Advisor agreement template (FAST, equity benchmarks 2026)
FAST-based advisor agreement template with equity benchmarks (0.21% pre-seed, 0.12% seed), vesting schedule, scope, and IP assignment. Copy, fill, sign.
advisor-agreement-template-fast.txt
ADVISOR AGREEMENT
This Advisor Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of {{EFFECTIVE_DATE}} between {{COMPANY_NAME}}, a {{COMPANY_STATE}} corporation (the "Company"), and {{ADVISOR_NAME}} (the "Advisor").
1. SERVICES
The Advisor will provide the following services to the Company (the "Services"):
{{SCOPE_OF_SERVICES}}
Expected time commitment: approximately {{TIME_COMMITMENT_HOURS}} hours per month.
2. TERM
This Agreement begins on the Effective Date and continues for {{TERM_MONTHS}} months unless terminated earlier by either party with 30 days' written notice.
3. COMPENSATION
Subject to board approval, the Company will issue the Advisor a stock option to purchase shares equal to {{EQUITY_PERCENTAGE}}% of the Company's fully diluted capitalization as of the Effective Date. The strike price will equal the fair market value on the date of board approval.
4. VESTING
The option shall vest in equal monthly installments over {{VESTING_MONTHS}} months from the Effective Date, with no cliff. If the Company is acquired, 100% of unvested shares shall accelerate. If the Company terminates this Agreement without cause, vesting continues for 90 days after termination.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY
The Advisor agrees to keep all non-public information of the Company confidential and to use such information solely to provide the Services. This obligation survives termination for three years.
6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Any work product, inventions, or intellectual property created by the Advisor in providing the Services is the sole property of the Company. The Advisor hereby assigns all such rights to the Company.
7. NO CONFLICT
The Advisor represents that providing the Services does not breach any agreement with a third party. The Advisor may continue to advise other companies, provided no direct competitor of the Company is advised.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of {{GOVERNING_STATE}}, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions.
SIGNED:
{{COMPANY_NAME}}: ______________________ Date: __________
{{ADVISOR_NAME}}: ______________________ Date: __________
Variables · fill before sending
- ADVISOR_NAMEAdvisor's full legal name as it should appear on the cap table
- COMPANY_NAMECompany's legal name, e.g., Causo Inc.
- COMPANY_STATEState of incorporation, typically Delaware for US C-corps
- EFFECTIVE_DATEStart date of the agreement, in long form, e.g., June 21, 2026
- SCOPE_OF_SERVICESSpecific monthly deliverables, e.g., 'two intros to enterprise buyers per quarter, monthly 60-minute strategy call, on-call by email within 48 hours'
- TIME_COMMITMENT_HOURSExpected hours per month, typically 2 to 6
- TERM_MONTHSLength of the relationship before renewal, typically 24
- EQUITY_PERCENTAGEGrant size as percentage of fully diluted shares, e.g., 0.25
- VESTING_MONTHSVesting period in months, typically 24 for advisors
- GOVERNING_STATEState whose law governs the agreement, usually same as COMPANY_STATE
How to use it
- Confirm option pool capacity first. Advisor grants come from the option pool, not founder shares. If the pool is dry, refresh before granting.
- Set strike at the most recent 409A. Granting below fair market value creates a tax mess for the advisor and a securities issue for the company.
- Get board approval in writing. Sign written board consent before the agreement is countersigned. Diligence reviewers check for this.
- Sign agreement and grant notice together. The agreement covers scope and vesting; the grant notice fixes the share count and strike price.
- File the 83(b) election within 30 days if the grant is structured as a Restricted Stock Agreement (RSA) rather than an option.
- Cap the grant at 1%. Anything more needs a written justification the next investor will see in diligence.