This confidentiality agreement template may be used by a start-up company or other small business in any situation in which it intends to disclose confidential business information to a third party. The agreement ensures that the other party will not disclose or misuse the start-up’s confidential information. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, alternate clauses, and optional clauses. A start-up may disclose confidential information for a variety of reasons, including to obtain financing from a venture capital or private equity firm, to evaluate a possible transaction or association with another company, or to engage a third-party contractor to perform technical work that will require access to confidential information. This template contemplates disclosure of information by only one party (instead of a joint venture situation where both companies would be disclosing). It reflects the perspective of the disclosing party, and includes the essential provisions ...