The Founders of the Future Challenge Official Rules

 

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

Introduction

The Founders of the Future Challenge (the “Challenge”) is an initiative of Karen Harvey Consulting Services Inc. (the “Sponsor”) and is intended to provide recognition to individuals, teams of individuals, and corporations (collectively, “Contestants”) for solving a problem or creating a new market in the fashion, retail or design arenas. The Challenge is a key aspect of Fashion Tech Forum (“FTF”) and will result in the presentation of the first Karen Harvey Founders of the Future Award. This award is presented to the winning team that presents the most compelling early-stage brand or business. The Finalists will be selected by a committee of industry experts and the winning team will be awarded $50,000 to be used to further their business. The winner will also receive mentoring from highly successful leaders from technology, fashion, retail, design, media and finance for six weeks following the Challenge.

  1. Eligibility

The Challenge is open only to: 1) individuals that are 18 or older that are legally residing in the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia); and 2) corporations or organizations that are domiciled in the United States, and have been in business for less than three years. Entries being submitted by teams of individuals must not have more than fifteen (15) individuals on the team. Individuals submitting on behalf of teams and corporations must meet the eligibility requirements for individual Contestants. An individual may not join more than one team, or corporation. Void where prohibited by law. Employees of Sponsor and its immediate family (spouse, parents and step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, and children and step-children) and household members (people who share the same residence at least three (3) months out of the year) of each such employee are not eligible. The Challenge is subject to all applicable United States federal, state and local laws and regulations. Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Sponsor’s decisions, which are final and binding on all matters related to the Challenge. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

  1. Timing

The Challenge starts on April 1, 2015 at approximately 12:00 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends on May 17, 2015 at 11:59 PM ET (the “Challenge Submission Period”).

  1. Entry Process

 

  1. Application Phase

During the Challenge Submission Period, complete an application at www.fashiontechforum.com (the “Challenge Website”). Applying is free. Instructions on how to apply are stated on Challenge Website. You must fully provide all information stated on the Challenge Website to have a valid submission (a “Submission”). During the application phase, the Sponsor, or its representative, may contact Contestants to conduct interviews to find out more about a Contestant and the Contestant’s Submission. Once a Submission has been made, it cannot be modified in any way without the consent of the Sponsor which may be withheld for any reason.

Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same email address. Any attempt by any Contestant to obtain more than the stated number of Submissions by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, or any other methods will void that entrant’s Submissions and that entrant may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, invalid, unintelligible or misdirected Submissions, which will be disqualified. In the event of a dispute as to any entrant, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the entrant. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of Sponsor and will not be returned.

  1. Submission Requirements
  • Submissions must be the original work of the Contestant.
  • Submission must demonstrate proof of concept through prototype, physical product, creative materials or consumer engagement.
  • By submitting a business idea, the Contestant represents and warrants to the Sponsor that the Contestant has all right, title and/or interest in the business idea submitted and the Submission is accurate and complete.
  • Contestants must disclose any funding already received at the time of completing the application.

Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Submission that, in the sole judgment of the Sponsor, violates the letter or spirit of the Challenge. All Submissions, must not contain any information that: (i) is in violation of any applicable laws, rules or regulations or that would otherwise give rise to liability; (ii) is derogatory, offensive, abusive, violent, threatening, defamatory, disparaging, libelous, inappropriate, indecent, obscene, pornographic, sexual, profane, tortuous, slanderous, discriminatory in any way, depicts anyone engaged in any illegal, immoral or lewd act, constitutes or encourages a criminal offense, promotes hatred or harm against any group or person or is otherwise objectionable, or otherwise does not comply with the theme and spirit of the Challenge, in each case, as determined in the sole judgment of the Sponsor; (iii) infringes or violates any copyright, patent, trademark, trade secret or rights of publicity or privacy, or misappropriate any proprietary right, of any third party, or otherwise indicates a sponsorship or endorsement by a third party; (iv) is the subject of any actual or threatened litigation or claim; and/or (v) disparages the Sponsor, their products and/or services or any other person or entity. All decisions by Sponsor are final and binding.

  1. Categories

Submission must be in one or more of the following categories within the fashion/technology arena:

  • Brand
  • Product
  • E-Commerce
  • Retail
  • Mobile
  • Digital Media
  • Enterprise Software for fashion, retail or e-commerce
  1. Terms of Submission

By making a Submission the Contestant represents and warrants that: (i) no person, other than the Contestant has any right, title or interest in any part of the Submission; (ii) the Submission will not infringe or violate any rights of any third party or entity, including, without limitation, trade secret, copyright and trademark, defamation, privacy and publicity, false light, idea misappropriation or any contractual rights; (iii) you have all the rights, licenses, permissions and consents necessary to submit the Submission in accordance with these official rules. The Contestant understands that Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify or refuse to post any Submission at any time for any reason at their sole discretion.

  1. Grant of Rights in Submission
  • The identities of the Contestants and the short description of the business disclosed in the application, as well as any pitch delivered during any Fashion Tech Forum event, is considered public domain and the Contestant gives the Sponsor the worldwide, irrevocable and unrestricted right and license to adapt, publish, use, edit, and/or modify such material in any way the Contestant and agrees to indemnify and hold Sponsor harmless from any claims to the contrary.
  • Before making a Submission, the Sponsor urges Contestants to confirm with appropriate advisors or legal counsel that any intellectual property described in their Submission is protected; i.e., by appropriate intellectual property filings, notices, (patent, copyright, etc) by the owning team and/or individual(s).
  • For any doubts about the legal status of a Contestants’ own or third party intellectual property or any other aspect of their plan, the Sponsor advises to seek independent legal counsel.

 

  1. Winner Selection and Judging Criteria

Submissions will initially be screened by a qualified internal panel selected by the Sponsor at its sole discretion. Sponsor, along with the judges from fashion, retail, technology and investment (the “Judges”) will review Submissions and any other materials provided by the Contestants and will and score each Submission using the following judging criteria:

  1. The Team: Who they are and what have they accomplished prior to this startup?
  2. Inspiration: What drove this team to begin their startup and do they have the inner fortitude to execute and scale?
  3. Innovation: Is this product or concept truly innovative and predictive of the future of fashion, retail and technology?
  4. Design: Is the concept original and designed with a high taste level?
  5. Overall Impact: Will this be disruptive?
  6. Business Viability: Does the company solve a problem through the intersection of fashion, retail and technology, and can it scale?

(Collectively, the “Judging Criteria”)

The ten (10) best Submissions, at the Sponsor’s sole discretion, will be semi-finalists (the “Semi-Finalists”).

Ten (10) Semi-Finalists Announced

On or about May 22, 2015 the Sponsor will announce the Semi-Finalists.

Interviews of Semi-Finalists

Between May 22, 2015 and May 28, 2015, the Sponsor and Judges will interview each Semi-Finalist. During the interview Semi-Finalists will be asked questions related to their Submission and will be asked to provide a product demonstration. The exact day and time of the interview will be determined by the Sponsor’s in its sole discretion. If a Semi-Finalist is not able to make the interview on the day and time required by the Sponsor, the Semi-Finalist will be disqualified at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. The interview will take place either via Skype, Google Hangouts or if possible in person in New York City at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. If the interview takes place in New York City no transportation / compensation will be provided. Semi-Finalists who are interviewed via online video conferencing will not be disadvantaged compared to Semi-Finalists who are interviewed in person. Sponsor and Judges will review Submissions and interview results and score using the Judging Criteria. The three (3) highest scoring Semi-Finalists, at the Sponsor’s sole discretion will be finalists (the “Finalists”).

Three (3) Finalists Announced

On or about May 28, 2015 the Sponsor will announce the Finalists.

Storytelling Training for Finalists

Between May 28, 2015 and June 10, 2015 the Finalist will complete Storytelling Training conducted by Karen Harvey and Tara Jepson. During the Storytelling Training the Finalists will prepare for the presentation at the FTF. The exact day(s) and time(s) of the Storytelling Training will be determined by the Sponsor’s in its sole discretion. If a Finalist is not able to make the Storytelling Training on the day(s) and time(s) required by the Sponsor, the Finalist will be disqualified at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. The Storytelling Training will take place either via Skype, Google Hangouts or if possible in person in New York City at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. If the Storytelling Training takes place in New York City no transportation / compensation will be provided. Finalists who receive the Storytelling Training online video conferencing will not be disadvantaged compared to Finalists who receive the Storytelling Training in person.

Finalists Present at Fashion Tech Forum

The Finalists will be required attend the Fashion Tech Forum on June 11, 2015 in New York City. At the Fashion Tech Forum each Finalist will separately be involved in a 30-minute session where the Finalist will be given ten (10) minutes to present, followed by twenty (20) minutes of live feedback from the Judges. The Finalists will also be required to participate in media and press opportunities related to the Challenge. This includes but is not limited to providing a 150-200 word description that will be made available and may be released publicly, either in part or in its entirety. The Sponsor must approve all presentation materials prior to the Fashion Tech Forum pitch. Unapproved materials or props are prohibited and Finalist will be automatically disqualified from the Challenge. All individuals who are part of the Finalists’ Submission are required to attend the Fashion Tech Forum. If a Finalist, or part of a Finalist’s team, is not able to make it to the Fashion Tech Forum, the Finalist will be disqualified, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion. The best presentation at the Fashion Tech Forum, as determined by the Sponsor and Judges in their sole discretion, will win the Founders of the Future Award (the “Grand Prize Winner”).

Sponsor reserve the right to substitute or modify the judging panel at any time for any reason. Judges have the right to withdrawal without advance notice in the event of extenuating circumstances beyond their control. Judges will be fair and impartial. A Judge may elect to recuse him or herself from judging a Submission, if in the judge’s sole discretion it is not appropriate for him or her to judge that particular Submission because of a past or current relationship with that particular Contestant. A Submission will not be at a disadvantage if one or more judge recuses himself or herself. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible Submissions received and the quality of the Submissions. In the event of a tie at any phase, an additional judge acting as a tiebreaker will re-judge the Submissions involved in the tie and select the Semi-Finalist, Finalist and/or Grand Prize Winner based on the same criteria. Decisions of the Judges and Sponsor are final and binding on all matters related to the Challenge.

 

  1. Verification of Potential Winners

ALL POTENTIAL CHALLENGE SEMI-FINALISTS, FINALISTS AND THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION BY SPONSOR WHOSE DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE CHALLENGE. Potential Semi-Finalists, Finalists and the Grand Prize Winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules. The potential Semi-Finalists, Finalists and the Grand Prize Winner will be required to sign and return to Sponsor, within two (2) days of the date notice is sent, an affidavit of eligibility, and liability/publicity release (except where prohibited).

If a potential Semi-Finalist or Finalist cannot be contacted, fails to sign and return the affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release within the required time period (if applicable), or if any notification is returned as undeliverable, potential Semi-Finalist or Finalist forfeits its status as a Semi-Finalist or Finalist. In the event that a potential Semi-Finalist or Finalist is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable status as a Semi-Finalist or Finalist to an alternate entrant who had the highest score remaining of the eligible entries.

  1. Prizes
  • Finalists Prize. Three (3) Finalists prizes will be awarded. Each Finalist will receive $1,100 as compensation to get to the Fashion Tech Forum in New York City on June 11, 2015. Sponsor will only provide up to $1,100 per Finalist and will not be responsible for other costs associated with winner getting to Fashion Tech Forum. Approximate retail value of each Finalist’s prize is $1,100.
  • Founders of the Future Award (Grand Prize). One (1) Founders of the Future Award (grand prize) will be awarded. Founders of the Future Award winner will receive fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and six (6) weeks of ongoing mentorship from a team of advisors provided by Fashion Tech Forum. Such mentorship will take place in the form of weekly check-ins. Equal shares of any prize money won will be paid to each individual on a winning team. The individual recipients of prize money will be responsible for the tax implications of their winnings. Teams may forfeit their individual shares of prize money in favor of granting the full amount of the prize money to a registered business entity if, and only if, all of the following conditions are met: Team registered as a business entity prior to June 11, 2015, Team has a Federal Tax Identification Number (also known as an Employer ID Number) prior to June 11, 2015; and All members of the team have agreed in writing to forfeit their individual portions of the prize money in favor of granting the full amount of the prize money to the registered business entity. Sponsor strongly recommends that teams seek legal consultation prior to signing such an agreement. Approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $50,000.

For all Prizes: Winners are responsible for all taxes and fees associated with prize receipt and/or use. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes of comparable value. No transfer or substitution of a prize is permitted except by Sponsor. The Grand Prize check will be mailed or wired within 60 days of receipt of the signed affidavit(s) of eligibility and liability/publicity release(s) form(s).

  1. Entry Conditions and Release

By entering, Contestants agree to the following conditions and release: (1) Each Contestant agrees to comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, and/or the Judges which are binding and final in all matters relating to this Competition. (2) Each Contestant also agrees to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, Hearst Communications, Inc., and their respective parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies, the prize suppliers and any other organizations responsible for sponsoring, fulfilling, administering, advertising or promoting the Challenge, and all of their respective past and present officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability. These claims, expenses, and liability include, but are not limited to, negligence and damages of any kind to persons and property, including but not limited to invasion of privacy (under appropriation, intrusion, public disclosure of private facts, false light in the public eye or other legal theory), defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, infringement of trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, property damage, or death or personal injury arising out of or relating to a Contestant’s entry, creation of an entry or submission of an entry, participation in the Challenge, acceptance or use or misuse of prize (including any travel or activity related thereto) and/or the broadcast, transmission, performance, exploitation or use of entry. (3) Each Contestant also agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Sponsor from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or relating to a Contestant’s participation in the Challenge and/or Contestant’s acceptance, use or misuse of prize.

  1. Publicity

Except where prohibited, participation in the Challenge constitutes winners’ consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of winner’s name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, hometown and state; application, interview(s) and commentary for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration.

  1. General Conditions

Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Challenge, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any individual or entrant it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Challenge or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or any other promotion or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Challenge may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

  1. Limitations of Liability

The Released Parties are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrants, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Challenge; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Challenge; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Challenge or the processing of entries; or (5) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Challenge or receipt or use or misuse of any prize. Any attempt by any person to deliberately undermine the legitimate operation of the Challenge may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

  1. Governing Law / Disputes

Entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Challenge, or any prizes awarded, other than those concerning the administration of the Challenge or the determination of winners, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (2) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Challenge, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved exclusively by the United States District Court or the appropriate New York State Court; (3) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering this Challenge, but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (4) under no circumstances will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses, and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrant, Sponsor in connection with the Challenge, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York.

  1. Privacy

Sponsor collects personal information from you when you enter the Challenge. The information collected is subject to the privacy policy located on the Challenge Website.

 

  1. Challenge Results

For results of the Challenge go to Challenge Website on or about June 11, 2015.

  1. Sponsor

Karen Harvey Consulting Services Inc., 156 Fifth Avenue, Suite 804 New York, NY 10010.

First, we need the basics

Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice tells you what to expect in relation to personal information about you which is collected, handled and processed by Fashion Tech Forum.

Fashion Tech Forum is committed to protecting the privacy of our community and users of our website. We want to provide a safe and secure user experience. We will ensure that the information you submit to us via our website or through any of our offices or other international websites or offices is only used for the purposes set out in this policy.

1. The Information we may collect
The information about you we may collect, hold and process is set out below:

1.1 Information collected and processed is as follows:

  • Your name
  • Your address/geographical location
  • Your email address
  • Your telephone number
  • Your current title/work history
  • Any other work related information you provide

2. This information is held, used and disclosed by us as follows:

  • to provide the best service you;
  • to maintain our business relationship, where you are a user of our website, a sponsor, partner or attendee;
  • internal record-keeping
  • to contact you via email, SMS or phone, with news, events and information that we believe you may be interested in
  • to enable you to purchase tickets and/or attend our events and access our content. 
  • to answer your enquiries;
  • we may also seek your consent to collect, hold, use and disclose your personal information for any other purpose not listed above
  • The personal and sensitive personal information you provide us may be sent to clients and third parties located outside the European Economic Area (EEA). When we transfer your personal information outside the EEA we will take reasonable steps with the aim of ensuring that your privacy rights continue to be protected.

3. How we hold the information
All the personal data we have is stored on our GDPR compliant database, Bullhorn

4. Disclosure of your information
Your information may be shared or sent to our sponsors and clients.  

5. What is the legal basis for processing the information?
We will rely on an individuals consent to process information which is collected at the outset of the sign up process.

6. Your rights
You currently have the right at any time to ask for a copy of the information about you that we hold.   
You also have the right to erasure, restriction of processing, objection and data portability

7. Retention of your data
Your data will be retained for no longer than is necessary and in accordance with our Data Retention Policy.

8. Withdrawal of consent
If you have provided us with your consent to process your data, for the purpose of using our services and us finding you suitable work, you have the right to withdraw this at any time

Welcome back. Please enter or reset your password.

Reset Your Password

Welcome back. Please set a password to access FTF video content.

Reset Password

Get access to all Fashion Tech Forum content and conversations.

Valuable insights for $50.
  • Price: $50.00
  • $0.00
  • American Express
    Discover
    MasterCard
    Visa
      


  • All purchases are non-refundable. Purchase includes video access to all past FTF events. Future FTF events are not included. Upon purchase your email will be added to our mailing list for notifications of upcoming FTF events and news.

Sign Up For FTF Updates

Already have an account?

*Required fields

Sign In

Forgot your username or password?

Don’t have an account?

Reset Your Password