ekipa US Instance Terms of Use

1. Scope and Application

These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern access to and use of the ekipa US platform instance operated by ekipa GmbH ("ekipa") (the "Platform").

The Platform enables participation in specific innovation initiatives and collaboration formats (each an "Innovation Project") initiated by third-party organizations (each a "Project Sponsor").

These Terms govern the contractual relationship between ekipa and users with respect to access to and use of the Platform and related platform-based services. Any rules governing eligibility, evaluation, intellectual property treatment, rewards, or other project-specific conditions are defined exclusively in the applicable project documentation or official rules issued by the respective Project Sponsor ("Project Rules").

In the event of a conflict between these Terms and the applicable Project Rules, the Project Rules shall prevail with respect to the respective Innovation Project.

2. Operator Information

The Platform is operated by:

ekipa GmbH
Kaiserstraße 56
60329 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

Registered at Frankfurt am Main Local Court under HRB 113272

Contact: hello@ekipa.de

3. Registration and Account

3.1 The contractual relationship between ekipa and the user is formed upon successful registration on the Platform and acceptance of these Terms.

3.2 Access to and use of the Platform is provided free of charge unless explicitly stated otherwise.

3.3 Access to the Platform requires prior registration and creation of a user account.

3.4 Registration does not create any entitlement to participate in a specific Innovation Project. Participation is subject to the applicable Project Rules and the decision of the respective Project Sponsor.

3.5 Users must provide accurate and complete information and keep such information up to date.

3.6 Each user may maintain only one account.

3.7 ekipa reserves the right to refuse registration or suspend or terminate accounts in case of misuse or violation of these Terms.

3.8 Use of the Platform is limited to individuals aged 18 years or older.

4. Platform Functionality

4.1 The Platform provides technical infrastructure enabling users to:

• create and manage profiles,
• form or join teams,
• collaborate and communicate within teams,
• upload and submit materials in connection with an Innovation Project,
• access project-related information.

4.2 ekipa acts as the operator of the Platform and may provide organizational and administrative support in connection with Innovation Projects. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the applicable Project Rules, ekipa is not the sponsor, organizer, or decision-making authority of any Innovation Project.

4.3 ekipa may modify, enhance, restrict, or discontinue individual features of the Platform at its discretion.

4.4 ekipa does not guarantee uninterrupted availability of the Platform. Temporary interruptions may occur due to maintenance, technical reasons, force majeure, or other operational requirements.

5. Innovation Projects

5.1 Innovation Projects are initiated and defined by the respective Project Sponsor.

5.2 Project-specific requirements, evaluation criteria, submission formats, intellectual property arrangements, and any rewards are governed exclusively by the applicable Project Rules.

5.3 Participation in an Innovation Project necessarily involves the transmission of submitted materials and associated participant data to the respective Project Sponsor for evaluation and project administration purposes in accordance with the applicable Project Rules and Privacy Notice.

5.4 ekipa has no influence over and assumes no responsibility for:

• evaluation of submissions,
• selection of participants,
• award decisions,
• distribution of rewards, or
• any decisions made by the Project Sponsor.

6. Teams

6.1 Users may participate individually or as part of a team, subject to the applicable Project Rules.

6.2 Team formation and participation are governed by the Platform's technical functionality.

6.3 Where a submission is made by a team, each team member must individually confirm participation and acceptance of the applicable Project Rules prior to final submission.

7. User Conduct

Users shall not:

• upload unlawful content;
• infringe intellectual property rights of third parties;
• upload defamatory, abusive, obscene, discriminatory, or otherwise unlawful material;
• use the Platform for unauthorized commercial purposes;
• interfere with the integrity, security, or proper functioning of the Platform.

ekipa reserves the right to remove content and suspend or terminate accounts in case of violations.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Users retain ownership of their submissions unless otherwise provided in the applicable Project Rules.

8.2 All content, trademarks, logos, and technical components of the Platform are protected by applicable intellectual property laws and may not be used without prior written consent of ekipa.

9. Indemnification

Users agree to indemnify and hold ekipa harmless from third-party claims arising from:

• unlawful or infringing content uploaded by the user;
• violation of these Terms;
• infringement of third-party rights.

10. Limitation of Liability

10.1 ekipa shall be liable without limitation in cases of intent or gross negligence.

10.2 In cases of simple negligence, ekipa shall only be liable for breach of essential contractual obligations (cardinal duties), limited to foreseeable and typical damages.

10.3 ekipa shall not be liable for decisions or actions taken by any Project Sponsor.

10.4 ekipa shall not be liable for temporary unavailability of the Platform, loss of data not caused by intent or gross negligence, or the conduct or identity of other users.

10.5 To the extent permitted by law, ekipa shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.

10.6 The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, to the extent permitted by law.

10.7 Nothing in these Terms shall be construed as creating an employment, partnership, agency, or joint venture relationship between ekipa and any user.

11. Data Protection

Personal data is processed in accordance with the applicable Privacy Notice for the ekipa US Platform, available on the Platform via us.ekipa.de/privacy.

12. Term and Termination

12.1 Users may delete their account at any time. The agreement ends automatically when the account is deleted.

12.2 ekipa may suspend or terminate access in case of violations of these Terms.

12.3 ekipa may discontinue operation of the Platform at its discretion.

13. Amendments

ekipa reserves the right to amend these Terms. Updated Terms will be made available on the Platform. Continued use of the Platform after publication constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The place of jurisdiction shall be Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to the extent legally permissible.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.