But most investors agree : they do not want to sign an NDA. While non-disclosure agreements are designed to protect your ideas, asking potential investors to sign an NDA is generally seen as unnecessary and unwise. As professional integrity is important to VCs, requiring an NDA is generally seen as a violation of business etiquette. MORE >>

Every day I see entrepreneurs trying to find that right balance between keeping their intellectual property confidential while sharing and promoting their business model with partners - especially investors - whose interest they so very much need to pique. Supply and demand. And then come back and tell me that mystique doesn’t matter. read more. MORE >>

Entrepreneurs often get the advice from their lawyers and friends to always get a Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA or CDA) signed before disclosing anything about their new venture. The format of an NDA is simple, and you can download a sample from my website. Asking for an NDA is an insult and will jeopardize your case before you start. MORE >>

The cult of the NDA. One startup even printed its NDA on the back of visitors badges, just like a software "shrink wrap" agreement: "By accepting this visitors badge, you agree to the terms of this Non-Disclosure Agreement." Good venture capitalists understand this, and many will refuse to sign an NDA before looking at a business plan. MORE >>

1) Length of NDA: 0 pages. Here’s what I’d do in the beginning: Incorporation. 1) Entity Choice: Corporation or Corporation. 2) State of Incorporation: Delaware. 3) Authorized Shares in Charter: 10,000,000 Shares. 4) Type of Shares: Common Stock. 5) Par Value of Common: $0.0001. 6) Initial Founders Issuance: 8,000,000 Shares. MORE >>