Terms & Conditions
Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024
Valid as of 1st April 2024
Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024 Official Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. CONTEST IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF PAKISTAN OR INDIVIDUALS BELONGING TO STARTUPS WITH A BUSINESS ENTITY IN PAKISTAN. ENTRY IN THIS CONTEST CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES.
DEFINITIONS
“Award”: refers to the prizes awarded to the Winners at the end of the Challenge.
“Brief”: refers to the specifications determined by the Partner Company, which may include the deadlines, the awards, the guidelines and themes to be complied with by all Participants contributions.
“Contest”: refers to the Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024 that is the subject of the Official Rules, as organized by the Tech Valley.
“Finalist”: refers to Participant who reaches the final stage of the Contest.
“Grand Finals Jury”: refers to the judges responsible for selecting the winner of each Track.
“Official Rules”: refers to these rules, which apply to the Contest.
“Participant”: refers to any person registered in accordance with the Rules who takes part in the Challenge.
“Track”: refers to any of the following five industry themes that Participants can submit an Entry to:
- AI & Generative AI
- Fintech
- E-commerce & Connectivity
- Sustainability & Environment
- Frontier Digital Technology
“Entry”: refers to the Participant’s submission on the Organiser’s website.
“Registration”: refers to the registration of a Contest Participant in accordance with the Rules.
“Evaluation Jury”: refers to the judges responsible for selecting the Finalists.
“Winner” or “Winners”: refers to Participants that reach the Grand Finals of the Contest, and are ranked by the Grand Finals Jury as winning teams.
BINDING AGREEMENT
In order to enter the Contest, you must agree to these Official Rules (“Rules”). Therefore, please read these Rules prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree. You agree that submission of an entry in the Contest constitutes agreement to these Rules. You may not submit an entry to the Contest, and you are not eligible to receive the prizes described in these Rules unless you agree to these Rules. These Rules form a binding legal agreement between you and Tech Valley with respect to the Contest.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to enter the Contest, you must:
(1) Be a resident of Pakistan,
(2) Above the age of 18 at the time of entry,
(3) Have a registered domain or live website of startup
(4) Be a technology startup and not a consultancy
(5) Not be more than 10 years old
Employees, interns, contractors, and official office-holders of the Organizer and its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, advertising and promotion agencies, representatives, and agents (“Contest Entities”), and members of the Contest Entities and their immediate families (parents, siblings, children, spouses, and life partners of each, regardless of where they live) and members of the households (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors are ineligible to participate in this Contest. The Organizer reserves the right to verify eligibility and to adjudicate any dispute at any time.
If you are entering as part of a company or on behalf of your employer, these rules are binding on you, individually, and/or your employer. If you are acting within the scope of your employment, as an employee, contractor, or agent of another party, you warrant that such party has full knowledge of your actions and has consented thereto, including your potential receipt of a prize. You further warrant that your actions do not violate your employer’s or company’s policies and procedures.
ORGANIZER
The Contest is organized by Tech Valley Pvt. Ltd. (“Organizer”), a Pakistan corporation with principal place of business at 17, Main Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Road, I-8/3, Islamabad, Pakistan.
CONTEST PERIOD
The Contest begins at 12:00:00 P.M. Pakistan Standard Time (PST) in Pakistan on 4 April, 2024 and ends at 11:59:59 (PST) on June 14, 2024 (“Contest Period”). ENTRANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE CORRESPONDING TIME ZONE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS. The Contest period may be extended without express notice at the Organizer’s discretion.
HOW TO ENTER
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. To enter the Contest, visit the Contest website located at techvalley.pk/startupcompetition (“Contest Site”) on or prior to June 14, 2024 11:59 p.m. (PT) and follow the instructions for submitting the “Entry.” A confirmation email will be sent to the Participant’s listed email address.
Please find the Entry Requirements outlined below (hereinafter, “Requirements”).
- Written parts of entries must be in English to be eligible. The Entry must, at a minimum, support English language use.
- Pitch deck of maximum 10 slides.
LIMIT ONE (1) ENTRY PER APPLICANT, defined by the website domain submitted in the Entry. Subsequent entries will be disqualified. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (PT) on June 14, 2024. Entries are void if they are in whole or part illegible, incomplete, damaged, altered, counterfeit, obtained through fraud, or late. All entries will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry, and the potential winner may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder for that email address. The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned to an email address by an Internet service provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning the email address for the domain.
SELECTION PROCESS
The Contest is divided in two selection processes:
- Evaluation: this stage ends with the selection of five Finalists for each Track;
- Grand Finals: this stage ends with the selection of a single Winner of each Track;
- The prize(s) will be awarded to the participant(s) with the highest score for the judging criteria for each Track, as assessed by the Grand Finals Jury.
Each of these selection processes is based on the judging criteria of:
- Strength of product;
- Market differentiation;
- Traction & Growth potential;
- Strength of team
The entry pitch (from here on called the “Entry”) will be evaluated by judges, who will choose the winner(s) in accordance with these Official Rules. See below for the complete details.
The Organizer, its agents and/or the Judges (defined below) will be evaluating each Entry to ensure that it meets the Requirements. The Organizer reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant who submits an Entry that does not meet the Requirements
JUDGING CRITERIA & PROCESS
6.1 Each entry will be judged by a panel of experts who are employees of the Organizer, Google, and registered members of the Google for Developers network (“Judges”).
6.2 Evaluation Phase: From approximately June 14, 2024 to June 31, 2024, each Entry will be evaluated by the Evaluation Jury based on the judging criteria. Out of all the initial entries, the Evaluation Jury will select the top five entries for each Track.
Judges will evaluate and attribute a score to each Entry made up of scores based upon the above-listed Judging Criteria. The top five Entries for each Track that receive the highest overall scores will be selected as Finalists to proceed to the Grand Finals.
Between July 1-15, 2024, the top five Finalists of each Track will be selected and notified by telephone and/or email at Organizer’s discretion. If a potential Finalist does not respond to the notification attempt within five days from the first notification attempt, and/or is unable to attend the Grand Finals in-person, then such a potential Finalist will be disqualified, and an alternate potential Finalist will be selected from among all eligible entries received based on the judging criteria described herein. With respect to notification by telephone, such notification will be deemed given when the potential winner engages in a live conversation with the Organizer or when a message is left on the potential winner’s voicemail service or answering machine by the Sponsor, whichever occurs first.
Except where prohibited by law, each potential winner may be required to sign and return a Declaration of Eligibility and Liability and Publicity Release and provide any additional information that may be required by the Organizer. If required, potential winners must return all such required documents within 21 days following attempted notification of such potential winner will be deemed to have forfeited the prize and another potential winner will be selected based on the judging criteria described herein. In the event the potential winner is a minor, their parent or legal guardian must sign the documents and return them as described herein. All notification requirements, as well as other requirements within these Rules, will be strictly enforced.
6.3 Grand Finals: A Grand Finals Jury will be assessing Finalists at a finale at the end of the Contest Period, and ranking the top five Finalists for each track based on their presentation and to nominate one Winner of each Track. The decisions made by the Grand Finals Jury will be announced on the day of the oral presentations by the Finalists.
Finalists are required to pitch at the Grand Finals in-person, and are responsible for ways of their means of doing so which includes, but are not limited to, flight and accommodation arrangements.
In the event that no entries are received, no prize will be awarded. Determinations of judges are final and binding.
PRIZES FOR CONTEST WINNERS
The Winner for each Track will receive:
- Cash Prize of 1,000,000 Pakistani Rupees
- Introductions to three Venture Capitalist firms by Google Cloud team and the Organiser
- Mentorship from Google Cloud management
The Winner for the People’s Choice Award will receive a Cash Prize of 250,000 Pakistani Rupees
7.1 Odds of winning any prize depend on the number of eligible entries received on or before June 14, 2024 11:59 p.m. (PT) and the skill of the entrants. The prize(s) will be awarded within approximately 10-12 weeks of receipt by the Organizer of final prize acceptance documents. No transfer, substitution, or cash equivalent for the prize(s) is allowed, except at Organizer’s sole discretion. The Organizer reserves the right to substitute a prize, in whole or in part, of equal or greater monetary value if a prize cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, as described for any reason. Value is subject to market conditions, which can fluctuate, and any difference between actual market value and ARV will not be awarded. The prize(s) may be subject to restrictions and/or licenses and may require additional hardware, software, service, or maintenance to use. The winner shall bear all responsibility for using the prize(s) in compliance with any conditions imposed by such manufacturer(s) and any additional costs associated with its use, service, or maintenance. Contest Entities have not made, and Contest Entities are not responsible in any manner for any warranties, representations, or guarantees, express or implied, in fact, or law, relating to the prize(s), regarding the use, value, or enjoyment of the prize(s), including, without limitation, its quality, mechanical condition, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose, with the exception of any standard manufacturer’s warranty that may apply to the prize(s) or any components thereto.
7.2 Money Prizes. Money prizes will be awarded in Pakistani Rupees and may be delivered in the form of cash, gift card, or other cash equivalent.
OTHER WINNERS - PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
One publicly voted favorite Finalist will be awarded. Anyone including participants, students, friends and/or family members of the Finalist and the audience of the Grand Finals of the Google Cloud Startup Competition Pakistan 2024 would be able to vote for their favorite entry from among the Finalists.
During the competition day, voters will be able to vote for a Finalist of choice on the contest website. Each voter is limited to one entry per person according to their email address. Subsequent entries will be disqualified.
The Finalist that receives the most votes from the public will be selected as the publicly voted favorite potential winner(s). The publicly voted favorite potential winner(s) will be announced on the day of the oral presentations by the Finalists and will receive an additional Cash Prize of 250,000 Pakistani rupees.
TAXES
PAYMENTS TO POTENTIAL WINNERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE EXPRESS REQUIREMENT THAT THEY SUBMIT TO THE ORGANIZER ALL DOCUMENTATION REQUESTED BY THE ORGANIZER TO PERMIT IT TO COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN (INCLUDING PROVINCIAL) TAX REPORTING AND WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENTS. ALL PRIZES WILL BE NET OF ANY TAXES THE ORGANIZER IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO WITHHOLD. ALL TAXES IMPOSED ON PRIZES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNERS. In order to receive a prize, potential winners must submit the tax documentation requested by the Organizer or otherwise required by applicable law, to the Organizer or the relevant tax authority, all as determined by applicable law including, where relevant, the law of the potential winner’s country of residence. The potential winner(s) are responsible for ensuring that they complies with all the applicable tax laws and filing requirements. If a potential winner fails to provide such documentation or comply with such laws, the prize may be forfeited and the Organizer may, in its sole discretion, select an alternative potential winner.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify any entrant from the Contest if, in the Organizer sole discretion, it reasonably believes that the entrant has attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices or annoys, abuses, threatens or harasses any other entrants, the Organizer, or the Judges.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
By submitting an Entry in this Contest, the entrant warrants and represents that they own or has the right to use the intellectual property in the Entry for the purpose of the Entry. Further, the entrant agrees that if any portion of the Entry should be deemed to be owned by the entrant that they will, as a condition of entry, grant the Organizer a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to use, reproduce, publicly perform, publicly display and create a derivative work from, any Entry that Participant submits solely for the purposes of allowing the Organizer to test and evaluate the Entry for purposes of the Contest and to advertise, display, demonstrate, or otherwise promote the Contest. The participant specifically agrees that the Organizer shall have the right to use, reproduce, publicly perform, and publicly display the Entry in connection with the advertising and promotion of the Contest via communication to the public or other groups, including, but not limited to the right to make screenshots, animations and video clips available for promotional purposes.
PRIVACY
Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Organizer may collect, store, share, and otherwise use personally identifiable information provided during the registration process and the Contest, including, but not limited to, name, mailing address, phone number, and email address. The Organizer will use this information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/), including for administering the Contest and verifying Participant’s identity, postal address, and telephone number in the event an entry qualifies for a prize.
Participant’s information may also be transferred to countries outside the country of Participant’s residence, including the United States. Such other countries may not have privacy laws and regulations similar to those of the country of Participant’s residence.
If a participant does not provide the mandatory data required at registration, the Organizer reserves the right to disqualify the Entry.
Participant has the right to request access, review, rectification or deletion of any personal data held by Organizer in connection with the Contest by writing to the Organizer at this email address: startupcompetition@techvalley.pk
PUBLICITY
By accepting a prize, the entrant agrees to Organizer and its agencies use of their name and/or likeness and Entry for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law.
Sign me up to receive news, product updates, sales outreach, event information and special offers from Tech Valley, Google and its partners. I understand my personal data will be processed in accordance with Tech Valley’s Privacy Policy.
WARRANTY, INDEMNITY AND RELEASE
Entrants warrant that their Entries are their own original work and, as such, they are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the submitted Entry and that they have the right to submit the Entry in the Contest and grant all required licenses. Each entrant agrees not to submit any Entry that (1) infringes any third-party proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, personal or moral rights or any other rights, including without limitation, copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, privacy, publicity or confidentiality obligations; or (2) otherwise violates the applicable state or federal law.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, each entrant indemnifies and agrees to keep indemnified Contest Entities at all times from and against any liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, and expenses resulting from any act, default, or omission of the entrant and/or a breach of any warranty set forth herein. To the maximum extent permitted by law, each entrant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any and all claims, actions, suits or proceedings, as well as any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) arising out of or accruing from (a) any Entry or other material uploaded or otherwise provided by the entrant that infringes any copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent or other intellectual property right of any person or defames any person or violates their rights of publicity or privacy, (b) any misrepresentation made by the entrant in connection with the Contest; (c) any non-compliance by the entrant with these Rules; (d) claims brought by persons or entities other than the parties to these Rules arising from or related to the entrant’s involvement with the Contest; and (e) acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any Contest-related activity or participation in this Contest.
Entrant releases Organizer from any liability associated with: (a) any malfunction or other problem with the Contest Site; (b) any error in the collection, processing, or retention of entry information; or (c) any typographical or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of any prize or winners.
ELIMINATION
Any false information provided within the context of the Contest by any entrant concerning identity, mailing address, telephone number, email address, ownership of right or non-compliance with these Rules or the like may result in the immediate elimination of the entrant from the Contest.
INTERNET
Contest Entities are not responsible for any malfunction of the entire Contest Site or any late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed Entries or entry materials due to system errors, failed, incomplete or garbled computer or other telecommunication transmission malfunctions, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, typographical or system/human errors and failures, technical malfunction(s) of any telephone network or lines, cable connections, satellite transmissions, servers or providers, or computer equipment, traffic congestion on the Internet or at the Contest Site, or any combination thereof, including other telecommunication, cable, digital or satellite malfunctions which may limit an entrant’s ability to participate.
RIGHT TO CANCEL, MODIFY OR DISQUALIFY
If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest, the Organizer reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. The Organizer further reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who tampers with the submission process or any other part of the Contest or Contest Site. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website, including the Contest Site, or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest is a violation of criminal, and civil laws and should such an attempt be made; the Organizer reserves the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent of the applicable law.
NOT AN OFFER OR CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT
Under no circumstances shall the submission of an entry into the Contest, the awarding of a prize, or anything in these Rules be construed as an offer or contract of employment with either the Organizer or the Contest Entities. You acknowledge that you have submitted your Entry voluntarily and not in confidence or in trust. You acknowledge that no confidential, fiduciary, agency or other relationship or implied-in-fact contract now exists between you and the Organizer or the Contest Entities and that no such relationship is established by your submission of an Entry under these Rules.
WINNER'S LIST
You may request a list of winners after August 1, 2024 but before April 1, 2025 by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Tech Valley Pvt. Ltd.
17, Main Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Road, I-8/3, Islamabad, Pakistan.