Terms and Conditions; Official Rules

Updated 20 April 2022
SeedInvest Community Pitch Competition
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY, MAY 20, 2022 AT 11:59 P.M. EST

 

THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND OFFICIAL RULES (COLLECTIVELY "TERMS/RULES") GOVERN YOUR REGISTRATION, SUBMISSION AND/OR PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY PITCH COMPETITION (THE "COMPETITION"). BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE COMPETITION IN ANY CAPACITY, YOU ACCEPT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS/RULES AND REPRESENT THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL THE PROVISIONS HEREIN. YOU MUST NOT SUBMIT AN APPLICATION OR PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION IN ANY CAPACITY IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS/RULES. AS USED HEREIN, "YOU" AND "YOUR" MEANS THE INDIVIDUAL OR COMPANY REGISTERING FOR, SUBMITTING FOR, OR PARTICIPATING IN THE COMPETITION. THESE TERMS/RULES ARE BETWEEN YOU AND SI SECURITIES, LLC (“SeedInvest”), CIRCLE INTERNET FINANCIAL, LLC (“Circle”) (COLLECTIVELY “SPONSORS”), AND THEIR AFFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS.

  1. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION, OR TO WIN A PRIZE.
  2. ELIGIBILITY: Open to Companies that: (i) have at least one (1) historically underrepresented founder; (ii) is legally registered or incorporated in one of the 50 United States and/or D.C.; (iii) has a minimum viable product (“MVP”) in market; (iv) has legal representation; and, (v) has at least two (2) full-time employees, excluding founders.  For purposes of this Competition, an historically underrepresented founder is an individual who identifies as being: Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian or other Person of Color, LGBTQIA2S+, Women, or Disabled.

    At the time of the Competition Start Date, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at 12:00 am Eastern Standard Time (“EST”), all founders of the Company must be at least 18 years of age and older. Applicants must also be available for the Competition live stream on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm EST.

    Employees of Sponsors, and any of their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, representatives, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, advertising, public relations, promotional, fulfillment, and marketing agencies, and members of their immediate families (spouses, parents, siblings and children, regardless of where they live) and those living in the same household (whether or not related), are not eligible to enter the Competition or win a Prize.
  3. COMPLIANCE: The Competition is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.
  4. TIMING: Applications can be submitted from Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 12:00 a.m. EST – Friday, May 20, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Finalists will be notified via e-mail no later than Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 9:00 p.m. EST, and must respond to the email, in writing, within 72-hours of the initial direct message or the Finalists will forfeit the opportunity to continue in the Competition and will be disqualified. The Competition will stream live on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm EST at: https://circle.zoom.us/webinar/register/1116498818104/WN_owySe2K2QTeMPT-C6S41yA
  5. APPLICANTS: For purposes of this Competition, “Applicant” is defined as the individual or company submitting an Application. Applicant, at the time of submission, must have the authority to participate in the Event on behalf of the Company and legally bind the business to these Terms/Rules.
  6. HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: Applications for the Competition must be submitted online at https://www.seedinvest.com/pitch-competition-form. Applications must be in English.  As a part of the Application, Companies must also submit a slide deck via the upload section of the online Application.  The slide deck must include the following: Solution/Product OverviewTeam Slide (including Advisors); GTM & Client/User Acquisition Strategy; User/Client Growth + Key Metrics; P&L (Must Include Revenue); Previous Funding Rounds + Investors; Investment Ask + Use of Funds; Additional Points of Traction (IP, Awards, Media Mentions, etc.). Limit: one (1) Application per Company; (1) Application per Historically Underrepresented Founder; any attempt to submit more than the stated number of applications or attempt to submit using any other method, will void the Application and the Applicant may be disqualified from the Competition.

    SPONSOR EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY IN CONJUNCTION WITH REVIEWING OR MONITORING APPLICATIONS.
  7. PRIZE LEVELS; DESCRIPTION OF PRIZES: Prizes consist of only those items specifically listed as part of the prize. Prizes are non-transferable and no substitutions will be made except as provided herein at Sponsors’ sole and absolute discretion. If a Prize Winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor has the sole and absolute discretion to award the applicable prize to an alternate Applicant. Winners are responsible for all taxes and fees associated with Prize receipt and/or use. 
    • First Place:
      • $25,000 equity-free cash prize
      • Option to raise on SeedInvest with $10,000 in fees waived
      • Two complimentary tickets to Circle Converge
      • BONUS PRIZES†:
        • Braze 12-month Growth package ($36,000 value)*
        • Ramp card access with $500 bonus, 1.5% unlimited cashback, and save up to $175,000 instantly**
        • Customized EY Wavespace strategy session***
        • Nomination to EY Entrepreneurs Access Network***
        • Access to the EY Entrepreneurs Library***
    •  Second Place: 
      • $10,000 equity-free cash prize
      • Option to raise on SeedInvest with $10,000 in fees waived
      • BONUS PRIZES†
        • Braze 12-month Growth package ($36,000 value)*
        • Ramp card access with $500 bonus, 1.5% unlimited cashback, and save up to $175,000 instantly**
        • Nomination to EY Entrepreneurs Access Network***
        • Access to the EY Entrepreneurs Library***
    •   Third Place: 
      • $5,000 equity-free cash prize
      • Option to raise on SeedInvest with $10,000 in fees waived
      • BONUS PRIZES†
        • Braze 12-month Growth package ($36,000 value)*
        • Ramp card access with $500 bonus, 1.5% unlimited cashback, and save up to $175,000 instantly**
        • Access to the EY Entrepreneurs Library***

      Each Prize Package (i.e., First Place, Second Place, and Third Place) includes identified “Bonus Prizes” from our Prize Partners: Braze, EY and Ramp. Competition Prize Winners, once selected, may be eligible for the Bonus Prizes identified in each Prize Package, provided that the Prize Winners also meet the qualifications outlined by the applicable Prize Partner (the “Prize Partner Qualifications”).

      †Bonus Prizes are not guaranteed for Prize Winners; as such, while a Prize Winner may “win” First Place, for example, the Prize Winner may not meet the qualifications for the Bonus Prize. Prize Partner Qualifications are in addition to the Eligibility requirements for the Competition.

      *Braze: To qualify for a free 12-month Growth package ($36,000 value), businesses must have: 
      • Digital properties (e.g., app, website, etc.)
      • A dedicated engineering/developer resource to manage the onboarding process and integration 
      • A dedicated marketing resource who will oversee Braze campaigns.

      **Ramp: To qualify for Ramp access and a $500 bonus, businesses must:

      • Be registered in the United States
      • Be a corporation, limited liability company, or LP (nonprofits welcome); Ramp is not accepting individuals, sole proprietors, and other types of unregistered businesses
      • Have at least $75,000 in cash in a US business bank account
      • Have most of your operations and corporate spend in the US (although Ramp will waive all international transaction fees)
      • **Ramp is also a customer of Circle Internet Financial, LLC

      ***EY: To be accepted into EY Entrepreneurs Access Network, applicants must be: 

      • A Black or Latino CEO or founder of any privately held company in the US
      • Company must be more than two years old and 51% minority (Black/Latino) owned
      • Multiple co-founders may apply as a group, if 51% ownership criteria is met; Only for profit businesses may apply
      • Former EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award and Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ winners are eligible to utilize the resources available through the Entrepreneurs Resource Library
      • For entrepreneurs who have sought outside investment, the founding entrepreneur may still apply if majority ownership stake is retained after deducting all outside investments.
  8. JUDGING CRITERIA: Generally speaking, SeedInvest looks for companies that have an MVP or prototype, at least two full-time employees (excluding founders), and a compelling business model. SeedInvest generally works with companies that have raised at least a small round before and are now looking to raise at least $500,000. For the most part, SeedInvest does not accept very early stage “back of the napkin” ideas. SeedInvest finds that companies with a product in market – or a clear path – are more likely to run a successful raise.
  9. DISQUALIFICATION: SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT AT, THEIR SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION, AND AT ANY TIME AND FOR ANY REASON, TO DISQUALIFY ANY APPLICANT THAT IT FINDS TO BE ATTEMPTING TO TAMPER WITH OR UNDERMINE THE APPLICATION SUBMISSION PROCESS AND/OR THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE COMPETITION; TO VIOLATE THE TERMS/RULES; OR, TO ACT IN AN UNSPORTSMANLIKE OR DISRUPTIVE MANNER OR WITH THE INTENT TO ANNOY, ABUSE, THREATEN, OR HARASS ANY OTHER PERSON, COMPANY OR APPLICANT. PRIZE WINNERS WHO ARE DISQUALIFIED AGREE TO RETURN THE AWARDED PRIZE TO SPONSOR, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER REMEDIES THAT SPONSOR MAY SEEK TO ENFORCE AGAINST APPLICANT.
  10. SEVERABILITY: If a court of competent jurisdiction deems any term or provision of these Terms/Rules invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law and shall not affect, invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction; any term or provision deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall also not affect, invalidate or render unenforceable any other term or provision.
  11. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS: Sponsors reserve the right to adjust, modify, amend, suspend, or cancel the Competition, or any part of it, at their sole and absolute discretion and for any reason whatsoever, and without prior notice or obligation.
  12. DISPUTES; CHOICE OF LAW AND FORUM: Except where prohibited, Applicants agree that all matters arising out of or related to this Competition, any Prize awarded or not awarded, or these Terms/Rules, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and that all matters shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of New York, without giving effect to any of its conflict of laws rules or provision, which may permit the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.  Applicants further agree that any legal suit, action, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Competition shall be brought exclusively in the applicable federal court located in the State of New York.
  13. WINNERS LIST: For a list of the Competition Finalists and Prize Winners, available after all Prizes have been awarded and accepted, visit: seedinvest.com/blog. 
  14. PRIVACY: By accessing this site and submitting an application for the Competition, you agree to be bound by SeedInvest’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Circle’s Privacy Policy The Terms of Use are available at https://www.seedinvest.com/terms-and-conditions and the Privacy Policy is available at https://www.seedinvest.com/privacy-policy. Applicants should be aware that SeedInvest may be collecting non-public, personally-identifiable information about them in connection with the operation of the Competition.
  15. GENERAL CONDITIONS:
    • By submitting an application, Applicant understands and agrees that:
      1. Applicant must be available for the Competition live-stream on June 1, 2022;
      2. Participation in the Competition constitutes Applicant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Terms/Rules, as well as Sponsors’ decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Competition;
      3. Any information submitted in connection with Applicant’s participation in the Competition is true and correct;
      4. Applicant has not committed any fraud or other deception in submitting an application or otherwise participating in the Competition;
      5. Applicant will voluntarily and willingly comply with any requirements to submit proof of or otherwise verify the eligibility and/or legitimacy of any information submitted in connection with Applicant’s participation in the Competition;
      6. Applicant’s failure to submit any requested information or documentation to the complete satisfaction of Sponsors within the deadlines specified by Sponsors may result in disqualification at the sole and absolute discretion of Sponsors.
      7. Applicant is responsible for paying all federal, state, and local taxes if Applicant receives and accepts a Prize.
    • Sponsors are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, stolen, or misdirected applications; lost, interrupted, or unavailable network, server, or other connections, garbled transmissions or miscommunications, telephone transmission problems, computer or software malfunctions or damage to a user’s computer equipment (software or hardware); technical failures; or other errors or malfunctions of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, or otherwise.
    • Proof of sending or submission of application will not be deemed proof of receipt.
    • WARNING: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR APPLICATION ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROGRAM OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW, AND, SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO PROSECUTE AND SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
  16. PUBLICITY/RIGHTS; USE OF NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS: BY PARTICIPATING IN THE COMPETITION, APPLICANT GRANTS, AND GIVES PERMISSION TO SPONSORS, THEIR PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, LICENSEES, SUCCESSORS, AND ASSIGNS, VENDORS, AGENCIES, AND THOSE ACTING UNDER THEIR AUTHORITY, THE WORLDWIDE RIGHT AND PERMISSION TO PRINT, PUBLISH, BROADCAST, AND USE, IN ANY MEDIA NOW KNOWN OR HEREAFTER DEVELOPED OR EXISTING, ANY NAME AND TRADEMARK, or USERNAMES/HANDLES OF APPLICANT, AND ANY INDICIA OF IDENTITY OF THE  APPLICANT, INCLUDING NAMES, IMAGES, PICTURES, VOICES, STATEMENTS, LIKENESSES AND BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ANY MEDIUM (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO PRINT, PACKAGING, TELEVISION, RADIO, FILM, DIGITAL, MOBILE, AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB) AT ANY TIME OR TIMES AND IN PERPETUITY, FOR ANY PURPOSE, (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION ADVERTISING, TRADE, PROMOTIONAL AND INTERNAL BUSINESS PURPOSES) WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION, COMPENSATION, PERMISSION, OR NOTIFICATION.
  17. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: BY PARTICIPATING AND/OR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION TO THE COMPETITION, APPLICANT AGREES, WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO, AND HOLDS HARMLESS, RELEASES, AND DISCHARGES, SPONSORS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, SHAREHOLDERS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, LEGAL COUNSEL (THE “RELEASED PARTIES”)  FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LAWSUITS, LIABILITIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES (INCLUDING PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES), EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES), OR ANY OTHER LIABILITY OF ANY KIND, ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMPETITION.
  18. SPONSORS: SI SECURITIES, LLC 135 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10016 and Circle Internet Financial, LLC, 99 High Street, Suite 1701, Boston MA 02110.