarterly meeting schedule and detailing the issues that will be discussed at each meeting, as well as what constitutes a quorum and each partner’s voting rights.
7. Partner liabilities – A general partnership’s distinguishing feature is that participants share unlimited personal liability for the business’s debts and liabilities. In most states, this means that anyone who has a legal claim against the partnership can sue any or all of the general partners. Later, the general partners can work out who is responsible for what losses, as specified in the partnership agreement. Profits and losses are usually allocated in the same proportion.
8. New partners and exits – Every firm evolves, and new partners may seek to join the company while old partners go. Both scenarios should be addressed in the partnership agreement. An individual can become a partner by putting funds in the company or purchasing an existing partner’s ownership interest. A 75% vote of the incumbent partners is usually required for the admission of a new partner. You’ll have to select whether a minimum contribution is required to become a partner, as well as the partner’s profit and loss sharing and distribution rights.
9. Partner compensation – In exchange for their involvement in the company, partners get compensated. They are not paid a salary like corporate employees, but instead, get a payout or a profit share from the corporation. Guaranteed payments, which are regular payments made to partners regardless of the business’s performance, can also be included in partnership agreements.
10. Non-disclosure and non-compete clauses – Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or non-compete clauses in partnership agreements should be considered by small business owners. NDAs forbid partners from releasing secret partnership information. Non-compete agreements must be acceptable in terms of length and scope, but they must prevent a partner from forming or soliciting partners for a competitive business.
11. Revisions and choice of law – A partnership agreement must withstand the test of time, but a company undergoes several adjustments. As a result, business partners should allow for revisions to the agreement as needed. In most circumstances, a majority of the three-quarters vote is required to amend the agreement. You should also mention which state’s laws will apply if the partnership agreement is challenged in court.

FAQs

If you want to see more samples and formats, check out some startup business partnership agreement samples and templates provided in the article for your reference.