An advisory board is a body that advises the board of directors

Board of directors

A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...

 and management of a corporation but does not have authority to vote on corporate matters, nor a legal fiduciary responsibility. Many new or small businesses choose to have advisory boards in order to benefit from the knowledge of others, but to not encumber them with the rigors of a more formal board of directors.

Types of advisory boards

• business advisory boards
• editorial advisory boards
• technical advisory boards
• scientific advisory boards