General partnership agreement: Sample template

While most startups in Toronto and beyond choose to incorporate, some innovative companies do create legal partnerships. Partnerships are a legal agreement between two or more parties. The contract will usually define the terms of the partnership and how the profit-sharing will work. A partnership is not a separate legal entity from its owners.

Two types of partnership exist in Ontario:

  • General partnerships―each partner shares the management and remains personally and legally liable for the company’s debts
  • Limited partnerships―some (“general”) partners manage the company and other (“limited”) partners contribute only financially. In this type of partnership, the extent of liability and profit-sharing varies and will have been defined contractually from the start (see a sample template of a limited partnership agreement)

Downloadable general partnership agreement sample template

As an innovation hub, MaRS has created a sample template of a general partnership agreement to help streamline business processes for investors, entrepreneurs and their respective legal advisors. While MaRS makes this document available for educational purposes and to facilitate the negotiation of terms between investors and startups looking at business growth, the template is yours to use at your own risk. Please see the disclaimer below.

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Disclaimer

This sample legal document has been made available by MaRS Discovery District in Toronto for informational purposes only and does not constitute advertising, a solicitation, or legal advice. Neither the transmission of this sample legal document nor the transmission of any information contained in this website is intended to create, and receipt hereof or thereof does not constitute formation of, a lawyer-client relationship. Internet subscribers and online readers should not rely upon this sample legal document or the information contained in this website for any purpose without seeking legal advice from a qualified lawyer practicing in the reader’s province.

The information contained in this website is provided only as general information and may or may not reflect the most current legal developments; accordingly, information on this website is not promised or guaranteed to be correct or complete. MaRS Discovery District expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this website.