Terms of Service

01Agreement to these terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the HackMeridian website (the "Site") and your participation in the HackMeridian 2026 hackathon (the "Event"). By using the Site, applying, or participating, you agree to these Terms and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site or take part in the Event.

02Who we are

HackMeridian is organized by Grow with Guava LLC ("Guava", "we", "us", or "our"). The Event takes place in Lisbon, Portugal, on 25–26 October 2026. HackMeridian is run within the Stellar ecosystem; Stellar Development Foundation, EasyA, and event partners are separate organizations and are not parties to these Terms unless expressly stated.

03Eligibility

To apply or participate, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, if higher).
• Be legally able to enter into these Terms.
• Comply with all applicable laws, and any additional eligibility rules we publish for the Event.

Acceptance to the Event is at our discretion and may be subject to capacity, review, and verification. Registration does not guarantee admission, and we may decline or revoke participation where these Terms or the code of conduct are not met.

04Applications & registration

Applications and registration are handled through our registration provider, Bizzabo. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information and to keep it up to date. You are responsible for the security of any account or confirmation credentials you receive. Your use of the registration platform is also subject to that provider's terms and privacy policy.

05Participation & code of conduct

HackMeridian is a collaborative, inclusive event. By participating, you agree to behave professionally and respectfully and to follow all Event rules, schedules, venue requirements, and instructions from organizers and staff. You must not:

• Harass, discriminate against, threaten, or demean any participant, mentor, judge, staff member, or partner.
• Engage in illegal activity, damage property, or endanger the safety of others.
• Cheat, plagiarize, or misrepresent your work, identity, or eligibility.
• Disrupt the Event, its systems, or other participants' ability to take part.

We may remove any participant who violates these Terms or the code of conduct, without refund of any costs you may have incurred.

06Your submissions & intellectual property

You own what you build. As between you and us, you and your team retain all intellectual property rights in the projects, code, designs, and other materials you create for the Event ("Submissions"), subject to any third-party or open-source licenses that apply to components you use.

License to us. You grant Guava and its Event partners a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to record, display, reproduce, and share your Submission, team name, and project description for the purpose of operating, judging, and promoting the Event and future editions (for example, on the Site, social media, and recap materials).

Your representations. You represent that your Submission is your original work (or properly licensed), does not infringe any third party's rights, and does not contain unlawful, confidential, or malicious content. You are responsible for protecting any ideas you are not comfortable disclosing publicly.

07Prizes, judging & travel support

Any prizes, awards, judging criteria, and travel-support arrangements will be described in Event-specific rules or communications, which form part of these Terms. Judging decisions are final. Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash unless we state otherwise, and you are responsible for any taxes or fees associated with a prize. Travel support, where offered, is limited, discretionary, and subject to availability and eligibility. We may substitute a prize of equal or greater value where necessary.

08Media & photography

The Event may be photographed, filmed, or recorded. By attending, you grant us and our Event partners permission to capture and use your likeness, voice, and statements in Event-related media and promotion, without additional compensation, to the extent permitted by law. If you have concerns about the use of your likeness, contact us using the details below.

09Acceptable use of the Site

When using the Site, you agree not to:

• Use it for any unlawful, fraudulent, or harmful purpose.
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to, disrupt, or overload the Site or its systems.
• Scrape, copy, or reproduce the Site's content except as permitted by these Terms.
• Introduce malware or interfere with the Site's security or availability.

10Our intellectual property

The Site and its content — including text, graphics, logos, the "HackMeridian" name, design, and layout — are owned by us or our licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Site for its intended purpose. All rights not expressly granted are reserved. Third-party marks (including Stellar) belong to their respective owners.

11Third-party services & links

The Site uses and links to third-party services, including hosting (Vercel), registration (Bizzabo), and translation (Transifex), and may link to partner sites. We do not control and are not responsible for third-party services or their content, and your use of them is governed by their own terms and policies.

12Disclaimers

The Site and the Event are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including implied 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 the Event will proceed as scheduled. Any advice, mentorship, or materials provided at the Event are for general informational purposes and are not professional, legal, financial, or investment advice.

13Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Guava and its officers, employees, partners, and agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits, data, goodwill, or opportunity, arising out of or relating to your use of the Site or participation in the Event. To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total aggregate liability for any claim relating to the Site or the Event will not exceed the greater of the amount you paid us (if any) to participate or USD 100. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot be excluded under applicable law.

14Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Guava and its partners from any claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your Submission, your conduct at the Event, your use of the Site, or your breach of these Terms or of any third-party rights.

15Changes to the event or terms

We may modify, postpone, or cancel the Event, and may update these Terms, at any time. When we change these Terms, we will revise the "Last updated" date above and, for material changes, provide additional notice where appropriate. Your continued use of the Site or participation in the Event after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

16Governing law & disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. You agree that the state and federal courts located in Delaware will have exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Site, or the Event, and you consent to their jurisdiction. If any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

17Contact us

Questions about these Terms? Get in touch: