Please read these Terms of Service carefully before using the GroundUp platform. By creating an account or using any part of the Platform, you agree to be bound by these terms.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and GroundUp ("we", "us", or "our").
1. Definitions
- "Platform" means the GroundUp website and web application at groundup.app
- "Club" means any grassroots sports club, community organisation, university society, or similar entity registered on the Platform
- "Sponsor" means any business, brand, or individual registered on the Platform seeking to provide sponsorship
- "User" means any individual with a registered account on the Platform
- "Deal" means a sponsorship agreement negotiated and completed through the Platform
- "Services" means all features provided through the Platform, including matching, messaging, deal management, and payments
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old to create an account. By registering, you confirm that you are authorised to act on behalf of any organisation you represent on the Platform.
3. Account Registration
- You must provide accurate, complete, and current information when registering
- You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
- You are responsible for all activity that occurs under your account
- You must notify us immediately of any unauthorised access to your account
- We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms
4. Profile Accuracy
You agree to provide truthful, accurate, and non-misleading information in your Club or Sponsor profile. Profiles found to contain false or misleading content may be removed without notice. GroundUp does not verify profile claims but may investigate reported inaccuracies.
5. AI-Powered Matching
GroundUp uses automated AI compatibility scoring to suggest potential matches between Clubs and Sponsors. These suggestions are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of suitability. You retain full discretion over whether to pursue any suggested match.
You have the right to request human review of any significant automated decision by contacting us at Groundupsponsors@gmail.com.
6. Messaging and Communication
- All communication between Clubs and Sponsors must take place through GroundUp's in-platform messaging system until a Deal is formally agreed
- You must not use messaging to send spam, harassment, illegal content, or unsolicited commercial communications
- GroundUp reserves the right to review messages where abuse is reported
- Discovery Calls arranged through the Platform must be conducted professionally and in good faith
7. Deal Rooms and Sponsorship Agreements
7.1 Negotiation
Deal Rooms provide a structured environment for negotiating sponsorship terms. Both parties should negotiate in good faith. GroundUp is not a party to any sponsorship agreement reached through the Platform.
7.2 Contractual Obligations
Once a sponsorship agreement is signed through the Platform, both parties are contractually bound by its terms. GroundUp provides tooling to track obligations but bears no liability for non-performance by either party.
7.3 Dispute Resolution
In the event of a dispute between a Club and Sponsor, we encourage parties to resolve matters directly. GroundUp may, at its discretion, provide assistance but is not obligated to mediate or arbitrate disputes.
8. Payments and Fees
8.1 Platform Fee
GroundUp charges a platform fee of 2.5% from each party upon successful completion of a Deal. This fee is deducted automatically at point of payment. No fee is charged for profile creation, browsing, or matching.
8.2 Stripe Connect
Payments are processed via Stripe Connect. By using the payment features of the Platform, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Connected Account Agreement. GroundUp does not store card details.
8.3 Refunds
Platform fees are non-refundable once a Deal is marked as completed. Disputes regarding the underlying sponsorship value should be resolved between the parties directly.
9. Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to:
- Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose
- Attempt to circumvent the Platform's payment system or conduct deals outside the Platform to avoid fees
- Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
- Scrape, copy, or systematically extract data from the Platform
- Upload malicious code, viruses, or disruptive content
- Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
- Use the Platform to promote discriminatory, hateful, or illegal content
10. Intellectual Property
All intellectual property rights in the Platform, including its design, software, and content, are owned by or licensed to GroundUp. You retain ownership of content you upload (logos, descriptions, images) but grant GroundUp a non-exclusive licence to display and use it for the purposes of operating the Platform.
11. Disclaimers
The Platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. GroundUp does not guarantee that:
- The Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure
- Any match suggestions will result in a successful sponsorship
- Profiles or information provided by other users are accurate or complete
12. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, GroundUp shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Platform. Our total liability to you for any claim shall not exceed the total fees paid by you to GroundUp in the 12 months preceding the claim.
13. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless GroundUp, its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of the Platform or your breach of these Terms.
14. Termination
You may close your account at any time. GroundUp may suspend or terminate your account without notice if you breach these Terms or if we are required to do so by law. Upon termination, your data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
15. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
16. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will notify users of material changes by email or in-platform notification at least 14 days before changes take effect. Continued use of the Platform after that date constitutes acceptance.
17. Contact
For questions about these Terms, please contact:
GroundUp
Email: Groundupsponsors@gmail.com