TERMS OF
REFERENCE
& PARTICIPATION

Governing framework for all interactions between NCEI Lebanon, participating startups, and diaspora investors.

1. TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

1.1 Program Background & Objectives

Bridge to Growth is an institutional initiative managed by NCEI Lebanon to bridge the Lebanese startup ecosystem with the global diaspora. The program creates a data-driven Institutional Sandbox to facilitate secure, transparent, and high-impact cooperation, investment, and talent acquisition.

1.2 The Institutional Sandbox

The Sandbox is a proprietary virtual environment managed by NCEI Lebanon. It functions as the primary platform for:

  • •Centralized Documentation: Hosting verified business plans, feasibility studies, and due diligence materials.
  • •Milestone Tracking: Providing a real-time dashboard for investors and startups to monitor project progress and negotiation phases.
  • •Expert Oversight: Connecting participants with NCEI-appointed researchers and industry mentors to ensure alignment with international investment standards.

2. TERMS OF PARTICIPATION: STARTUPS & SEEKERS

2.1 Eligibility & Vetting

  • •Verification: Startups must submit documentation proving legal entity status (or intent to incorporate) and provide a comprehensive Feasibility Study/Business Plan for NCEI review.
  • •Operational Readiness: Participants must demonstrate technical readiness and the ability to operate within the Sandbox environment.
  • •Commitment: By registering, startups commit to active engagement in the Sandbox for the duration of July 2026.

2.2 Obligations

  • •Data Accuracy: All information shared within the Sandbox must be accurate, truthful, and updated regularly.
  • •Professionalism: Startups must adhere to NCEI's Code of Conduct, ensuring timely responses to investor inquiries and participating in scheduled "Institutional Tank" sessions.
  • •Compliance: Participants must comply with all Lebanese regulatory frameworks and disclose any potential conflicts of interest during the matchmaking process.

3. TERMS OF PARTICIPATION: INVESTORS

3.1 Eligibility & Vetting

  • •Investor Profile: Open to Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, Diaspora Business Leaders, and representatives from NGOs/International Organizations.
  • •Disclosure: Investors are encouraged to provide a brief "Investment Mandate" (sectors of interest, ticket size, and risk appetite) to improve the efficacy of the automated matching engine.

3.2 Obligations

  • •Code of Conduct: Investors agree to act with transparency and integrity, providing constructive feedback to startups even when declining a proposal.
  • •Confidentiality: All proprietary business plans and sensitive data accessed within the Sandbox are subject to a Strict Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Proprietary information shall not be disseminated outside the NCEI Sandbox environment.
  • •Due Diligence Respect: While NCEI performs preliminary vetting, investors acknowledge that they remain responsible for their own final due diligence and investment decisions.

4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & DATA PRIVACY

  • •IP Protection: NCEI Lebanon does not claim ownership of any Intellectual Property generated by participants. All innovations remain the property of the respective startup/founder.
  • •Data Protection: NCEI Lebanon operates under strict data privacy protocols. No personal or proprietary information will be shared with third parties outside the program without the express written consent of the owner.
  • •Sandbox Security: All interactions within the Sandbox are logged for transparency and accountability, providing an audit trail for future investment rounds.

5. OPERATIONAL GOVERNANCE

  • •NCEI Mediation: NCEI Lebanon acts as the primary intermediary. In the event of a dispute or communication breakdown between parties, NCEI reserves the right to intervene to facilitate a resolution.
  • •Exit Clause: NCEI reserves the right to suspend or remove any participant (startup or investor) found in breach of the Code of Conduct or the Terms of Participation.
  • •Reporting: NCEI Lebanon will generate summary reports on the ecosystem's performance post-July, utilizing aggregated, anonymized data to advocate for policy improvements with the public sector.

AGREEMENT AFFIRMATION

By registering on the NCEI platform, all parties acknowledge they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms of Participation. Failure to comply with these terms may result in immediate expulsion from the Sandbox and forfeiture of access to NCEI institutional backing.

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