These Founder Participation Terms form part of the IgniteAI Service Terms and apply specifically to individuals or teams participating in the Programme as startup founders (“Founders”).

By accepting a place in the Programme as a Founder, you agree to the following additional terms.

1. General Founder Obligations

1.1 Founders agree to participate in good faith and commit meaningful effort toward developing their startup during the Programme.

1.2 Founders acknowledge that the Programme is intensive and outcome-focused. Active engagement is required, including preparation for sessions, implementation of feedback, and collaboration with cohort members.

1.3 Founders must conduct themselves professionally, ethically, and in alignment with IgniteAI’s values and community standards.

1.4 Founders remain fully responsible for:

• All business decisions made during or after the Programme
• Legal compliance of their startup
• Financial management and regulatory obligations

⠀IgniteAI does not assume operational control of any Founder business.

2. 2% Equity Donation Request

2.1 IgniteAI may request that participating Founders commit to donating 2% equity in their startup entity to IgniteAI (or its nominated entity), subject to a separate written equity agreement.

2.2 The 2% equity contribution:

• Is intended as long-term alignment and ecosystem sustainability support
• Is not a cash fee
• Will be formalised under separate legal documentation
• Could be withdrawn by the founder with a written notice at the end of the cohort.

 

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2.3 Where equity is agreed:
Terms of issuance, vesting (if applicable), and structure will be defined in an equity agreement
Founders must cooperate in executing necessary documentation within a reasonable timeframe

2.4 Participation may proceed without immediate equity issuance where agreed, but IgniteAI reserves the right to condition continued access on finalising agreed equity arrangements.

2.5 IgniteAI does not guarantee investment, valuation uplift, or funding outcomes in exchange for equity.

3. Business Information Sharing

3.1 Founders agree to share accurate and sufficient information about their startup to enable meaningful support.

This may include:

• Business model details
• Market validation evidence
• Financial projections
• Cap table structure
• Product roadmaps
• User or traction data
3.2 Such information may be shared with:
• IgniteAI mentors and coaches
• Approved Programme advisors
• Potential investors during Demo Day (with Founder consent)
3.3 IgniteAI will handle confidential information responsibly but does not guarantee non-disclosure unless a separate NDA is executed.
3.4 Founders are responsible for identifying any sensitive information they do not wish to disclose publicly.

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4. Commitment (Office Hours)

4.1 Founders commit to full participation in the structured Programme.

4.2 This includes attendance at:

• Specific workshops
• Office hours sessions
• Mentoring meetings
• Demo Day preparation

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4.3 “Office hours” refers to scheduled working blocks where Founders are expected to be present (physically or virtually, as specified) for focused execution and collaboration.

4.4 Founders agree to:

• Prioritise Programme commitments over conflicting non-essential engagements
• Notify IgniteAI in advance of unavoidable absences
• Catch up on missed material independently





⠀4.5 Repeated non-attendance or disengagement may result in removal from the Programme at IgniteAI’s discretion.

5. Squad Training Commitment

5.1 Founders agree to participate in assigned squad-based training, where startups are grouped for peer accountability and collaborative learning.

5.2 Squad participation includes:

• Regular peer sessions
• Constructive feedback exchange
• Shared milestone tracking
• Accountability reporting

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5.3 Founders should:

• Contribute actively to squad discussions
• Respect confidentiality within squads
• Provide honest but professional feedback

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5.4 IgniteAI may reassign squad composition where needed to optimize cohort outcomes.

6. Representation & Public Engagement

6.1 Founders may be invited to:

• Pitch publicly
• Participate in Demo Day
• Feature in IgniteAI marketing materials





⠀6.2 Founders grant IgniteAI permission to use:

• Startup name and logo
• Founder name and profile
• Non-confidential pitch materials
for promotional purposes, unless opted out in writing.

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7. Termination of Founder Participation

7.1 IgniteAI may suspend or terminate Founder participation for:

• Misrepresentation of business information
• Breach of equity agreements
• Repeated non-engagement
• Conduct harmful to the cohort

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8. No Partnership or Employment

Participation does not create:

• A partnership
• A joint venture
• An employment relationship
• A fiduciary relationship

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