Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By submitting an application to the Caribbean Venture Accelerator & Demo Day ("the Program"), you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not submit an application.

These terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you (the "Applicant" or "Participant") and Impact Hub Aruba ("the Organizer," "we," "us," or "our").

2. Eligibility

To be eligible for the Program, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age or have legal guardian consent
• Represent a legitimate business venture or startup
• Be legally authorized to conduct business in your jurisdiction
• Have the authority to bind your company to these terms
• Not be subject to any legal restrictions that would prevent participation

The Organizer reserves the right to verify eligibility and may request additional documentation.

3. Application Process

3.1 Application Submission

All applications must be submitted through the official registration form on our website. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and submission does not guarantee acceptance.

3.2 Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed within 3-5 business days. Selection is based on factors including but not limited to:

• Business viability and growth potential
• Stage of development and traction
• Team strength and experience
• Alignment with Caribbean innovation ecosystem
• Completeness and quality of application

3.3 Acceptance Notification

Accepted applicants will receive an email notification with payment instructions and program details. Acceptance is conditional upon timely payment of program fees.

4. Fees & Payment

4.1 Program Fees

• Startup Category: $450 USD
• Growth Category: $695 USD

4.2 Payment Terms

Payment must be completed within 7 days of acceptance notification. Failure to complete payment within this timeframe may result in forfeiture of your spot.

4.3 Payment Methods

We accept credit card payments through our secure payment partner, CXPay. All payments are processed in USD.

4.4 What's Included

Both categories include:

• Full Accelerator Program (December 1-5, 2026)
• Premium Pitch Coaching with expert mentors (December 7-9, 2026)
• Pitch Deck Review & Mentorship sessions
• Demo Day presentation slot (December 10, 2026)
• Access to investor network and partnership opportunities

4.5 Additional Costs

Program fees do not include:

• Travel and accommodation expenses
• Meals and personal expenses
• Visa or immigration fees (if applicable)
• Any post-program services or follow-up consulting

5. Refund Policy

5.1 Cancellation by Participant

• More than 30 days before program start: 75% refund
• 15-30 days before program start: 50% refund
• Less than 15 days before program start: No refund
• No-show or withdrawal after program begins: No refund

5.2 Cancellation by Organizer

If the Organizer cancels the Program for any reason, participants will receive a full refund of program fees paid. The Organizer is not responsible for any travel, accommodation, or other expenses incurred.

5.3 Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed within 14 business days to the original payment method.

6. Participation Requirements

6.1 Attendance

Participants are expected to attend all scheduled sessions of the Accelerator Program (Dec 1-5), Pitch Preparation (Dec 7-9), and Demo Day (Dec 10). Failure to attend may result in removal from the program without refund.

6.2 Code of Conduct

All participants must:

• Treat all participants, mentors, investors, and staff with respect
• Refrain from any discriminatory, harassing, or inappropriate behavior
• Protect confidential information shared by other participants
• Comply with all venue rules and local laws
• Not engage in any illegal or unethical business practices

Violation of the code of conduct may result in immediate removal from the program without refund.

6.3 Media & Photography

By participating, you grant the Organizer permission to use photographs, videos, and recordings of you and your presentation for promotional purposes, including but not limited to website, social media, and marketing materials.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Ownership

You retain all ownership rights to your business ideas, intellectual property, and presentations. Participation in the Program does not grant the Organizer any ownership stake or equity in your venture.

7.2 Confidentiality

While we encourage openness, we understand the sensitive nature of early-stage ventures. Mentors, investors, and staff will maintain confidentiality regarding information shared during private sessions. However, information shared during Demo Day and public presentations is not considered confidential.

7.3 Non-Disclosure

Participants are responsible for protecting their own intellectual property. We recommend:

• Filing appropriate patents, trademarks, or copyrights before disclosure
• Using confidentiality agreements with potential partners or investors
• Being selective about what proprietary information is shared publicly

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1 No Guarantees

The Organizer makes no guarantees regarding:

• Investment opportunities or funding outcomes
• Business success or revenue generation
• Partnership or collaboration opportunities
• Market validation or customer acquisition

8.2 Disclaimer of Warranties

The Program is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. The Organizer does not warrant that the Program will meet your specific business needs or expectations.

8.3 Limitation of Damages

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Organizer's total liability for any claims arising from the Program shall not exceed the program fees paid by the participant.

8.4 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Organizer, its partners, mentors, and staff from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your participation in the Program or violation of these terms.

9. Event Cancellation or Modification

9.1 Force Majeure

The Organizer reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the Program due to circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Natural disasters or severe weather
• Public health emergencies or pandemics
• Government restrictions or regulations
• Venue unavailability
• Insufficient registrations

9.2 Virtual Alternative

In the event of cancellation, the Organizer may offer a virtual alternative. Participants will have the option to participate virtually or receive a partial refund as outlined in Section 5.

9.3 Schedule Changes

Minor changes to the schedule, speakers, or program content may occur. The Organizer will make reasonable efforts to notify participants of significant changes.

10. Privacy & Data Protection

10.1 Data Collection

We collect personal and business information through the application process, including:

• Contact information (name, email, phone)
• Business information (company name, industry, stage)
• Financial information (for payment processing)
• Demographic information (location, background)

10.2 Data Use

Your information is used for:

• Application review and selection
• Program administration and communication
• Payment processing
• Program improvement and analytics
• Marketing and promotional purposes (with consent)

10.3 Data Sharing

We may share your information with:

• Program partners and sponsors (with consent)
• Investors attending Demo Day (basic contact info only)
• Service providers (payment processing, email services)
• Legal authorities (if required by law)

10.4 Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your information. However, no internet transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10.5 Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
• Opt-out of marketing communications

11. Changes to Terms

The Organizer reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Changes will be posted on our website with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued participation after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified terms.

Material changes affecting current participants will be communicated via email with reasonable notice.

12. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact: