Terms & Conditions

These terms govern participation in The Pitch Floor, a pitch competition run as part of Founder Haus (August 21–23, 2026, Chandigarh), organized by Startup Flames. By submitting an application, you agree to these terms.

1. Eligibility

Applicants must have a working prototype or MVP — idea-only or slide-deck-only submissions are not eligible. Total prior funding raised must be under ₹25 lakh. We reserve the right to verify eligibility and disqualify applications that don't meet these criteria at any stage of the process.

2. Registration fee

Applying requires a non-refundable-by-default fee of ₹1499, processed securely via Razorpay. Partial refunds apply in specific cases — see our Refund & Cancellation Policy for full details.

3. Competition format & judging

The competition runs across three rounds: an online application/deck review, an online live video pitch, and an offline final round in Chandigarh. Judging criteria and weightings are published on our home page and may be applied at the judging panel's discretion. Advancement decisions and grant allocations made by the judging panel are final.

4. Grants

The ₹5L+ grant pool is distributed to finalists at the judging panel's discretion following the final round. A grant offer is not guaranteed by reaching the final round, and disbursement may be subject to standard verification (e.g. registration documents, bank details) and applicable tax regulations in India.

5. Intellectual property

You retain full ownership of your startup, product, and any intellectual property you submit or present. By applying, you grant Founder Haus and Startup Flames a limited, non-exclusive right to use your startup's name, logo, and pitch materials for the purpose of running and promoting the competition (for example, in shortlist announcements or event recap content).

6. Conduct

We expect professional conduct from all applicants, judges, and attendees throughout the competition. We reserve the right to disqualify any applicant for conduct we reasonably consider disruptive, dishonest, or harmful to other participants.

7. Limitation of liability

Founder Haus and Startup Flames are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from participation in The Pitch Floor, including travel, preparation costs, or business decisions made in connection with the competition.

8. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms as the competition progresses (for example, to clarify format details). Material changes will be reflected on this page with an updated date above.

9. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of India, with courts in Chandigarh having jurisdiction over any disputes.

10. Contact

Questions about these terms: hello@startupflames.in · +91 96722 93975