SouthStarter Terms of Service

Last Updated: 25 September 2025

Who we are. SouthStarter, Inc. (“SouthStarter,” “we,” “us,” “our”)
Contact. info@southstarter.com
Address. 2261 Market Street STE 85707, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA

These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) govern your access to and use of southstarter.com, app.southstarter.com, and our WhatsApp experiences and related services (the “Platform” or “Services”). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Services.

1) Eligibility & Accounts

  • Eligibility. You must be at least 13 years old (or 16 in the EU/UK) and have the legal power to form a contract. If you use the Services on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization.

  • Registration. Some features require an account. You agree to provide accurate and complete information and keep it up to date.

  • Security. You are responsible for keeping your credentials confidential and for activity under your account. Notify us promptly of any unauthorized use or security incident.

2) Description of the Services

SouthStarter is a business networking and enablement platform that helps entrepreneurs, experts, investors, and enterprise users discover one another, coordinate double-opt-in introductions, and streamline collaboration (e.g., scheduling via messaging channels such as WhatsApp). We may improve or change features over time, including launching beta/experimental features.

3) Acceptable Use

You agree not to (and not to allow others to):

  • Violate any laws or regulations applicable to you.

  • Upload or share unlawful, infringing, misleading, harmful, harassing, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise objectionable content.

  • Spam, conduct lead scraping, send unauthorized commercial messages, or circumvent user consent (intros on SouthStarter are double opt-in).

  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to access source code except as permitted by law.

  • Bypass security, probe or test the vulnerability of the Services, or disrupt/overload our infrastructure.

  • Automate or scrape the Services without our prior written permission (including bots, crawlers, or mass data extraction).

  • Misrepresent identity or affiliation, or impersonate others.

  • Use the Services in violation of export controls or sanctions.

We may monitor for compliance and suspend or terminate accounts for violations.

4) Your Content & License to SouthStarter

  • Your Content. You retain ownership of content you submit (profiles, messages, files, briefs, feedback, etc.) (“User Content”).

  • License to operate the Services. You grant SouthStarter a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, use, reproduce, modify, create derivative works (only as needed for functionality, formatting, or translation), and display User Content solely to operate, secure, improve, and market the Services (e.g., showcasing anonymized or aggregated outcomes).

  • Representations. You represent you have all rights necessary for your User Content and that it does not infringe any third-party rights.

  • Feedback. You grant us a perpetual, irrevocable license to use feedback or suggestions without restriction or compensation.

5) Messaging Channels (e.g., WhatsApp)

If you interact via WhatsApp or similar channels, messages are processed to deliver features (e.g., intake, coordinating double-opt-in intros, scheduling). Third-party messaging tools have their own terms and privacy policies. Do not share sensitive data over messaging.

6) Introductions & Matching

  • Double Opt-In. SouthStarter facilitates introductions only when both sides consent.

  • Shared fields. If you accept an intro, we may share your name, role, company, and context for the intro with the counterparty.

  • No guarantees. We do not guarantee successful outcomes, deals, funding, or employment.

7) Third-Party Services & Integrations

The Services may link to or integrate with third-party tools (e.g., email, calendars, conferencing, identity providers). We are not responsible for third-party services; their terms and privacy policies govern your use of them.

8) Subscriptions, Trials, and Payments ⟨optional section; include if/when you charge⟩

  • Fees. Certain features may require paid subscriptions or one-time fees (“Paid Services”). Prices and billing terms will be presented at checkout or in an order form.

  • Billing. You authorize us (or our payment processor) to charge all applicable fees and taxes. Recurring subscriptions renew automatically until canceled.

  • Cancellation. You can cancel future renewals any time before the next billing cycle.

  • Refunds. Unless stated otherwise in an order form, fees are non-refundable except where required by law.

  • Changes. We may change pricing with notice before the next renewal; continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

9) Intellectual Property; Our Content

The Services, including our software, design, logos, and other materials, are owned by SouthStarter or its licensors and protected by intellectual property laws. Except for rights expressly granted in these Terms, no licenses are granted. You must not remove or alter proprietary notices.

10) Confidentiality

If you receive non-public information from us, you must keep it confidential and use it only as permitted in writing. For introductions and collaborations arranged off-platform, parties should put in place NDAs/contracts as needed; SouthStarter is not a party to such agreements unless explicitly stated.

11) Privacy

Your use of the Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy. Please review it to understand how we process personal data.

12) Beta Features

We may offer features labeled Alpha, Beta, Preview, or Labs. They are provided as-is, may change or be withdrawn, and may be subject to additional terms.

13) Warranties & Disclaimers

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT RESULTS WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

14) Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, SOUTHSTARTER AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY.
OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS RELATING TO THE SERVICES WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS YOU PAID TO SOUTHSTARTER FOR THE SERVICES IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS BEFORE THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM (OR $100 IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID ANY AMOUNTS).

Some jurisdictions do not allow certain disclaimers or limits; in those cases, we apply the maximum limits permitted.

15) Indemnification

You will indemnify and hold harmless SouthStarter and its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to (a) your User Content; (b) your use of the Services in violation of these Terms; or (c) your violation of applicable law or third-party rights.

16) Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or terminate your account or access to the Services at any time with or without notice if we believe you have violated these Terms, pose a risk, or for business/legal reasons. You may stop using the Services at any time. Certain provisions survive termination (including §§ 4, 9–16, 18–20).

17) Changes to the Services or Terms

We may modify the Services and these Terms. If we make material changes, we will notify you (e.g., via the Platform or email). Changes take effect on posting or on the date stated in the notice. Your continued use after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

18) Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

  • Governing law. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflicts of law rules.

  • Venue. Courts in San Francisco, California will have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes that are not subject to arbitration.

  • Arbitration & waiver (optional). ⟨If you want binding arbitration and class-action waiver, insert your standard clause here; otherwise, omit.⟩

19) Export & Sanctions

You may not use the Services if you are located in, or are a resident or national of, a country embargoed by the U.S., or if you are on a U.S. government list of prohibited or restricted parties. You must comply with export control and sanctions laws.

20) Miscellaneous

  • Entire agreement. These Terms and any order form or addendum (if applicable) are the entire agreement between you and SouthStarter regarding the Services.

  • Order of precedence. If you have a signed enterprise agreement, it controls where it conflicts with these Terms.

  • Assignment. You may not assign or transfer your rights without our consent; we may assign to an affiliate or in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

  • Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.

  • No waiver. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.

  • Force majeure. We are not liable for delays or failures due to events beyond our reasonable control.

  • Notices. We may provide notices via the Platform, email, or your account contact details.

21) Contact

Questions about these Terms: info@southstarter.com
Postal: SouthStarter, Inc., 2261 Market Street STE 85707, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA