Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of these terms

By accessing or using the Founders Club Canada website or private member platform, you agree to these Terms of Use and to any additional policies, notices or agreements that apply to a particular service. If you do not agree, you should not use the applicable service.

2. Eligibility and authority

You must have the legal capacity and authority necessary to use the services and, where you use the website or platform on behalf of a company or other organization, to bind that organization to any applicable terms. The private member platform is intended for authorized business users and is not a consumer social-networking service.

3. Public website

The public website provides information about Founders Club Canada, its membership model, programs, events, insights and related activities. Website content may be updated, corrected, removed or reorganized at any time.

4. Private member platform

The member platform is intended only for authorized members, approved partners and administrators. Access credentials are personal. Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their credentials and for activity occurring through their account to the extent permitted by applicable law.

5. Membership applications and admission

Submitting an application does not guarantee membership. Admission decisions may consider eligibility, founder role, company context, network composition, capacity, conduct, strategic fit and other relevant factors. The Club may request additional information or a membership conversation before making a decision.

6. Membership terms, dues and renewal

Specific membership fees, billing terms, renewal conditions, cancellation rights or additional member obligations may be provided separately before or during membership. Where a specific membership agreement conflicts with these general website terms, the specific membership agreement will govern the relevant issue.

7. Member credential

A digital member card or member number may be issued to an approved member. The credential is an account identifier for the Founders Club member experience and does not represent a government-issued identity document, financial instrument, security credential for third-party systems or transferable ownership right. Credentials must not be sold, assigned or misrepresented.

8. Community and professional conduct

Members and users are expected to act professionally, respect other participants, avoid harassment or abusive behaviour, refrain from unsolicited mass solicitation, and use member information only for legitimate peer, program or institutional purposes. Access may be limited, suspended or terminated where use materially conflicts with these standards or the integrity of the institution.

9. Confidentiality and private forums

The Club may facilitate founder councils, executive round tables, dinners, briefings and other private discussions. Participants are responsible for respecting confidentiality expectations communicated for a particular setting. Unless expressly stated, participation does not create legal privilege and the Club cannot guarantee that another participant will preserve information shared with them.

10. Introductions

Introductions are facilitated as a member service and may be curated based on relevance, consent, availability and context. A request does not guarantee an introduction, response, commercial relationship, investment, partnership or other outcome. Members remain responsible for their own diligence and decisions.

11. Events and programs

Event format, speakers, venue, timing, attendance criteria and availability may change. Some events may be subject to separate registration, venue, confidentiality, recording, code-of-conduct or cancellation terms. Members are responsible for reviewing any additional terms communicated for a specific event.

12. Intellectual property

The website design, original editorial content, program materials, member resources, databases, software interfaces, brand elements, trademarks and other proprietary materials may be protected by copyright, trademark and other intellectual property laws. Except for limited personal use of the services as intended, no rights are granted unless expressly stated in writing.

13. User submissions

You are responsible for information you submit through applications, profile fields, forms, messages or other platform features. You should only submit information you are permitted to provide and should avoid uploading confidential third-party information unless you have the authority and a legitimate reason to do so.

14. Prohibited use

You must not misuse the website or platform, attempt unauthorized access, interfere with security controls, scrape or systematically extract member data, distribute malware, impersonate another person, use the service for unlawful activity, or use member information for unsolicited bulk marketing.

15. Third-party services and links

The Club may link to or use third-party products, event platforms, payment processors, communications tools or other services. Third parties are responsible for their own services, terms, security and privacy practices. A link, introduction or integration does not by itself constitute an endorsement or guarantee.

16. Privacy

Use of the website and private platform is also subject to the Founders Club Canada Privacy Policy. By submitting information through the services, you acknowledge that information will be handled in accordance with that policy and any additional notices presented at the point of collection.

17. Electronic communications

When you provide an email address or use the member platform, you consent to receive service-related electronic communications that are reasonably necessary to administer an application, account, event, membership or security matter. Marketing communications will be handled in accordance with applicable law and available unsubscribe choices.

18. Brand and trademark use

Names, logos, marks, member-card designs and other Founders Club Canada brand elements may not be copied, modified, used to imply endorsement, or applied to merchandise, events, domains, social accounts or promotional materials without prior written permission. Membership does not grant a general licence to use Club trademarks or represent that a member speaks on behalf of the institution.

19. No professional, legal or investment advice

Website content, events, introductions, member discussions, resources and insights are provided for general informational and community purposes. They do not constitute legal, financial, investment, tax, accounting, employment, medical or other professional advice. You remain responsible for obtaining appropriate professional advice and for your own business decisions.

20. No guarantee of outcomes

Membership may create access to relationships, information and programs, but the Club does not guarantee financing, revenue, partnerships, hiring outcomes, investment returns, company performance or any other commercial result.

21. Availability and changes

The website and platform may be modified, suspended, interrupted or discontinued in whole or in part. Features may change as the member experience evolves. Reasonable efforts may be made to maintain availability, but uninterrupted or error-free operation is not guaranteed.

22. Disclaimers and limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the website, platform and related services are provided on an “as available” basis without warranties that cannot lawfully be excluded. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Founders Club Canada will not be responsible for indirect, incidental, special, consequential or similar losses arising solely from use of the public website or voluntary participation in community interactions. Additional limitations may apply under specific membership or service agreements.

23. Indemnity

To the extent permitted by applicable law and any governing membership agreement, users may be responsible for losses or claims caused by their unlawful use of the services, misuse of member data, infringement of third-party rights or material violation of these terms.

24. Suspension and termination

Access to the member platform may be suspended or terminated where reasonably necessary for security, non-payment under applicable membership terms, material misuse, breach of conduct expectations, legal requirements or protection of the institution and its members. Additional procedures may be set out in membership-specific terms.

25. Governing requirements

Unless a more specific written agreement states otherwise, these terms and use of the services are governed by the laws applicable in the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable there, without limiting rights that cannot lawfully be waived. Any dispute remains subject to the jurisdiction and procedural requirements that apply under governing law and any specific membership agreement.

26. Severability, waiver and entire understanding

If a provision of these terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to the extent permitted by law. A failure to enforce a provision does not waive the right to enforce it later. These terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any specific written membership or service agreement, form the applicable understanding for use of the relevant services.

27. Changes to these terms

These Terms of Use may be revised as the website, platform, programs or legal requirements evolve. The current version will be published on this page with the updated date shown above. Continued use after an update will constitute acceptance to the extent permitted by applicable law.

28. Contact

Questions about these Terms of Use or the website can be sent to [email protected].