Entrant Application and Agreement Form

All entrants must read and abide by the Rules, Regulations, and Policies of the DNVC, as well as the Certification at the end of this application.  Signing the Agreement Form is also required of all entrants.

By submitting this application, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions in the following statement, and to the full Rules, Regulations and Policies of the Duquesne New Venture Challenge (DNVC). Please read carefully before submitting your Entrant Application and signing the required Agreement Form.

As a condition of entering the Duquesne New Venture Challenge (DNVC), I hereby authorize Duquesne University to record (via audio, video, photograph and/or other digital methods) my likeness, voice, sounds, biographical material, submission material, and participation during events associated with the Duquesne New venture Challenge. In addition, I allow Duquesne University to exhibit or distribute any such recordings in whole or in part without restrictions or limitation for any educational or promotional purposes that Duquesne University, and those acting pursuant to its authority, deem appropriate. Finally, I hereby release the judges of the DNVC, as well as Duquesne University (including its officers, employees, agents, and trustees) from liability for any loss, damages or injury arising from the Competition.

All of the work in conjunction with this entry is the original work of the entrant(s).

If this application involves a registered business entity, then by the Stage I submission deadline, I (we) certify that the venture has not been in existence for more than 4-years as a legal entity (e.g., a corporation, partnership, or LLC) to support the products or services entered in the DNVC.

The business enterprise corresponding to this entry is legally registered and/or is fully compliant with local, state and federal laws.

The business enterprise corresponding to this entry does not require a liquor license to be legal, and its primary purpose is not the promotion or sale of alcohol, or other substances subject to state or federal regulations. Substances that the university would find problematic.

The business enterprise corresponding to this entry is a start-up (e.g., does not involve purchasing an existing venture, including business opportunities and franchises).

The business enterprise corresponding to this entry does not involve pyramid-based marketing.

The business enterprise corresponding to this entry does not violate the values and mission of Duquesne University as a Catholic, Spiritan institution of higher education.

By entering the DNVC, all team members acknowledge that funds awarded by the competition are intended for purposes of funding the business concept entered.

By entering the DNVC, all team members acknowledge that they must conform to the technology specifications detailed by the competition for the submission of competition materials (e.g., PowerPoint deck, pitch videos, submission documents, business plan). Further, while the DNVC will strive to ensure proper technology functioning throughout the competition, we do not guarantee it.

By entering the DNVC, all team members acknowledge that they will abide by, and execute, the Makerspace (Bob’s Launch Pad) Access and Safety Policy Agreement Form.

Each team member, for themself and any teammates, do hereby jointly and severally release and hold harmless the DNVC, Duquesne University, Selection Committee, Judges, other DNVC participants, those providing prizes, products or services for the DNVC, those persons or entities rendering professional advice to the contestants (such as attorneys, bankers, accountants, advertisers, marketers, and other consultants) who have donated their time and services for the DNVC, together with each of the foregoing’s respective affiliates, employers, employees, directors, officers, representatives, volunteers, members, or agents (collectively, “DNVC Officials”), in each case from and against any and all decisions, claims, liability, or expense related to or arising from the team’s entry or participation in the DNVC and the team’s implementing its business plan (as the same may be altered or amended from time to time) submitted for the DNVC.

All team members acknowledge and agree that developing or submitting a business plan and otherwise participating in the DNVC, together with any advice, feedback or other commentary that the team may receive regarding his business plan, in no way validates or guarantees the business plan’s viability, probability of success, ability to attract investment or financing, or profitability, and that implementing such business plan involves substantial risk of loss to team members and others who may invest, finance or otherwise participate in any implementation of the business plan.

Neither judges nor any DNVC officials are required to disclose any information to team members regarding the scoring of the final submission of business plans. All judges’ decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Confidentiality is not guaranteed in any way. It is not possible for Duquesne University to enforce a prohibition on other competitors, audience members, or judges who see and hear a pitch of team materials from sharing the idea and/or materials. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) between a competitor and the judges and/or audience members will not be required or allowed. Teams may exclude any proprietary information or materials that team members feel is at risk of disclosure. Sharing your idea or concept may be deemed a public disclosure, so if you are interested in filing a patent, you may need to consult with a patent attorney before entering the DNVC. Duquesne University is not responsible for any confidentiality issues that may occur during the course of the competition and will not be involved in any way with disputes arising thereafter.

Each of the undersigned’s signatures below constitutes consent and agreement, to these Terms and Conditions of entry and participation in the DNVC and to the other agreements and representations set forth in this Entry Application. By signing, I represent and warrant that all information that I have or will submit to the DNVC is true and correct in all material respects.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Rules, Regulations and Policies of the Duquesne New Venture Challenge, which are attached hereto and incorporated by reference.