Terms and Conditions of Participation to the Eurostart Venture Awards by BLCC
The following terms and conditions apply to all Participants of the Eurostart Venture Awards (the "Competition"), organized by the Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain (the "Organiser"). By submitting the Application Form to the Competition, either directly or via any of our Partner, the Participant(s) agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions below.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Definitions:
- The Participants: Refers to individuals or teams who submit an application to participate in the Eurostart Venture Awards competition organized by the Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain (BLCC) either directly or via third party. This may include any Partners or Affiliates involved in the selection of Start-ups for the EVA.
- The Winners: The individuals or teams selected by the panel of judges as entitled to receive a cash prize from the Eurostart Venture Awards competition.
- The EVA Score: The score used by the judges to rank the Participants during the competition. The EVA Score is the key determinant in the selection of Winners. It is derived from the Weighted Average of a range of criteria that include: Innovation, Market Potential, Feasibility, Scalability, Sustainability, Team strength, Financial Viability.
- The Affiliates: Entities or organizations that are connected to or associated with the Organiser, including but not limited to sponsors, partners, or any other entities working in collaboration with the Belgian Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain (BLCC).
- Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the Competition, the Winner(s)must meet the following criteria:
The Participant(s) must be a current or ex-alumni of the Universities involved in the Competition.
The Participant(s) must be at least 18 years old at the time of entry.
The Participant(s) must not be an employee, agent or representative of the Organiser or any of its Affiliates, Sponsors or Partners.
The Participant(s)must not have any conflict of interest with the Organiser or the Competition's sponsors.
If the Participant(s) do not meet these criteria, the Participant(s)are not eligible to participate, and their entry will be disqualified. The Organiser reserves the right to verify the Participant(s) eligibility at any stage of the Competition and may request proof of identity, age and affiliation.
- Application
The Participants must submit their application online through the Competition website by the deadline specified by the Organiser or by one of our Partner(s) within the deadline specified on their channels of communication. The application must include a brief description of the start-up idea or project, a pitch deck, a video presentation, a resume or CV for each of the team members and any other information or documents requested by the Organiser. The application must be original, truthful and complete. Each team can be represented by a maximum of 2 members. The application must not contain any unlawful, offensive, defamatory, plagiarized or infringing content. The Organiser reserves the right to reject any application that does not comply with these terms and conditions or that is deemed inappropriate or unsuitable for the Competition.
- Selection
The Organiser will select three finalists from the applications received by each University based on their viability, innovation, market potential, team strength, and pitches. The Participants will be notified by email and invited to present their start-up idea or project in front of a panel of judges at a live event organized by the Organiser. The judges will select one winner and two runners-up from the Participants based on their EVA scores. The judges' decision is final and binding, the Participants accept the judges’ decision, and no appeals against the final decision shall be allowed. The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates the competition rules or who engages in any conduct that the Organiser, in its sole discretion, determines to be inappropriate or unsuitable for the competition. The Organiser also reserves the right to modify the competition rules or procedures at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting on the competition website or by other means of communication deemed appropriate by the Organiser. Any such modifications shall be binding on all Participants.
- Prizes
The Winner will receive a cash prize (the “Award”) of £5,000 and, if applicable, a mentorship program from the Organiser or one of the Partners or Affiliates. The runners-up will receive a cash prize ranging from £1,000 to £1,500 each and a mentorship program from the Organiser. The prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable and can only be used to support the start-up’s activity.
- Payment of the Award
The Organiser shall pay the award to the Winner(s) by bank transfer or any other method of payment deemed suitable by the Organiser.
The Award amount shall be as stated in the competition rules.
The winner(s) shall be responsible for all taxes, duties, and other charges that may be imposed on the award by any governmental or regulatory authority.
The Organiser shall not be responsible for any fees, charges, or other expenses incurred by the winner(s) in connection with the receipt or use of the award.
The Organiser will require the winner(s) to provide proof of identity, age, and other information as may be necessary to process the payment of the award.
The Organiser may withhold payment of the award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the winner(s) have breached these Terms and Conditions or any other applicable laws, regulations, or rules.
The winner(s) hereby agree to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organiser and its affiliates, sponsors, partners, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, expenses, and losses arising from or related to their receipt or use of the award or any breach of these Terms and Conditions.
- Use of Award
The Winner will not transfer the Award to any third party unless written consent has first been obtained from The Organiser.
The Award is intended to support the development of innovative business ideas, products, or services, and must be used for such purposes only. The Award recipient may be required to return all or part of the award funds if it is determined that the funds were not used for their intended purpose or if there are any other breaches of the Terms of Use.
The Award funds must not be used for any illegal, unethical, or immoral purposes.
The Award recipient agrees to provide periodic updates and progress reports to the Organiser regarding the use of the award funds and the development of their business idea, product, or service.
The Award recipient must comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards in the development and commercialization of their business idea, product, or service.
The Award recipient must acknowledge the support of the Eurostart Venture Awards and the Organiser in any publications, marketing materials, or other public-facing communications related to their business idea, product, or service.
The Award recipient agrees to participate in promotional and marketing activities related to the Eurostart Venture Awards and the Organiser, such as media interviews, photo shoots, or public events.
The Organiser reserves the right to revoke the Award if the recipient fails to comply with the Terms of Use or if there are any concerns related to the recipient's conduct or use of the award funds.
This Award is intended to be used within the timescale specified in your application or as detailed by the Organiser in the Offer Letter. If the Winner(s)wish to make any changes to this timescale, the Winner must first obtain the Organiser’s consent in written form. The Winner must also notify the Organiser immediately in writing if the agreed timescale is no longer achievable and, in such circumstance, the Organiser reserve the right to suspend, withhold, or immediately request repayment of the Award.
Title and risk to any capital equipment purchased using the Award will belong to the Winner. However, the Winner(s) are not permitted to sell or otherwise dispose of any such capital equipment within one year from the end of the Award without the Organiser prior written consent.
If the Winner(s)sell or otherwise dispose of any such capital equipment within one year from the end of the Award without the Organiser prior written consent, the Winner(s)shall repay to the Organiser the proceeds of sale of such capital equipment.
- Reporting
The Organiser reserves the right to require the Winner(s) to submit progress reports on your use of the Award and the frequency of such reports. The Winner(s) are required to ensure these reports are submitted at the agreed times.
If the Winner(s)do not comply with such reporting requirements further payment of your Award may be suspended or withheld until such time as the Organiser are satisfied that the Award is being used appropriately and that these Terms are being complied with.
In addition, the Winner(s) are required to submit a final report around 12 months after the EVA event date, detailing the impact of the Award and how it was spent, together with evidence of expenditure in the form of receipts and invoices. Further details can be requested by getting in touch with the Organiser.
Non compliance with this provision may result in the Organiser seeking to recover the payment of the Award from the Winner.
- Publicity and Promotion
By accepting the Award, the Participant(s) agrees that the Organiser may use details of the Participant(s), the Award and/or the purpose for which it was given in any of our publicity or promotional activities.
The Winner(s) agrees to provide the Organiser free of charge with a sample of any work produced as a result of the Award or with photographic or other records of this where samples are not available.
The Winner(s) are required to acknowledge the Organiser, the University through which they applied and the Award in any of the publicity or promotional activity, however, the Winner(s)must first obtain our consent in writing before such activity is undertaken. This also applies to any papers, textbooks, catalogues, website and other similar materials written and submitted by the Winner(s)for publication.
The Winner(s) must not do anything (or omit to do anything) which would or may reasonably be expected to compromise the reputation and interests of the University through which they have applied or the Organiser.
- Withholding Payment and Repayment of the Award
The Organiser reserves the right to change the event location, date and time at any time without prior notice or liability to you ,if during the 12 months from the date of the Offer Letter, the Winner(s):
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- withdraw from the business or activity for which the Award was obtained; or
- do not use the whole or any part of the Award; or
- use the Award for any other purpose than those specified in your application or as stated in the Offer Letter without first obtaining our consent; or
- fail to make use of the Award in the timescales agreed; or
- in any other way breach any of these Terms or the Offer Letter.
The Organiser reserves the right to suspend or withhold any unpaid instalments of the Award, and/or place further conditions on the Winner(s) in order to secure the release of further instalments of the Award.
The Organiser may seek to recover from the Winner(s) any monies already paid under the Award if at any time, the Organiser discover that:
- the Organiser have made, in error, any payment to the Winner(s);
- the Winner(s) fail to meet the reporting obligations outlined in the Offer Letter;
- the Winner(s) have materially breached any provisions of the Terms or the Offer Letter; or
- the Winner(s)’ application (including any progress or final reports) was fraudulent or contained information that was incorrect or misleading
Any sums which the Organiser seek to recover from the Winner(s) pursuant to the provisions included in this Term and Condition will be recoverable from the Winner(s) as a debt.
- Travel
The Organiser shall not be responsible for any travel arrangements, expenses, or accommodations incurred by Participants in connection with their participation in the competition, unless previously stated otherwise in the Offer Letter, and written approval provided by the Organiser.
Participants are solely responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation, lodging, meals, and other related expenses incurred in connection with their participation in the competition.
Participants must obtain and maintain all necessary travel documents, visas, and other permissions required to travel to the final EVA event, at their own expense, responsibility and risk.
The Organiser shall not be liable nor responsible, directly or indirectly, for any losses, damages, injuries, or delays that may be incurred by Participants during their travel to or from the final EVA event, including any travel disruptions or cancellations caused by the weather, strikes, or other events beyond the control of the Organiser.
Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase adequate travel insurance to cover any losses, damages, injuries, or delays that may occur during their travel to or from the final EVA event.
Participants agree to release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organiser and its affiliates, sponsors, partners, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, expenses, and losses arising from or related to their travel to or from the final EVA event or their participation in any related activities.
- Intellectual Property
Participants represent and warrant that they are the sole owners of all Intellectual Property (IP) associated with their application, including any patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights.
Participants grant to the Organiser a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, distribute, display, and perform the Participants' IP solely for the purpose of conducting, promoting, and advertising the competition, including any associated events or activities.
Participants retain ownership of their IP and may use their IP for any purpose outside of the competition, provided that they do not infringe on any of the Organiser’s rights under these Terms and Conditions.
Participants agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organiser and its affiliates, sponsors, partners, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, expenses, and losses arising from or related to any breach of the Participants' IP representations and warranties, or any claim of infringement of third-party IP rights.
Participants agree to notify the Organiser immediately in writing of any actual or potential infringement or misappropriation of their IP by any third party that comes to their attention, and to cooperate with the Organiser in any legal action or proceeding relating to such infringement or misappropriation.
The Organiser shall not be liable for any use or disclosure of Participants' IP that is made in accordance with these Terms and Conditions or with the Participants' consent.
The Participants also agree to acknowledge and credit the Organiser as the source of their start up idea or project whenever they use it for any other purpose.
- Confidentiality
The Participants agree to keep confidential any information or materials provided by the Organiser, the University or any of its affiliates, sponsors or partners in relation to the Competition. Participants acknowledge that the competition may involve the exchange of confidential information, such as business plans, financial projections, or trade secrets, between Participants and the Organiser or its affiliates.
Participants agree to treat all confidential information disclosed during the competition as strictly confidential and not to disclose such information to any third party, except as required by law.
Participants agree not to use any confidential information disclosed during the competition for any purpose other than the development and presentation of their own business idea, product, or service.
Participants agree to take all reasonable measures to prevent unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information, including safeguarding any physical or electronic copies of such information.
The Organiser agrees to treat all participant information, including business plans and financial information, as confidential and to only use such information for the purpose of evaluating and judging the competition.
The Organiser may disclose participant information to its affiliates, sponsors, or partners for the purpose of promoting or supporting the Eurostart Venture Awards, provided that such parties agree to keep such information confidential and not to disclose it to any third party.
The Organiser may use anonymized or aggregate data or information obtained during the competition for statistical, research, or other analytical purposes, provided that such data or information does not identify any specific participant or disclose any confidential information.
The confidentiality terms shall survive the termination or expiration of the competition and shall continue to be binding on the parties.
- Liability
The Participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Organiser and any of its affiliates, sponsors or partners from any claims, damages, losses or liabilities arising from their participation in the Competition or their breach of these terms and conditions. The Organiser and any of its affiliates, sponsors or partners are not liable for any technical failures, errors, delays or interruptions that may affect the Competition or its website. The Organiser and any of its affiliates, sponsors or partners are not liable for any personal injury, property damage or other harm that may result from the participation in the Competition or the acceptance or use of the prizes.
- Disputes and Jurisdictions
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from, or, related to these Terms and Conditions, or to the Competition, will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
- Modification
The Organiser reserves the right to modify or amend these Terms and Conditions, the competition rules, or any other aspect of the competition at any time and for any reason, with or without notice to Participants.
Participants agree to regularly review these Terms and Conditions and the competition rules for any updates or changes and to be bound by the most current version of the Terms and Conditions and the competition rules.
The Organiser may modify or amend these Terms and Conditions or the competition rules at any time during the competition, with or without notice to Participants, provided that any modifications or amendments shall not materially affect the rights or obligations of Participants without their consent.
Participants may request clarification or seek approval for any modifications or amendments that they wish to make to their application or their participation in the competition, and such requests shall be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Organiser in its sole discretion.
Any modifications or amendments to these Terms and Conditions or the competition rules shall be effective immediately upon posting on the competition website or other communication channels designated by the Organiser.
- General
The Offer Letter is only valid for the EVA date specified in the Offer Letter and cannot be transferred to any other competition or event.
The Organiser reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition at any time, and will not be liable for any losses or damages resulting from such actions.
The Organiser will not be responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings of Participants during the competition or final event.
The Organiser may disqualify any participant who violates the Terms and Conditions, engages in unethical or inappropriate behaviour, or fails to comply with any other rules or regulations set forth by the Organiser.
- Contact
If the Winner(s) have any questions or comments about these Terms and Conditions or the Competition, please contact us at idannatt@blcc.co.uk.
