Terms of Service

Terms of Service

Effective Date: 1 January 2025
Last Updated: 31 August 2025

Hi, and welcome to Hinksey Labs, Ltd.! We're excited to have you here. These Terms of Service ("Terms") explain how you can use our website, participate in our programme, and understand your rights and responsibilities. By accessing our website or enrolling, you agree to these Terms. If you don’t agree, that’s okay - just know that you won’t be able to use our site or join the programme. If you intend to start or join a Hinksey Club, Appendix A - Hinksey Clubs also applies. For details on how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy. For information about refunds, please refer to our Refund Policy.

1. About Us
Hinksey Labs, Ltd. ("we," "us," "our") is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom, passionate about empowering exceptional high school students around the world. Our mission is to provide a rigorous programme that blends university-level research with practical applications. By combining mentorship from leading academics and industry experts in social impact, business, and entrepreneurship, we guide students to explore global challenges and create innovative solutions. Our registered address is The Wheelhouse, Angel Court, 81 St Clement's Street, Oxford, OX4 1AW, and our company registration number is 16075919.

2. Programme Participation
(A) Age Requirement:
• The programme is designed for high school students aged 14 and above.
• If you are under 18, you must have the consent of a parent or guardian to enrol.
(B) Application Requirements:
Participants must submit all required application materials, including essays, recommendation letters, and other attachments, by the stated deadlines.
(C) Accuracy of Information:
You agree to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information when applying or registering.
(D) Performance and Engagement:
Success in the programme depends on your active participation, engagement with mentors, and effort in projects and assignments.
(E) No Guarantees or Warranties:
While we strive to provide exceptional learning experiences, we do not guarantee specific outcomes, such as university admissions or employment.
(F) Educational and Informational Purposes Only:
The content on this website and in our programme is designed for general educational and informational purposes and does not constitute professional advice (e.g., financial, legal, or academic advice). For specific guidance, consult a qualified professional.
(G) Hinksey Clubs:

Participation in a Hinksey Club is subject to Appendix A - Hinksey Clubs.

3. Payment Terms
(A) Application Fee:
We do not require an application fee at this time.
(B) Enrolment Fee:
The Programme Fee referred to in clause 3(C) includes a USD 100 enrolment fee, which covers enrolment processing and onboarding - and is non‑refundable.
(C) Programme Fee:
Full payment for the programme must be completed by the deadline in your admission letter. If payment isn’t made on time, we may need to cancel your enrolment, which we’d hate to do!
(D) Scholarships:
If you’ve been awarded a scholarship, the programme fee will be reduced by the scholarship amount as outlined in your scholarship offer. Please remember that scholarships can’t be transferred, redeemed for cash, or applied retroactively, and any remaining balance is due by the payment deadline.
(E) Promotions and Discounts:
We may offer promotions, discounts, or special offers at our discretion. These are non-transferable, may change or end without notice, and cannot be combined unless stated. Offers apply only to new payments during the promotional period, are not retroactive, and may vary by region, time, or user group with additional terms.
(F) Refunds:
Refunds, where applicable, are subject to the conditions outlined in our Refund Policy.

4. Competition Participation
(A) Eligibility:
Unless stated otherwise in the competition rules, our competitions are open to high school students aged 14-18 from any location. Some competitions may have additional eligibility requirements set out in their specific rules. Where there is a conflict between these Terms and the competition-specific rules, the competition-specific rules will apply.

(B) Entries:
All competition entries must be the entrant’s own original work, be submitted in English, and must not infringe the intellectual property, privacy, or other rights of any third party. Plagiarism may result in disqualification.

(C) Judging:
All decisions by judges are final and binding. Feedback may be provided at our discretion and is not guaranteed for all entrants.

(D) Prizes:

• Prizes are as stated in the competition announcement and are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and non-redeemable for cash - except where we expressly permit a transfer at our sole discretion. We may, at our sole discretion, substitute a prize with an alternative of a similar nature or purpose if circumstances beyond our control require it.

• If a prize includes a scholarship to one of our programmes, we will strive to align with the winner's preference for the programme intake (i.e., Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall). However, we reserve the right to make the final decision on which cohort the prize applies to. If the specified cohort is cancelled or does not run, we may defer the prize to a future cohort or provide another educational opportunity instead.

(E) Use of Submissions:
By submitting an entry, you (and your parent/guardian if you are under 18) grant Hinksey Labs, Ltd. a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, and display the work for promotional, educational, and reporting purposes, with appropriate credit where practicable.

(F) Disqualification:
We reserve the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, late, plagiarised, or otherwise in breach of these Terms or the competition-specific rules.

(G) Liability:
We are not responsible for lost, delayed, corrupted, or misdirected entries, or for any technical issues affecting submission or judging.

(H) Local Laws:
Entrants are responsible for ensuring their participation is lawful under the rules of their jurisdiction, including obtaining parental consent where required.

5. Intellectual Property
• All materials provided during the programme, including course content, projects, and resources, are the property of Hinksey Labs, Ltd. or our partners. You may not reproduce, distribute, or share any programme materials without prior written consent. We reserve the right to enforce our intellectual property rights in any jurisdiction, as necessary, to protect our materials.
• Students keep ownership of materials created within Hinksey Clubs while granting Hinksey Labs a limited licence to use them as described in Appendix A - Hinksey Clubs.

6. Use of Photos and Participant Materials
By participating in our programme, you (or your parent/guardian if you are under 18) grant us permission to use photos, videos, or other recordings of programme sessions, as well as materials created by participants, for promotional purposes. These may include testimonials, marketing materials, and content shared on our website, social media, or other media platforms.
• We will not include personal information (such as names or contact details) in any promotional materials without explicit consent from you or your parent/guardian.
• The rules in this Section also apply to photos, videos and materials from Hinksey Clubs, as further described in Appendix A - Hinksey Clubs.
• If you or your parent/guardian prefer that we do not use your photos, videos, or materials, you may notify us at any time by contacting us at team@hinkseylabs.com and we will ensure your preference is respected.

For more details about how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.

7. Third-Party Links and Services
Our website may include links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the content, availability, or policies of third-party sites. You access these links at your own risk.

8. Termination
(A) We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the website or programme if you:
• Breach these Terms or engage in prohibited conduct, such as fraud or abusive behaviour.
• Fail to meet payment obligations or programme requirements.
• Misuse programme materials, including reproducing, redistributing, or plagiarising content without permission.
(B) If your enrolment is terminated, you will not be entitled to a refund unless required by law, or in exceptional circumstances - at our discretion.

9. Prohibited Activities
(A) By using our website or participating in our programme, you agree not to:
• Engage in unlawful or fraudulent activities.
• Interfere with the website’s functionality, including hacking or introducing malware.
• Misuse any content or materials provided in the programme.
• Impersonate another person or misrepresent your identity.
(B) We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access if these rules are violated.

10. User-Generated Content
(A) If you upload or share content (e.g., projects, comments), you:
• Retain ownership of your content but grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, and display it for programme-related purposes.
• Agree not to submit content that is unlawful, offensive, or violates intellectual property rights.
(B) We reserve the right to remove any content that breaches these Terms.

11. Privacy and Data Protection
• We are committed to protecting your personal data in compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other applicable laws. For international participants, this may include transferring data outside your country of residence.
• When students register for Hinksey Clubs or Club events through our Registration Platform or Events Platform, both the Club Leader and Hinksey Labs may access that data. Hinksey will process Club data as described in our Privacy Policy and in Appendix A - Hinksey Clubs.
• For more information about how we handle your data, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

12. Feedback and Suggestions
Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you submit to us regarding the programme or website may be used without restriction or compensation. By submitting feedback, you grant us the right to use it for improvements or other purposes.

13. Dispute Resolution
(A) These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. If a dispute arises, we ask that both parties first try to resolve it through open and friendly discussions. Either party can start this process by sending a written notice outlining the issue. These discussions should continue for at least 60 days unless both sides agree to wrap them up sooner.
(B) If the matter is still unresolved, it will be resolved through binding arbitration to keep things simple and cost-effective.
• For smaller claims (under £25,000), arbitration will take place online using a low-cost provider, such as FairClaims or a similar service agreed upon by both parties.
• For larger claims, we may use a recognised arbitration service like the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) or the American Arbitration Association (AAA). Arbitration will be conducted in English, and the arbitrator’s decision will be final and binding.
• Each party will share the arbitration costs equally, but you’ll cover your own legal fees unless the arbitrator decides otherwise.
• This process doesn’t apply to intellectual property disputes or urgent matters like injunctive relief, which may require immediate action in a court.

We’re committed to resolving disputes as quickly, fairly, and affordably as possible. All discussions and arbitration proceedings will be kept confidential unless the law requires disclosure.

14. Limitation of Liability
(A) To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hinksey Labs, Ltd. and its affiliates, employees, and partners are not liable for:
• Direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or inability to use our website or programme materials.
• Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content provided.
(B) We strive to provide a seamless user experience but cannot guarantee uninterrupted access to our website or programme materials. Hinksey Labs, Ltd. is not responsible for:
• Delays, interruptions, or technical issues caused by external factors, including internet connectivity or device compatibility.
• Delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, or governmental actions.
(C) This Limitation includes, but is not limited to, lost profits, lost business opportunities, or data loss.

15. No Endorsement
Any references to third‑party organisations, products or services on this website or within our programmes are provided for information only - they do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Hinksey Labs Ltd.

16. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hinksey Labs, Ltd., its affiliates, employees, and partners from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of this website or participation in the programme.

17. Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

18. Entire Agreement
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Hinksey Labs, Ltd. regarding the use of the website and programme, superseding any prior agreements or understandings.

19. Changes to These Terms
• We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make changes, we will post the updated version on our website and revise the "Last Updated" date above. Continued use of our website or participation in the programme constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
• Updates to Appendix A - Hinksey Clubs will follow the same process as updates to these Terms

20. Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at team@hinkseylabs.com.

Appendix A - Hinksey Clubs
Effective Date: 31 August 2025
Last Updated: 31 August 2025

Hi there, congratulations on choosing to start or join a Hinksey Club (“Club”). This appendix explains the basics and forms part of our Terms of Service. If anything here clashes with the main Terms for Club matters, this appendix wins. By running or joining a Club, you agree to this appendix and our Terms.

1. What is a Hinksey Club
A Hinksey Club is a student-led community for high-school students aged 14-18 who are passionate about business, social impact and research, and who organise their own activities around these themes. Each Club is approved by Hinksey Labs to use the Hinksey name and may, at our discretion, receive its own Club website, access to Hinksey materials and team support, and small stipends to help run events. Clubs can run in schools, community centres, libraries, youth spaces or other suitable venues - and can also run online.

2. Who Can Run a Club
(A) Starting or Renewing: Launching a new Club - or continuing to run a Club for another year - requires approval and coordination with the Hinksey Labs team.
(B) Who Usually Starts Clubs: We generally reserve the opportunity to open a Club to Hinksey Ambassadors - scholars who have completed one of our programmes with top achievements and who show leadership skills. If you want to proactively start a Club, email team@hinkseylabs.com and we’ll consider your request.

(C) Age: Club Leaders and members must be 14+.

3. How We Support Clubs
(A) Team Access: We aim to host occasional office hours, check-ins and knowledge-exchange sessions 1-to-1 or with multiple Clubs. We’ll do our best to help you run a successful Club, but we don’t guarantee a specific response time or availability.

(B) Materials: On request, we may share case studies, templates, slides, or guides for your Club’s educational activities. These come with a simple, revocable licence for Club use only - no reposting publicly or reselling. Please keep any watermarking or attributions in place.

(C) Club Website: We may set up a small Club web page to spotlight your leadership and provide a platform where you can manage member registrations, share Club news and events, and more. 

(D) Social Media Recognition: We may spotlight Clubs and members who are active by sharing their updates, photos or achievements on our official channels.

(E) Stipends: We may offer small stipends or reimbursements to help with kick-off or special events. See clause 6 for how this works.

All support above is subject to our capacity and policies - we can update what we offer from time to time.

4. Personal Safety
• Follow the rules of your host venue or school and local laws.

• Keep everyone safe: meet in open, observable settings if non-student adults are present; avoid one-to-one private adult-minor in-person meetings.

• If you’re worried about safety, tell the venue lead or school contact straight away, then email us at team@hinkseylabs.com.

5. Registration Management
(A) Club sign-ups: Members should register through the dedicated Registration Platform - currently Fillout - so both the Club Leaders and Hinksey Labs can keep track of the member list. If we switch tools, we’ll let you know and the new tool will replace it.
(B) Event sign-ups: Create Club events and handle RSVPs through the dedicated Events Platform - currently Luma - with Hinksey Labs listed as co-host so we can track registrations and attendance. If we switch tools, the new tool will replace it.


These platforms have their own terms of use - please follow them.

6. Intellectual Property
(A) Brand: We provide you with a limited, revocable licence to use the Hinksey name and logo for your approved Club. Don’t change the logo, register domains or social handles with “Hinksey Labs”, or print merch, unless we say yes in writing.

(B) Materials: We may share selected cases, slides and templates for Club use only. Please don’t repost publicly, republish or resell. Keep any attributions or watermarks.

(C) No Endorsement: Using our brand doesn’t mean we endorse third-party products or events.

7. Money
(A) Stipends: We may, at our discretion, offer small stipends or reimbursements. Current caps, what’s reimbursable, receipts and how we pay are on the Clubs page and may change over time. Alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances are never reimbursable.

(B) Fundraising: If you fundraise or sell tickets, follow host-venue rules and local law. Don’t use the Hinksey Labs name for fundraising or sponsorships without our written approval.

(C) Revenue from Club activities: Clubs are free to access. You must not charge membership fees, participation fees, or generate revenue (including from ticket sales, merchandise or sponsorships) unless Hinksey Labs has given prior written approval. Any approved revenue must be handled through school or host-venue accounts, not personal accounts, and must comply with local law.

8. Ownership
• You own your Club Materials. 
• You provide Hinksey Labs with a free, worldwide, non-exclusive licence to use them for education and promotion, with credit where reasonable. 

• Only include third-party content if you’ve got permission or a lawful basis.

9. Photos and Videos
• Follow your host’s consent rules for photographing or filming under-18s and respect any opt-out. 

• The “Use of Photos and Participant Materials” clause in the Terms (Section 6) applies to Clubs too.

10. Privacy
• Your Club and host venue or school are responsible for the data you collect from members, including data gathered via the Registration Platform and the Events Platform. Hinksey Labs is responsible for data we collect directly or access through those platforms.

• Collect only what you need, keep it safe, delete it when no longer needed unless the law says otherwise. If you share data with Hinksey Labs, we’ll handle it under our Privacy Policy.

11. Independence and Responsibility
• Clubs are independent - you can’t sign contracts for Hinksey, promise things on our behalf, or present yourselves as our agents.

• We aren’t responsible for Club meetings or events and we don’t provide insurance - use host-venue cover or arrange suitable cover if needed.

12. Inclusivity
Be inclusive and respectful. No bullying, harassment, discrimination, hate speech or unlawful activity.

13. Limitation of Liability
We provide Club support and materials “as is”. We aren’t liable for losses from Club activities or third-party platforms, and we may pause or withdraw approval if rules or safety are not respected or there’s brand risk. If approval ends, stop using the Hinksey Labs name and follow our instructions for closing or transferring Club pages and assets.

14. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this appendix, please contact us at team@hinkseylabs.com.