These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern participation in the Keio ChainHack 2027 AI & Web3 Startup Pitch Competition ("Competition"), taking place on January 30, 2027, and organized by Keio FinTEK Center and Taisu Ventures (collectively, the "Organizers").

By registering for or participating in the Competition, you agree to abide by these Terms.

1. Eligibility

1.1. The Competition is open to participants globally, including students, aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage startup founders, and innovators working on AI, Web3, or related technologies.

1.2. Participants must be at least 18 years old or have written permission from a parent or legal guardian to participate, subject to applicable laws.

1.3. Participants may register individually or as part of a team, with a maximum of five (5) members per team.

1.4. Both early-stage business concepts and existing startups are eligible to apply. Participants are not required to have an incorporated company, working prototype, or launched product.

1.5. The Organizers reserve the right to determine eligibility and reject applications that do not meet the Competition's requirements.

2. Registration and Participation

2.1. Participants must register by the published deadline through the official Competition registration platform.

2.2. Each participant or team must provide accurate and complete information during registration.

2.3. Submissions must align with the Competition's focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Web3, or a combination of both.

2.4. Projects may incorporate AI, blockchain, decentralized technologies, tokenization, or other relevant innovations. Tokenomics, token issuance, and blockchain integration are not mandatory.

2.5. Selected participants will be invited to present their projects during the Competition, either in person or online, subject to arrangements determined by the Organizers.

2.6. Registration does not guarantee selection to pitch. The Organizers reserve the right to shortlist applicants based on the quality, relevance, and suitability of their submissions.

3. Submission Requirements

3.1. Submissions must be the original work of the participant or team, or work that the participant or team is legally authorized to present, and must not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights.

3.2. Each submission should include:

• Project Overview: Description of the proposed product, service, or business concept.

• Problem & Solution: The problem being addressed and the proposed solution.

• Technology & Innovation: How AI, Web3, or other relevant technologies contribute to the solution.

• Market Opportunity: Target customers, market potential, and competitive landscape.

• Business Model: Proposed commercial strategy, revenue model, and growth potential.

• Competitive Differentiation: Key advantages distinguishing the project from existing alternatives.

• Team: Background and relevant experience of the founders or team members.

3.3. Participants may optionally submit a prototype, minimum viable product (MVP), product demonstration, or other supporting materials to demonstrate technical feasibility or market validation.

3.4. Tokenomics may be included where relevant to the proposed business model but is not required.

3.5. All submissions must be completed by the designated deadline. Late or incomplete submissions may be rejected at the Organizers' discretion.

3.6. Participants retain ownership of their submissions and grant the Organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use submitted materials for Competition administration, judging, and event-related publicity, subject to Section 7.

4. Judging Criteria

4.1. Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Innovation: Originality and creativity of the proposed concept.

• Problem-Solving & Value Proposition: Relevance of the problem and effectiveness of the proposed solution.

• Market Opportunity: Understanding of the target market, customer needs, and commercial potential.

• Scalability: Potential for sustainable growth and broader adoption.

• Competitive Differentiation: Unique value proposition and competitive advantages.

• Technical & Commercial Feasibility: Practicality of execution, business viability, and implementation strategy.

• Team & Execution Capability: Relevant experience and ability to develop and execute the proposed business.

4.2. Participants may provide optional technical prototypes, product demonstrations, user traction, or other supporting evidence to strengthen their submissions.

4.3. AI and Web3 projects will be assessed under a common evaluation framework. No participant will be disadvantaged solely for not incorporating blockchain, tokens, or tokenomics.

4.4. The Organizers reserve the right to determine the scoring methodology, appoint judges, and make reasonable adjustments to the evaluation process.

4.5. Judges' decisions are final and binding in relation to Competition rankings and awards.

5. Prizes and Recognition

5.1. The top three (3) selected teams will receive opportunities to present their projects directly to venture capital partners and investment decision-makers, subject to scheduling and availability.

5.2. Winners may also be considered for additional mentorship, business development introductions, or other forms of ecosystem support at the discretion of the Organizers and participating partners.

5.3. Participation or selection as a winner does not guarantee investment, funding, incubation, commercial partnerships, or any other financial commitment.

5.4. Prizes and opportunities are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash unless expressly stated otherwise by the Organizers.

5.5. Any applicable taxes, fees, or expenses associated with participation or prizes shall be the responsibility of the respective participants.

5.6. The Organizers reserve the right to modify the prizes or recognition arrangements where reasonably necessary.

6. Code of Conduct

6.1. Participants must conduct themselves professionally and respectfully toward other participants, judges, organizers, sponsors, and attendees.

6.2. Harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, plagiarism, or other inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated.

6.3. Participants must not knowingly provide false or misleading information regarding their projects, technology, traction, partnerships, or business performance.

6.4. Participants must comply with applicable laws and event rules, including reasonable instructions relating to venue access, presentations, and online participation.

6.5. The Organizers reserve the right to disqualify participants or remove individuals from the event for violations of these Terms.

7. Intellectual Property, Confidentiality & Publicity

7.1. Participants retain ownership of their ideas, submissions, and any intellectual property developed before or during the Competition.

7.2. Participation does not transfer ownership of intellectual property to the Organizers, judges, sponsors, or other participants.

7.3. Participants acknowledge that the Competition may be held publicly, livestreamed, photographed, or recorded. Presentation materials and information disclosed during the event may therefore become publicly accessible.

7.4. Participants are responsible for determining whether their submissions contain confidential, proprietary, or patent-sensitive information and should avoid publicly disclosing information they wish to keep confidential.

7.5. The Organizers and judges are not subject to confidentiality obligations regarding submissions unless separately agreed in writing.

7.6. Participants grant the Organizers permission to use their project names, team names, approved presentation materials, and event-related photographs or recordings for the administration, promotion, and documentation of Keio ChainHack and related activities.

7.7. Such promotional use does not transfer ownership of participants' underlying intellectual property or authorize the commercial exploitation of their technology.

7.8. Participants are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary rights and permissions to use any third-party content, software, datasets, trademarks, or other materials included in their submissions.

8. Liability and Indemnity

8.1. Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, equipment, internet connectivity, and other expenses associated with participation unless otherwise expressly agreed.

8.2. The Organizers do not guarantee uninterrupted internet access, livestream availability, or technical performance during online or in-person presentations.

8.3. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Organizers, sponsors, and partners shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses arising from participation in the Competition.

8.4. Participants agree to indemnify the Organizers against third-party claims, losses, or reasonable expenses arising from their infringement of intellectual property rights, material misrepresentations, or unlawful conduct, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

8.5. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

9. Modification and Cancellation

9.1. The Organizers reserve the right to modify the Competition's schedule, format, judging process, participation requirements, or other arrangements where reasonably necessary.

9.2. The Organizers may postpone or cancel the Competition due to circumstances beyond their reasonable control, operational constraints, or other legitimate reasons.

9.3. Participants will be notified of material changes through the contact information provided during registration or through official event communication channels.

9.4. The Organizers reserve the right to adjust the number of selected pitching teams and presentation durations based on the volume and quality of applications.

10. Personal Data

10.1. Personal information collected during registration will be used for Competition administration, participant communications, judging, event logistics, and related activities.

10.2. Participant information may be shared with relevant Organizers, judges, and service providers where reasonably necessary to administer the Competition, subject to applicable data protection requirements.

10.3. Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and the relevant privacy notices provided during registration.

11. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

11.1. These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Japan.

11.2. Any disputes arising from or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts in Tokyo, Japan, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

12. Agreement to Terms

By registering for or participating in Keio ChainHack 2027, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.

Contact Information

For questions or concerns regarding these Terms, please contact:

Email: info@taisu.io