LEGAL NOTICE AND PLATFORM TERMS OF USE

The Phasegrowth platform is operated by Phasegrowth OÜ, registry code 16014205, with its registered address at Narva mnt 5, 10117 Tallinn, Estonia. Phasegrowth may be contacted at contact@phasegrowth.com.

Phasegrowth OÜ is referred to in these Terms as “Phasegrowth”, “we”, “us” or “our”.

The Platform is intended exclusively for companies, universities, research organisations, public bodies, non-governmental organisations, professional service providers and other entities acting for purposes related to their professional or organisational activities.

The Platform is not intended for private consumer use. Each individual registering or using an account confirms that they are at least eighteen years old and are acting in a professional capacity.

An individual registering on behalf of an organisation warrants that they are authorised to create or manage the organisation’s account and to accept these Terms on its behalf. The relevant organisation is responsible for the actions of its administrators, members, employees, contractors and other persons using the Platform through its account.

Where a person uses an organisation’s identity without authority, that person remains personally responsible for their conduct and for any resulting loss, claim or liability.

The Platform provides digital tools intended to assist organisations in identifying potentially relevant European Union funding opportunities, potential consortium partners, collaboration opportunities and organisations with related expertise.

The Platform may:

1. 1.verify access to a work email address;
2. 2.collect information from CORDIS, European Union funding sources, company websites and other publicly accessible sources;
3. 3.create a preliminary organisational profile using automated tools;
4. 4.allow authorised users to confirm, correct, supplement or remove profile information;
5. 5.classify organisations, projects and funding opportunities using sectors, ecosystems, technologies, expertise areas and other tags;
6. 6.suggest potentially relevant funding calls, organisations or collaboration opportunities;
7. 7.provide automatically generated explanations of why a match may be relevant;
8. 8.display organisational profiles and selected profile information to other Platform users or publicly, where indicated;
9. 9.allow organisations to invite team members, express interest in potential partners or communicate with other users; and
10. 10.send account, security, invitation and matchmaking notifications.

The Platform is an information, discovery and matchmaking service. Phasegrowth does not act as a funding authority, project coordinator, legal adviser, financial adviser, broker, agent, representative or guarantor of any user.

Registration normally requires a professional email address associated with an organisation. Phasegrowth may reject free, disposable, temporary, anonymous or otherwise unsuitable email addresses.

Email-domain verification establishes only that the user has access to the relevant email account. It does not independently establish the user’s position, authority, professional competence, legal capacity or entitlement to bind the organisation.

Users must provide accurate registration information and keep their account information current. Users must not share login credentials, permit unauthorised access or use another person’s account.

The organisation’s administrator is responsible for approving team members, managing access rights and removing access when a person leaves the organisation or no longer requires access.

Users must notify Phasegrowth promptly if they suspect unauthorised access, compromised credentials, identity misuse or another security incident involving their account.

Phasegrowth may create an initial organisation profile from CORDIS records, the organisation’s website, public directories, information supplied during registration and other lawfully accessible sources.

Automatically collected or generated information may be incomplete, outdated, incorrectly attributed or otherwise inaccurate. Each organisation is responsible for reviewing its profile before publication and for correcting misleading, inaccurate or outdated information.

An organisation must not claim projects, technologies, employees, customers, intellectual property, accreditations, funding history, partnerships or other experience that it does not possess or is not authorised to disclose.

The organisation must maintain its profile in a sufficiently accurate and current form so that it does not materially mislead other users.

Phasegrowth may request clarification or supporting evidence where information appears inconsistent, misleading or disputed. Phasegrowth is not required to conduct a comprehensive legal, financial, technical or operational investigation of every organisation.

“User Content” means any profile information, description, project information, listing, message, feedback, document, image, logo, link, comment or other material submitted, published or transmitted by a user through the Platform.

The user and the represented organisation retain ownership of their User Content. By submitting User Content, they grant Phasegrowth a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, store, reproduce, process, translate, classify, analyse, display and communicate that content to the extent necessary to operate, secure, improve and provide the Platform.

This licence continues for as long as the content remains on the Platform and for a reasonable period afterwards where retention is required for backups, security, dispute resolution or compliance with law.

The user warrants that:

1. 1.the User Content is accurate to the best of the user’s knowledge;
2. 2.the user has all necessary rights and permissions to submit and publish it;
3. 3.its use by Phasegrowth in accordance with these Terms does not infringe intellectual-property, confidentiality, privacy, data-protection or other third-party rights;
4. 4.it does not contain unlawful, fraudulent, defamatory, discriminatory, threatening or misleading material; and
5. 5.it does not contain confidential information that the user is not authorised to disclose.

Users must not upload sensitive commercial, technical or proposal information unless the relevant Platform function expressly supports confidential processing and the user has verified the applicable access conditions.

The Platform may use or refer to information made available through CORDIS, the European Commission Funding and Tenders Portal, public websites, public registers, public directories and other third-party sources.

Phasegrowth does not control these sources and cannot guarantee that their content is complete, correct, current or continuously available. Information originating from a third-party source may remain subject to the source’s own rights, notices and conditions.

References to European Union institutions, programmes, portals, funding calls or datasets do not imply that Phasegrowth is affiliated with, endorsed by, certified by or acting on behalf of the European Union, the European Commission or any funding authority.

Users must verify funding-call conditions, eligibility requirements, budgets, deadlines, documentation and submission procedures directly through the relevant official source before taking action.

The Platform may use automated analytical systems, language models, classification tools, embeddings, similarity calculations and other computational methods to prepare profiles, classify information and generate matchmaking suggestions.

Matches are probabilistic recommendations based on available information. They are not findings that an organisation is eligible for funding, suitable for a consortium, technically competent, financially reliable or legally compliant.

A high match ranking does not constitute an endorsement, certification or recommendation by Phasegrowth. A low ranking or absence of a match does not establish that an organisation or opportunity is unsuitable.

Users remain solely responsible for evaluating every funding opportunity, potential partner, communication and proposed collaboration. Appropriate legal, financial, technical, ethical, security and reputational due diligence must be completed independently.

Phasegrowth is not responsible for decisions made in reliance on an automatically generated profile, tag, score, explanation, recommendation or match.

The Platform may display an EU Experience Verified badge where information in CORDIS indicates that an organisation has participated in a funded European Union project and the available organisational and domain information satisfies Phasegrowth’s applicable matching criteria.

The badge indicates only the specific evidence described above. It does not confirm the organisation’s current legal status, solvency, professional competence, ownership, authority, cybersecurity, ethical conduct, performance quality or suitability for a particular collaboration.

Internal confidence scores may be used to determine whether an account can be activated automatically or requires administrative review. Unless expressly stated otherwise, these scores are internal operational indicators and are not public ratings.

Phasegrowth may grant, refuse, suspend or remove a badge where the underlying information is incomplete, disputed, outdated, incorrectly attributed or no longer satisfies the applicable criteria.

No subscription, payment or commercial arrangement entitles an organisation to receive or retain a verification or trust badge.

Users may use the Platform only for lawful professional activities connected with research, innovation, funding, technology development, consortium formation, business collaboration or other purposes expressly supported by the Platform.

Users must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, sanctions, intellectual-property rights, confidentiality duties, competition rules, anti-corruption requirements, data-protection obligations and professional standards.

Users must not use the Platform to:

1. 1.commit, facilitate, promote or conceal unlawful activity;
2. 2.impersonate another person or organisation or falsely claim authority to represent an organisation;
3. 3.create false, misleading, duplicate or deceptive accounts or profiles;
4. 4.fabricate project experience, funding history, technical capabilities, customer relationships, certifications, personnel or consortium participation;
5. 5.conduct fraud, phishing, identity theft, money laundering, bribery, corruption or sanctions evasion;
6. 6.coordinate bid-rigging, unlawful market allocation, anti-competitive information exchange or other prohibited collusion;
7. 7.manipulate funding applications, conceal conflicts of interest or misrepresent eligibility to a funding authority or consortium partner;
8. 8.publish or transmit defamatory, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, obscene or otherwise unlawful content;
9. 9.infringe copyright, trademarks, database rights, trade secrets, privacy rights or other rights of Phasegrowth or any third party;
10. 10.disclose another person’s personal data, confidential information or proposal material without a lawful basis and appropriate authority;
11. 11.distribute malware, malicious code, ransomware, spyware or harmful links;
12. 12.interfere with the Platform’s security, integrity, availability, authentication or access controls;
13. 13.probe, scan, test or exploit a vulnerability without Phasegrowth’s prior written permission;
14. 14.scrape, crawl, harvest, copy or systematically extract Platform content or user data except through an expressly authorised interface;
15. 15.reverse engineer, decompile, reproduce or attempt to derive the source code, models, matching logic or protected technical components of the Platform, except where such restriction is prohibited by mandatory law;
16. 16.circumvent account restrictions, usage limits, security measures, subscription conditions or moderation decisions;
17. 17.send unsolicited bulk communications, spam or repetitive commercial approaches;
18. 18.artificially manipulate feedback, ratings, badges, recommendations or visibility through collusion, coordinated accounts or automated activity;
19. 19.use information obtained through the Platform to harass, discriminate against or unlawfully monitor another person or organisation; or
20. 20.use the Platform in a manner that creates unreasonable legal, security, operational or reputational risk for Phasegrowth or other users.

Users communicate and collaborate with each other independently. Phasegrowth is not a party to any discussion, non-disclosure agreement, consortium agreement, funding application, commercial contract, employment arrangement, investment, payment or other relationship formed between users.

Each user is responsible for determining the identity, authority, integrity and suitability of every person or organisation with whom they communicate.

Phasegrowth does not guarantee that another user will respond, enter into a collaboration, perform an obligation, maintain confidentiality, submit a proposal, obtain funding or make any payment.

Any contract or confidentiality arrangement required between users must be concluded separately by those users.

A user or third party may report content or conduct believed to be illegal or contrary to these Terms by using the Platform’s reporting function or by contacting contact@phasegrowth.com.

A report should identify the relevant content, profile, account or communication; provide its exact location where possible; explain why it is considered illegal or contrary to these Terms; identify the applicable legal or contractual basis where reasonably possible; and provide the reporting person’s name and contact details.

Reports must be submitted in good faith. Knowingly false, abusive or manipulative reports are prohibited.

Phasegrowth may request additional information where this is necessary to assess the report. Phasegrowth may remove or restrict access to content, suspend functionality, preserve relevant evidence, issue a warning or suspend or terminate an account where reasonably necessary.

Where required by applicable law, Phasegrowth will provide an affected user with a statement of reasons for a restriction and an opportunity to request review of the decision.

Phasegrowth may use automated indicators, manual review, user reports, security monitoring and other proportionate measures to identify potential violations.

Phasegrowth may immediately restrict or suspend access where it reasonably believes that an account or activity:

1. 1.is unlawful or fraudulent;
2. 2.presents a security threat;
3. 3.infringes third-party rights;
4. 4.materially misleads other users;
5. 5.exposes Phasegrowth or another person to legal or regulatory risk;
6. 6.interferes with Platform operation;
7. 7.involves repeated or serious violations of these Terms; or
8. 8.requires restriction under an order issued by a competent authority.

Where circumstances permit, Phasegrowth may give the user an opportunity to correct the violation before termination. Immediate action may be taken where necessary to prevent harm, preserve evidence, protect users or comply with law.

An organisation may discontinue use of the Platform and request closure of its account, subject to outstanding payment obligations, legal retention requirements and the resolution of pending disputes.

Provisions concerning intellectual property, liability, indemnification, dispute resolution and other provisions which by their nature should survive termination will remain effective after account closure.

The Platform, including its software, design, databases, interfaces, selection and arrangement of content, matching processes, classifications, documentation, trademarks and original materials, is owned by or licensed to Phasegrowth and is protected by applicable intellectual-property law.

Subject to these Terms, Phasegrowth grants each authorised user a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable and revocable right to access and use the Platform for the organisation’s internal professional purposes.

No user acquires ownership of the Platform, its source code, databases, analytical systems, matching logic, branding or documentation.

The Phasegrowth name, logo and associated marks may not be used without prior written permission.

Phasegrowth processes personal data in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable data-protection law.

Users must not submit personal data unless it is relevant, proportionate and lawful for the intended Platform function. Users must not upload special-category personal data, criminal-record information or sensitive personal information unless Phasegrowth has expressly approved the relevant use case and appropriate legal and security measures are in place.

Each organisation is independently responsible for ensuring that personal data submitted by its users has been collected and disclosed lawfully and that affected individuals have received any required information.

These Terms do not replace the Platform Privacy Policy or Cookie Policy.

Phasegrowth may modify, test, improve, suspend or discontinue Platform functions. Features described as experimental, beta, pilot or minimum viable product functions may contain errors or change without notice.

Phasegrowth will use reasonable efforts to maintain the Platform but does not guarantee uninterrupted, secure or error-free availability.

Access may be interrupted for maintenance, updates, security incidents, provider failures, internet disruption, force majeure, legal requirements or circumstances outside Phasegrowth’s reasonable control.

Phasegrowth may introduce paid plans, usage limits or additional contractual conditions. Applicable prices and plan conditions will be presented before a user enters into a paid subscription.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Platform is provided on an “as available” basis.

Phasegrowth does not warrant that:

1. 1.Platform information is complete, accurate or current;
2. 2.any user is genuine, solvent, authorised, competent or trustworthy;
3. 3.a funding call, partner or opportunity is suitable for a particular organisation;
4. 4.an organisation satisfies eligibility or consortium requirements;
5. 5.a match will result in communication, collaboration, funding or commercial success;
6. 6.a verification badge establishes anything beyond the expressly stated verification criteria;
7. 7.Platform use will satisfy a user’s legal, regulatory, contractual, technical or professional requirements; or
8. 8.errors, interruptions or security incidents will never occur.

Platform information is not legal, financial, investment, tax, accounting, cybersecurity or funding advice. Users must obtain appropriate professional advice where required.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Phasegrowth is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive or special loss, loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of opportunity, loss of funding, loss of anticipated savings, loss of goodwill, loss of data or business interruption arising from or connected with the Platform.

Phasegrowth is not liable for the conduct, content, statements, omissions, contractual breaches or illegal activities of users or third parties.

Phasegrowth is not liable for decisions made by a user in reliance on a profile, badge, match, score, recommendation, explanation, funding-call record, third-party source or communication received through the Platform.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Phasegrowth’s aggregate liability arising from or connected with the Platform during any twelve-month period will not exceed the total fees paid by the relevant organisation to Phasegrowth for Platform access during that period or EUR 100 where no fee was paid.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including liability arising from Phasegrowth’s intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each organisation agrees to compensate, indemnify and hold harmless Phasegrowth, its management-board members, employees, contractors and service providers against claims, proceedings, investigations, liabilities, damages, penalties, losses and reasonable professional costs arising from or connected with:

1. 1.the organisation’s or its users’ use of the Platform;
2. 2.a breach of these Terms;
3. 3.unlawful, fraudulent, misleading or unauthorised conduct by the organisation or its users;
4. 4.User Content submitted, published or transmitted through the organisation’s account;
5. 5.infringement of intellectual-property, confidentiality, privacy, data-protection or other third-party rights;
6. 6.misrepresentation of an organisation’s identity, authority, funding history, experience, capabilities or relationships;
7. 7.communications, agreements, funding applications, projects, payments or disputes between the organisation and another user;
8. 8.use of Platform information in violation of law, sanctions, competition rules or funding requirements;
9. 9.unauthorised access resulting from the organisation’s failure to protect its accounts or credentials; or
10. 10.a claim by an employee, contractor, partner, customer, authority or other third party resulting from the organisation’s conduct.

A user acting without authority, outside the scope of their organisation or for an unlawful personal purpose is personally responsible for the resulting claims and losses and must indemnify Phasegrowth to the same extent.

This indemnity does not apply to the extent that a final binding decision determines that the relevant loss resulted directly from Phasegrowth’s intentional misconduct or gross negligence.

Phasegrowth will notify the indemnifying party of a material third-party claim within a reasonable period. No settlement that imposes an admission, obligation or restriction on Phasegrowth may be concluded without Phasegrowth’s prior written consent.

Phasegrowth may preserve and disclose information where reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, a binding order, a lawful request from a competent authority, the establishment or defence of legal claims, the prevention of fraud or the protection of the rights and safety of Phasegrowth, its users or third parties.

Phasegrowth may cooperate with law-enforcement, regulatory, judicial, funding and cybersecurity authorities concerning suspected illegal activity.

Phasegrowth may amend these Terms where required by changes to the Platform, applicable law, security requirements, business arrangements or regulatory guidance.

Material amendments will be communicated through the Platform, by email or by another reasonable method before they take effect, except where immediate changes are required by law or to address an urgent security or abuse risk.

Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of amended Terms constitutes acceptance of the amended Terms.

These Terms and any non-contractual obligations arising from or connected with them are governed by the laws of the Republic of Estonia.

Any dispute that cannot be resolved through good-faith negotiations will be submitted to the competent courts of the Republic of Estonia, with Harju County Court as the agreed court of first instance, unless mandatory law requires otherwise.

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect. The invalid provision will be interpreted or replaced to the minimum extent necessary to achieve its intended lawful commercial purpose.

A failure by Phasegrowth to enforce a provision does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

The user may not assign an account or rights under these Terms without Phasegrowth’s prior written consent. Phasegrowth may assign its rights and obligations as part of a restructuring, transfer of the Platform, merger or sale of business, subject to applicable law.

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, applicable subscription conditions and any expressly incorporated service agreement, constitute the entire agreement governing use of the Platform.

The English version of these Terms prevails over any translation, unless mandatory law provides otherwise.

Questions concerning these Terms, legal notices, Platform misuse or requests for review of a moderation decision should be sent to: