Writing a Letter of Intent for Starting a Business
What is a Letter of Intent?
A letter of intent (LOI) is a document that outlines an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalized. The LOI is a useful tool for both parties as it serves as a starting point for negotiations and outlines the main points of the agreement. It is often used when negotiating the purchase of a business or when one party is interested in investing in another.
What Should be Included in a Letter of Intent?
When writing a letter of intent, it is important to include the following information:
- The names of both parties involved in the agreement
- A brief description of the business or venture in question
- The proposed terms of the agreement (i.e. the sale price, financing, etc.)
- The timeline for completing the agreement
- The signature of both parties
Tips for Writing a Letter of Intent
When writing a letter of intent, it is important to remember the following tips:
- Be clear and concise: Keep the language simple and avoid legal jargon. Make sure that both parties understand the agreement and their responsibilities.
- Be specific: Be sure to include all relevant details in the LOI, such as the sale price, timeline, and any contingencies.
- Be professional: Make sure that the LOI is written in a professional tone and follows standard business letter formatting.
- Be flexible: Remember that the LOI is not a binding contract and both parties should be open to negotiation.
Example of a Letter of Intent to Start a Business
Below is a sample letter of intent to start a business:
Dear [Name],
This letter serves as a formal letter of intent between [Name] and [Name] for the purpose of establishing a business venture. We propose to create [description of business], with the following terms:
- The initial investment of [amount] by [Name]
- The sale price of [amount] to be paid to [Name] when the business is sold
- The timeline for completing the transaction is [date]
If both parties agree to these terms, we will move forward with negotiations and sign a binding contract. We look forward to doing business together.
Sincerely,
[Name]