Letter of Intent for Asset Purchase Agreement - Free Downloadable Template

Lawyers within our network have agreed to share some of the documents they regularly use in the course of their practice along with annotations explaining different provisions and outlining decisions you might need to make. You can contact our lawyers and download a copy of this document.

This free template Letter of Intent for an Asset Purchase Agreement is a non-binding document outlining the general terms and price by which a buyer proposes to purchase the assets of a particular business. If signed by the seller, it indicates that both parties intend to move forward in completing the transaction. It is often used in the context of an M&A transaction. You can learn more about the differences between asset purchaes and stock purchases here.

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[BUYER’S BUSINESS LETTERHEAD]

[SELLER’S BUSINESS NAME]

[SELLER’S BUSNESS ADDRESS]

Re: Proposal to Purchase the Assets of the [SELLER’S BUSINESS NAME, SUBSIDIARY OR SEGMENT, AS APPLICABLE]

This letter (this “Letter”) is intended to summarize the principal terms of a proposal being considered by [BUYER], a [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE] (“Buyer”), regarding its possible acquisition of substantially all of the assets, and assumption of certain specified liabilities, of the business (the “Business”) of [SELELR], a [STATE] [ENTITY TYPE] (“Seller”). The possible acquisition of the Business is referred to as the “Transaction” and Buyer and Seller are sometimes hereinafter referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”

1. Acquisition of Assets and Purchase Price .

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions described in this Letter, at the closing of the Transaction (the “Closing”) [Buyer would acquire substantially all of the assets (the “Acquired Assets”) of the Business, free and clear of all encumbrances, and Buyer would assume only specified liabilities (the “Assumed Liabilities”) at the purchase price set forth in Section 1(b). The Acquired Assets shall not include cash and cash equivalents of Seller, including checking accounts, bank accounts, certificates of deposit, time deposits, mutual funds, or accounts receivable of Seller, except as provided below with respect to working capital (the “Excluded Assets”). All other liabilities associated with the Business would be retained by Seller (the “Excluded Liabilities”).]

(b) The purchase price for the Assets would be up to $[TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT OF PURCHASE PRICE] and subject to adjustment as provided below and in any definitive agreement, payable as follows (the “Purchase Price”):

(i) $[DOLLAR AMOUNT] at the Closing, subject to the Working Capital Adjustment (defined below); and

(ii) $[DOLLAR AMOUNT] to be deposited with a mutually agreeable escrow agent, to be held for a period of [NUMBER OF DAYS/WEEKS/MONTHS] after the Closing, in order to secure the performance of Seller’s post-closing obligations under the definitive purchase agreement.

(c) Buyer has calculated the Purchase Price on the basis of [present information] and on the following additional assumptions:

(i) The working capital of the Business at the Closing, calculated in accordance with US GAAP , consistently applied (the “ Closing Date Working Capital ”) will be $[DOLLAR AMOUNT]. The portion of the Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased or decreased, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, based upon the Parties’ estimate at Closing of the Closing Date Working Capital, subject to a true-up following the Closing when final Closing Date Working Capital figures become available (the “ Working Capital Adjustment ”).

(ii) [SET OUT ANY OTHER ASSUMPTIONS]

1. Proposed Definitive Agreement . Promptly following the execution of this Letter, the Parties shall commence to negotiate a definitive purchase agreement (the “Definitive Agreement”) relating to Buyer's acquisition of the Acquired Assets, to be drafted by Buyer's counsel in customary form for transactions of this size and nature. The Definitive Agreement would include the terms summarized in this Letter and such other representations, warranties, conditions, covenants, indemnities and other terms that are customary for transactions of this kind and are not inconsistent with this Letter. The Parties shall also commence to negotiate ancillary agreements to be drafted by Buyer's counsel, including (a) an escrow agreement; (b) a bill of sale; and (c) an assignment and assumption agreement.
2. Conditions . The Parties’ respective obligations to close the proposed Transaction will be subject to customary conditions, including:

(a) Satisfactory completion of due diligence by Buyer;

(b) Buyer’s receipt of cash proceeds from the financing transactions contemplated by the commitment letters attached to this Letter in an amount necessary to finance the Transaction, pay related fees and expenses and provide adequate ongoing working capital and on the terms and conditions explicitly set for in such commitment letters and such other terms and conditions satisfactory to Buyer;

(c) the directors, officers, members and shareholders, as applicable, of Buyer and Seller approving the Transaction;

(d) the Parties’ execution of the Definitive Agreement and the ancillary agreements;

(e) the receipt of any regulatory approvals (none are expected based on present information) and third party consents (to be determined following review of Seller’s customer and vendor contracts), on terms satisfactory to Buyer;

(f) each of [NAME OF KEY EMPLOYEES] entering into employment agreements with Buyer on terms agreed with Buyer;

(g) Seller entering into restrictive covenants, in a form acceptable to Buyer, agreeing not to: (i) compete with the Business for ______(__) years following the Closing, (ii) hire or solicit any employee or contractor of the Business or encourage any such person to leave such relationship for _____(__) years following the Closing, and (iii) not to disparage Buyer, its principals or the Business indefinitely following the Closing; provided, however, that any consideration required to secure such agreement from Rong would be paid by Buyer; and

(h) there being no material adverse change in the business, results of operations, prospects, condition (financial or otherwise) or assets of the Business.

1. Due Diligence . From and after the date of this Letter, Seller will authorize its management to allow Buyer and its advisors full access to the facilities, records, key employees, customers, vendors and advisors of their businesses for the purpose of completing due diligence review. The due diligence investigation will include, but is not limited to, a complete review of the financial, legal, tax, intellectual property and labor records and agreements of the Business, and any other matters as the Parties respective accountants, tax and legal counsel, and other advisors deem relevant.
2. Employment Arrangements . Buyer would offer employment to substantially all of the employees of the Business and would expect the Seller’s management to use its reasonable best effort to assist Buyer to employ those individuals.
3. Covenants of Seller and Buyer . During the period from the signing of this Letter through the execution of the Definitive Agreement, Seller and Buyer will: (a) conduct their respective businesses in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with past practice, (b) maintain their respective properties and other assets in good working condition (normal wear and tear excepted), and (c) use their best efforts to maintain their respective businesses and employees, customers, assets and operations as an ongoing concern in accordance with past practice.
4. Exclusivity .

(a) In consideration of the expenses that Buyer has incurred and will incur in connection with the proposed Transaction, Seller agrees that until such time as this Letter has terminated in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 8 (such period, the “Exclusivity Period”), neither it nor any of its representatives, officers, employees, directors, agents, members, managers, subsidiaries or affiliates (the “Seller Group”) shall initiate, solicit, entertain, negotiate, accept or discuss, directly or indirectly, any proposal or offer from any person or group of persons other than Buyer and its affiliates (an “Acquisition Proposal”) to acquire all or any portion of the Business or its assets, whether by merger, purchase of stock, purchase of assets, tender offer or otherwise, or provide any non-public information to any third party in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Transaction with Buyer. Seller agrees to immediately notify Buyer if any member of the Seller Group receives any requests for information or offers in respect of an Acquisition Proposal, and will communicate to Buyer in reasonable detail the terms of any such request or offer, and will provide Buyer with copies of all written communications relating to any such request or offer. Immediately upon execution of this Letter, Seller shall, and shall cause the Seller Group to, terminate any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any person or group of persons other than Buyer and its affiliates regarding an Acquisition Proposal. Seller represents that no member of the Seller Group is party to or bound by any agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal other than under this Letter.

(b) [If within the Exclusivity Period, Seller does not execute definitive documentation for the Transaction reflecting the material terms and conditions for the Transaction set forth in this Letter or material terms and conditions substantially similar thereto (other than as a result of either the mutual agreement by Buyer and Seller to terminate this Letter or to change such material terms and conditions in any material respect or the unilateral refusal of Buyer to execute such definitive documentation), then Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel, accountants, and other advisors and whether incurred prior to or after the date hereof) incurred by Buyer in connection with the proposed Transaction, which amount shall be payable in same day funds on the day that is the first business day after the Exclusivity Period.]

1. Termination . This Letter will automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest of: (a) execution of the Definitive Agreement by Buyer and Seller, (b) mutual agreement of Buyer and Seller, or (c) __________ on _________________. Notwithstanding anything in the previous sentence, paragraphs 7 and 9-14 shall survive the termination of this Letter and the termination of this Letter shall not affect any rights any Party has with respect to the breach of this Letter by another Party prior to such termination.
2. Bid Expiration . This offer will remain in effect until ________ on _____________, unless accepted or rejected by Seller, or withdrawn by Buyer prior to that time.
3. GOVERNING LAW . THIS LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF [RELEVANT STATE], WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF [RELEVANT STATE] OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THOSE OF THE STATE OF [RELEVANT STATE].
4. Confidentiality . This Letter is confidential to the Parties and their representatives and is subject to the Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure Agreement entered into between Buyer and Seller on [DATE], which continues in full force and effect.
5. No Third Party Beneficiaries . Except as specifically set forth or referred to herein, nothing herein is intended or shall be construed to confer upon any person or entity other than the Parties and their successors or assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Letter.
6. Expenses . Except as set forth in Section 7(b), the Parties will each pay their own transaction expenses, including the fees and expenses of any investment bankers, attorneys, and other advisors, incurred in connection with the proposed Transaction.
7. No Binding Agreement . This Letter reflects the intention of the Parties, but for the avoidance of doubt neither this Letter nor its acceptance shall give rise to any legally binding or enforceable obligation on any Party, except with regard to paragraphs 7 through 13 hereof. No contract or agreement providing for any transaction involving the Business shall be deemed to exist between Seller and Buyer and any of its affiliates unless and until a final definitive agreement has been executed and delivered.
8. Miscellaneous . This Letter may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one agreement. The headings of the various sections of this Letter have been inserted for reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Letter.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

If you are in agreement with the terms set forth above and desire to continue with the proposed Transaction on that basis, please sign this Letter in the space provided below and return an executed copy to me.