Terms - Pilot Year

1. Registration & Term

Registration acknowledges your institution (“University”) as a participating university or "Affiliate" in xFoundry's 2026–27 programmatic cycle. The term commences on the Effective Date (date of digital acknowledgment) and terminates upon the conclusion of the Context Before Belief Xperience (Spring 2028). This registration is limited to specified programs below and terminates automatically at the end of the term. During this term, your institution will be listed in xFoundry materials. Participation in future cycles and programs not listed in scope would be determined by a new registration.

2. Scope & Participation

Affiliates are entitled to unlimited student team registrations and Resource MatriX access in the following programs:

• Horizons Challenge II (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 cohorts)
• Context Before Belief Xperience (Fall 2026 – Spring 2028)

Affiliates are also entitled to:

• Up to 10 complimentary passes to the 2027 NEXPLORE Summit for university representatives (faculty, staff, administrators, and leadership)
• Attendance (no fee) to the 2027 NEXPLORE Summit for Horizons Challenge finalist team(s)
• Eligibility for investment and funding for an Xperience winning team from Xponential (GP/LP) fund per program rules.

Access to participation in additional xFoundry programs launched during the term period is not granted by this registration.

If a team from the Affiliate is named as the winner of Context Before Belief, this agreement extends the terms to their participation in Xcelerate for that team only.

2.1 Xponential

Xponential is xFoundry's partner venture capital firm. Participation in xFoundry’s program ecosystem under this Agreement does not confer any contractual right, guarantee, or claim to Xponential investment capital. While we have been guaranteed that winning our Xperience and Xpand programs grants student teams access to a curated relationship with them, Xponential operates independently of xFoundry and makes investment decisions at its sole fiduciary discretion.

2.2 Eligibility

Individual student participation is subject to xFoundry’s eligibility criteria and program rules.

3. Responsibilities

• Liaison(s) and campus champions: Designate a primary point of contact for coordination and a strategy for cross-campus outreach.
• Promotion: Market programs to relevant departments and students consistently throughout a team registration period.
• Access: Ensure opportunities and access to ConneXions are available institution-wide without departmental or IT restriction.

4. Intellectual Property

xFoundry asserts no ownership interest in intellectual property created by students. Participation is not contingent upon granting equity, licenses, or assignments to xFoundry. Student work product is governed by individual xFoundry Teaming and Competitor Agreements.

5. Privacy and Data

xFoundry shall obtain necessary student information directly via consent or legal authorization; Affiliates are not required to disclose protected education records. xFoundry will handle personal information in accordance with applicable laws, including FERPA.

6. Year One (Pilot Year) Fees

Affiliate fees are waived for universities participating in "Year One", a pilot year. There are no financial commitments or arrangements bound between the University and xFoundry by this registration. Affiliates participating in the pilot year receive a one-time code upon registration to waive fees; The code is not applicable to additional programs or cycles.