These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the website startupsmart.ventures (the "Site") and the tools, content, and services provided by Start-Up Smart Ventures LLC ("Start-Up Smart," "we," "us," or "our"). By using the Site, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.
1. Who We Are
Start-Up Smart Ventures is a fundraising advisory practice that provides content, diagnostic tools, and consulting services for founders raising early-stage capital. The Site includes informational content, free tools such as the 8 Fits MRI and the Deck Review qualifier, and information about our paid services.
2. Use of the Site
You may use the Site for lawful purposes only. You agree not to use the Site in any way that could damage, disable, or impair it, to attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Site or its systems, to interfere with any other party's use of the Site, or to use the Site to transmit harmful or unlawful material. We may suspend or restrict access to the Site at any time without notice.
3. Not Investment, Legal, or Financial Advice
The content, tools, diagnostics, and services offered by Start-Up Smart are provided for informational and educational purposes to help founders prepare to raise capital. They are not, and should not be relied on as, investment advice, legal advice, financial advice, or a guarantee of any outcome.
We do not raise capital on your behalf, act as a broker-dealer, or promise that you will secure funding. Fundraising outcomes depend on many factors outside our control. Any decision you make based on our content or services is your own responsibility, and you should seek independent professional advice where appropriate.
4. Free Tools and Diagnostics
Tools such as the 8 Fits MRI and the Deck Review qualifier are provided free of charge and "as is." The scores, feedback, and recommendations they generate are directional guidance based on the information you provide, not definitive assessments. We make no guarantee about their accuracy, completeness, or suitability for your specific situation.
5. Client Services
Paid engagements are governed by a separate written agreement between you and Start-Up Smart that sets out scope, fees, and terms. Where that agreement conflicts with these Terms, the signed engagement agreement controls for matters within its scope. Nothing on the Site constitutes an offer or an obligation to provide paid services.
6. Intellectual Property
The Site and its contents, including text, frameworks (such as the 8 Fits), graphics, logos, and tools, are owned by Start-Up Smart or its licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. You may view and share our public content for personal, non-commercial purposes with attribution. You may not copy, reproduce, republish, or create derivative works from our content or frameworks for commercial purposes without our prior written permission.
7. Your Submissions
When you submit information through the Site, you confirm that it is accurate and that you have the right to share it. You grant us permission to use the information you submit to provide the services you request and to operate and improve the Site, consistent with our Privacy Policy.
8. Third-Party Links and Services
The Site may link to or rely on third-party websites and services. We do not control and are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of any third party. Your use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their terms.
9. Disclaimer of Warranties
The Site and everything on it are provided "as is" and "as available," without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure, or that any content or tool will meet your requirements.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Start-Up Smart and its owners, employees, and contractors will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for any loss of profits, revenue, data, or business, arising out of or related to your use of the Site, its tools, or its content, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Our total liability for any claim relating to the Site will not exceed one hundred US dollars ($100), except where a signed engagement agreement provides otherwise for paid services.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Start-Up Smart and its owners, employees, and contractors from any claims, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your use of the Site or your violation of these Terms.
12. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Site will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Colorado, unless applicable law requires otherwise.
13. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above. Your continued use of the Site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, contact us through the contact page or by email at the address listed there.