In the world of business deals and investment negotiations, clarity is everything. A term sheet is the first step in formalizing an agreement—it outlines the key terms and conditions before lawyers draft the final contract. Whether you’re a startup founder, angel investor, or small business owner, having a clear, professional term sheet keeps everyone aligned.
That’s why we’ve created a collection of 42+ free simple term sheet templates in Word format. These templates are perfect for business funding, joint ventures, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships—giving you a head start in negotiations without needing to draft documents from scratch.
✔️ What Is a Term Sheet?
A term sheet is a non-binding document that summarizes the fundamental terms of a proposed agreement. It’s commonly used in:
- Startup fundraising (pre-seed, seed, Series A, etc.)
- Business loans or lines of credit
- Private equity or venture capital deals
- Mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures
- Licensing or distribution agreements
While not legally binding, a term sheet sets the foundation for formal contracts and reflects each party’s intent to proceed under agreed terms.
✔️ When Should You Use a Term Sheet?
Use a term sheet when:
- Initiating investment negotiations
- Aligning on deal structure before legal drafting
- Discussing ownership percentages, valuations, or repayment terms
- Preventing misunderstandings before due diligence
- Agreeing on high-level terms of business partnerships
It’s an essential tool for ensuring transparency early in the deal-making process.
✔️ Why These 42+ Templates Are Ideal for You
✅ Editable in Microsoft Word – Easy to adapt for any deal
✅ Clean and professional layout – Impress investors or partners
✅ Covers essential deal terms – Valuation, equity, rights, timelines
✅ Templates for founders, investors, and advisors
✅ Non-binding legal structure – Use before drafting official contracts
✅ 100% free and ready to use
These templates let you negotiate with confidence—and clarity—before bringing in legal teams.
✔️ What’s Inside the Template Collection?
Our term sheet template pack includes a wide range of formats to suit different deal types:
📄 Startup & Investment Term Sheets
- Seed funding and angel investment templates
- Convertible note and SAFE agreement outlines
- Equity distribution and valuation clauses
- Investor rights, board seats, and exit terms
🏦 Lending & Financing Term Sheets
- Business loan or line of credit structures
- Term sheets for real estate or equipment financing
- Templates with interest rates, repayment schedules, and collateral terms
🤝 Partnership & Joint Venture Term Sheets
- Collaboration and partnership deal terms
- Templates for shared ownership, decision-making rights, and responsibilities
- Profit-sharing and operational frameworks
📑 Miscellaneous Business Agreements
- Licensing and royalty term sheets
- Acquisition or merger deal outlines
- Franchise or distribution agreement starters
Each file is designed for clarity and ease of use—making it simple to customize the deal to fit your goals.
✔️ How to Use a Term Sheet Template
- Download the Word file that fits your business situation
- Insert your company details and parties involved
- Customize key terms – ownership, funding, valuation, rights, etc.
- Specify conditions for due diligence, timelines, and signatures
- Review with all parties involved
- Sign the term sheet (if necessary) to document mutual understanding
- Move forward with legal contracts based on the agreed terms
The term sheet guides the negotiation and keeps both sides aligned from the start.
✔️ Tips for Customizing Your Term Sheet
☑️ Use clear, concise language—avoid legal jargon where possible
☑️ Add valuation caps or discount rates in funding templates
☑️ Define what’s binding (e.g., confidentiality) and what’s not
☑️ Include timelines for signing and next steps
☑️ Tailor the structure to your industry or jurisdiction
☑️ Avoid over-complication—keep it readable and actionable
Remember: a term sheet isn’t the final contract—it’s a roadmap to getting there.
✔️ Who Should Use These Templates?
These templates are ideal for:
☑️ Startup founders raising capital
☑️ Investors proposing funding terms
☑️ Advisors preparing deal summaries
☑️ Lenders offering commercial financing
☑️ Companies entering new partnerships
☑️ M&A consultants or deal negotiators
Whether you’re securing $10,000 or $10 million, these term sheets help you start the conversation with confidence.
➡️ Download and Start Your Negotiations the Right Way
Negotiating a deal is hard enough—don’t let paperwork slow you down. With these editable, professional templates, you can focus on the terms that matter and move toward closing faster.
👉 Download 42+ Free Simple Term Sheet Templates (Word) now.
Build agreements. Clarify expectations. Start smarter.
Because great deals start with clear terms—and clear documents.
