An enterprise prospect wants to talk product roadmap details before signing the order form. They send their NDA. Your lawyer wants to review. It's two weeks before you can have the conversation.
A maintained mutual NDA closes same-day. Use it.
Build a maintained template
Have a lawyer build your mutual NDA template once. Standard clauses: definition of confidential information, permitted use, exceptions (publicly known, independently developed), duration (typically 2-3 years), no obligation to deal, governing law. Convert from Word once and reuse for every counterparty.
Customise specifically
Customise only: party names, addresses, effective date. Don't customise the substance — that re-opens negotiation. If the counterparty insists on changes, push back to use your template or sign theirs (depending on which is more favourable). Don't endlessly hybridise.
Send for signature
Use sign PDF to drop signature fields for both parties. The audit trail is your evidence of execution. Same-day closure is normal — most NDAs come back signed within hours.
Store and track
Save the signed NDA in the counterparty's folder. Maintain an NDA log so you know who's signed what and when. For startups doing many partnership conversations, the log prevents accidentally sharing confidential information with someone who hasn't signed yet.
FAQ
Do I need an NDA before sharing the deck?
Most VCs won't sign NDAs to see a deck. For corporate development discussions, partnership talks, and certain enterprise sales, NDAs are standard.
How long should a mutual NDA last?
2-3 years for the duration; sometimes 5+ for trade secrets. Indefinite NDAs are increasingly rare in the US though common in some industries.
Should the NDA be one-way or mutual?
Mutual if both sides will share information; one-way if only one side. For commercial discussions, mutual is more common.
Can NDAs be e-signed?
Yes — NDAs are simple contracts and electronic signing is universally valid. Same-day execution is the norm.
A maintained NDA template closes deals same-day. Send via Flint and the conversation starts this week, not next.