Advisor Agreement: What to Include (Clause-by-Clause)

Advisor agreements are often signed quickly and reviewed too late. A clear template protects both sides and avoids awkward renegotiations.

Core clauses to include

• Scope of services and expected time commitment
• Compensation (cash, equity, or mixed)
• Vesting schedule and cliffs for equity grants
• IP assignment and confidentiality
• Conflicts of interest and non-solicit terms
• Termination rights and post-termination obligations

Equity-specific details founders miss

Document grant type, strike/nominal assumptions, vesting start date, and treatment on termination. Keep these aligned with your cap table records.

Signature workflow best practice

1. Start from a reviewed template
2. Use required fields for names, dates, and schedules
3. Collect signatures with reminders and deadlines
4. Store signed agreement plus audit trail in the same folder

When to update the agreement

Update when role scope changes materially, compensation changes, or the advisor joins as employee/consultant under a new legal structure.