If you sign a non-compete clause in the context of employment, even at will employment, the continued employment can serve as consideration for the clause. It's

If you sign a non-compete clause in the context of employment, even at will employment, the continued employment can serve as consideration for the clause. It's not without consideration. If you sign a non-compete clause outside the context of employment, and there is no consideration for it, i.e. no continued employment or any other consideration, it's without consideration. Good luck with the novel legal theories in court, but I don't think courts are too fond of equivocation.