Legal Scope

1. These Terms and Conditions set forth the rules for participation at Podim conference (hereafter: Conference), described in these Terms and Conditions, as well as the types, scope and conditions for the electronic provision of services by the website https://podim.org (hereafter: the Website) powered by institute Tovarna podjemov (hereafter: Organizer). Unless there is an explicit written consent of the Organizer to bear the Terms and Conditions of the participant, only these Terms and Conditions are valid. The following Terms and Conditions apply for the entire period of the contractual relationship between the Organizer and the party ordering the ticket – a natural or legal person (hereafter: Ordering Party) as well as for all services related to startup registration and application in the platform, the booking of other services, and participation at the Podim conference and/or the use of the Website.
2. The provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall apply to Participants and Partners of the Conference, as well as to individuals and entities using the Website. Services associated with the Podim conference, including inter alia the sale of partnership packages, may be provided on the basis of separate agreements executed with the Organizer.
3. By accessing this Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, all applicable laws and regulations, and acknowledge that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you should not use or access this Website.
4. The Organizer may revise these Terms and Conditions at any time without notice. By using this Website, you agree to be bound by the then-current version of these Terms and Conditions.

Conclusion of the Agreement

1. The agreement on participation for the entire duration of the Conference is concluded upon submission of an electronic booking or registration via the implemented podim.org/platform Booking and Registration System (hereafter: the “Booking & Registration System”) or by email, whereby the Participant confirms acceptance of all applicable Terms and Conditions, and upon the corresponding acceptance by the Organizer. The Organizer’s acceptance must be provided in writing, either through an email generated by the Booking & Registration System or through a manually written email sent to the Ordering Party.
2. A booking, or respectively a ticket purchase, whether made via the implemented Website’s Booking System or through email correspondence, is binding. The purchase is confirmed by an automated email from the Organizer. Failure by the Ordering Party to receive the automated email does not release the Ordering Party from its obligations.
3. The Organizer reserves the right to refuse the Ordering Party’s participation in the Conference and to cancel the order without providing any explanation. The Organizer is under no obligation to notify the Ordering Party of the refusal of participation or the cancellation of the order. If the Organizer refuses participation and cancels the order, the Organizer shall refund the payment for participation in the Conference without delay.
4. Registration should be completed no later than one (1) day before the start of the Conference. Startup ticket purchases must be approved by the Organizer. Approval is based on the individual application submitted by the startups. The Organizer verifies the application with the assistance of Conference Partners, and together they decide whether to allow a startup to participate in the Conference either as a fully presented startup in the Startup Catalogue or as a future-pick startup with a mention in the Catalogue. If a startup is not selected for inclusion in the Startup Catalogue or as a future-pick startup, it will be offered the option to purchase a Startup Basic ticket, which does not include access to the Deal Room. Confirmation of participation will be sent via email. In the case of startup applications, the deadline is provided on the Website. The deadline may be extended at the discretion of the Organizer.
5. The deadline for payment and downloading of Startup tickets is determined by the Organizer and provided on the Website. After the deadline, the startup loses the right to participate in the Conference.
6. Following the purchase of an Investor ticket, the Organizer will request that the Ordering Party provide additional information regarding its investor status and investment activities. In addition, the Ordering Party will be asked to provide the Organizer with materials intended for public use for publication on the Website and in other promotional materials of the Conference. If the Ordering Party does not provide the requested information and materials within the given deadline, or if the Organizer, in its sole discretion, concludes that the Ordering Party’s investment activities are not sufficient, the Organizer reserves the right to convert the Investor ticket into a BizDev Builder ticket. The BizDev Builder ticket grants the Ordering Party the same rights as the Investor ticket, except for promotion of the Ordering Party as an investor during the Conference and on the Website.
7. Following the purchase of a Researcher & Student ticket, the Organizer may request that the Ordering Party provide additional information to verify their researcher or student status. If the Ordering Party fails to provide the required information within the given deadline, or if the Organizer, in its sole discretion, concludes that the Ordering Party does not meet the required criteria, the Organizer reserves the right to convert the Researcher & Student ticket into an Ecosystem Builder ticket. The Ecosystem Builder ticket grants the Ordering Party the same rights as the Researcher & Student ticket.
8. The Ordering Party shall undertake to complete the registration form with proper and correct information. The Organizer shall not bear liability for loss arising out of incorrect information entered into the registration form by the Ordering Party.
9. The Organizer reserves the right to publish the names of enterprises and of people participating in the Conference.

Payment 

1. As indicated on the Website, all prices are inclusive of VAT and stated in euros. The final price will be specified in the respective invoice, and payment is due in full, without deductions, by the stated deadline.
2. The Organizer reserves the right to refuse entry to the Conference in the event of an unpaid invoice.
3. In the case of delayed payment, the Organizer is entitled to charge interest at a rate of ten percent (10%) above the base rate without prior notice.
4. Valid payment methods are: credit card, PayPal, and direct bank transfer. For direct bank transfers, the Ordering Party will receive a Proforma Invoice to the provided email address. The Proforma Invoice must be paid no later than one (1) day before the start of the Conference.

Cancellation and Disclosure to Third Parties

1. Ticket cancellation or transfer to another person is possible. 
2. The deadline for cancellation is ten (10) working days before the start of the Conference. A cancellation request must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. In the case of cancellation, an administration fee of EUR 145 (including VAT) per ticket will be retained by the Organizer. In the event of cancellation after the defined deadline, for any reason, or if the cancellation is not submitted in writing to the designated email address, the full ticket fee will be charged. 
3. The deadline for ticket transfer is five (5) working days before the start of the Conference. The transfer is carried out by the ticket purchaser via the Podim platform, access to which was provided at the time of purchase. In the case of a ticket transfer, the Organizer will not charge any additional costs or fees.
4. If the registered Ordering Party cannot attend the Conference due to force majeure, a substitute person may be proposed no later than one (1) day before the start of the Conference by providing the substitute’s name, surname, and email address via [email protected]. An additional administration fee of EUR 50 (including VAT) will apply. If the details of the substitute person are not provided, the ticket cannot be used by such person.
5. Passing on Student & Researcher tickets that require special validation requires the prior written approval of the Organizer.
6. Entering the Conference with an unauthorized ticket is prohibited and will result in confiscation of the ticket and expulsion of the person from the Conference.
7. The Organizer reserves the right to adjust ticket prices individually and to offer cooperation partners or similar third parties prices different from those officially communicated.
8. Startups approved to participate in the Conference may resign up to seven (7) days before PODIM Demo Day begins. Absence from the Conference without written notice as defined above will be penalized with a no-show fee of EUR 500 (excluding VAT) per company.

Limitation of Liability

1. The service owed by the Organizer is limited to the organization of the Conference. The Organizer is not liable for the quality of lectures and presentations, nor for the cancellation, modification, or loss of any lectures, sessions, or program content. Furthermore, the Organizer assumes no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the lectures and presentations (including keynotes, venture-building workshops, corporate innovation workshops, group mentoring sessions, topic deep dives, panels, and talks) provided.
2. Participants have no claim to access specific program items and/or speakers. 
3. For damages, the Organizer shall be liable only in cases of gross negligence and/or willful misconduct.
4. The Organizer is not liable for the loss or damage of personal or acquired items and excludes liability for personal injury. No consequential, non-material, or indirect damages, and no loss of profit, shall be reimbursed by the Organizer.
5. The materials on the Website are provided “as is”. Tovarna podjemov makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaims and negates all other warranties, including, without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violations of rights. Further, the Organizer does not warrant or make any representations regarding the accuracy, likely outcomes, or reliability of the use of the materials on its Website, or otherwise relating to such materials, or on any sites linked to this Website.

Terms Governing Specific Services

1. Newsletter service: By subscribing to the Organizer’s newsletter service, the user agrees to receive emails from the Organizer as governed by the Privacy Policy. The purpose of the newsletter service is to keep users informed about updates regarding the Conference, other events organized by the Organizer, and promotions from Conference partners. Subscription to the newsletter service is not mandatory and may be cancelled by the user at any time.
2. Startup Pitching Competition: As part of the Conference, the Organizer shall organize a challenge for startups under the title “Podim Pitching Competition”. Only selected startups whose participation in the Conference has been confirmed by the Organizer, and that have not raised Series A funding before the start of the Conference, may take part in the Competition. In order to participate in the Podim Pitching Competition, it is necessary to complete the following steps:

• • Register for participation in the Conference as a startup by completing the form on the Website.
  • Complete the Detailed Startup Application form on the Website.
  • Following initial verification, the Organizer will invite selected startups to the Conference. Verification shall be conducted together with the Conference Partners, based on the information provided during registration.
  • Following initial verification, a startup may receive an invitation to participate in the first stage of the Competition during the Demo Day.
  • Upon receiving an invitation to participate in the Competition, the startup will receive detailed information regarding its presentation.
  • Startups selected by the Organizer will deliver their presentations at the Online Demo Day in front of a jury composed of experts.
  • The jury will select the startups that qualify for the semi-finals and subsequently for the finals, where they will again present on the main stage during the Conference.
  • The award for the Competition winner and other detailed information about the Competition are published on the Conference webpage. The Organizer reserves the right to announce additional prizes, which a startup is not obliged to use.

3. Podim Deal Room: The Organizer uses a third-party service for matchmaking purposes (Brella). The Ordering Party is solely responsible for the use of this third-party service and agrees to comply with all Terms and Conditions applicable to that service. The Organizer cannot guarantee meetings with any chosen person through the third-party service. Participants freely decide whom they wish to meet.
4. Podim Marketplace:  is a dedicated area within the Conference venue and on the Podim app platform where Startups and Partners (hereafter referred to as the “Exhibitor” or “Exhibitors”) have the opportunity to exhibit their products and services. Participation in the Podim Marketplace is subject to separate terms and conditions and to payment of the applicable Marketplace fee, both for Partners and for Startup companies. The Organizer decides on the admission of Exhibitors and their exhibition products and services. There is no legal entitlement to admission. Exhibitors who have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the Organizer or who have violated these Terms may be excluded from admission. In the case of overbooking, the Organizer reserves the right of selection. Admission of Exhibitors is confirmed in writing and applies only to the Exhibitor stated therein. The Organizer is entitled to revoke the admission if it was granted on the basis of false information or if the admission requirements cease to apply at a later date. The Exhibitor is responsible for obtaining information about the location and dimensions of the stand space on site, if necessary. Upon takeover of the stand, the conditions are deemed acknowledged. Any justified complaints must be submitted in writing to the Organizer no later than three (3) days before the start of the Conference so that deficiencies can be remedied. Claims for damages of any kind, including those arising from errors in the use of the stand, may not be asserted. The Exhibitor is responsible for insuring its exhibition products and services against all risks during transport, assembly, dismantling, and throughout the Conference, including but not limited to damage, theft, and similar risks. The Exhibitor is liable for any damages caused to the exhibition space, stand equipment, including LCD monitors, and other property of the Organizer or the Conference venue. Subject to the limitations of liability set out in the “Limitation of Liability” section of these Terms and Conditions, the Organizer assumes no liability for the loss or damage of exhibition products and services or other assets owned by the Exhibitor, its representatives, or persons employed or invited by it. This includes, but is not limited to, loss or damage caused by water, fire, lightning, or other force majeure events, as well as damage to the Exhibitor, its representatives, or any persons working for or invited by the Exhibitor, regardless of the cause.
5. For sessions with limited participation, e.g. Group mentoring sessions, Deal Room, Quick Fix Sessions, the “first come first served” rule shall apply.

Solicitation Policy 

1. The Organizer maintains a no-solicitation policy covering all aspects of the Conference, including but not limited to pre- and post-Conference activities. To ensure a distraction-free environment for attendees, solicitation by participants or unauthorized parties is not permitted without the express written permission of the Organizer. This policy includes, but is not limited to, the following unauthorized activities:
   • Unauthorized receptions, parties, meetings, and similar events (including off-site events) for speakers, investors, startups, scaleups, and other guests of the Conference during the time they are engaged by the Organizer;
   • Unauthorized exhibits, mobile exhibits, and hospitality services;
   • Unauthorized membership recruitment activities;
   • Unauthorized promotion of events;
   • Unwelcome advances toward event participants or Organizer staff;
   • Unauthorized on-site distribution of printed or electronic materials, including literature, signs, flyers, invitations, tickets, forms, etc. (except business cards).
2. Any person and/or organization found to be violating this policy may be expelled from the Conference without refund. The Organizer is entitled to charge a penalty fee in the amount of EUR 3,000. Further claims for damages by the Organizer remain unaffected.

Behavior at the Conference

1. If a participant behaves in an unseemly, unlawful, or harmful manner toward the Organizer or other participants at the Conference, the Organizer is entitled to exclude the participant from the Conference. In such a case, the participant is not entitled to any reimbursement of costs or ticket fees. The Organizer reserves the right to assert additional claims for compensation.

Intellectual Property

1. The materials contained in this Website are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law. The Website and all content contained therein, regardless of the form in which they are presented, constitute the property of the Organizer.
2. Copying and distribution of the content of the Website, as well as any other use of its content without the prior consent of the Organizer, is forbidden. Any further processing, copying, distribution or publication constitutes a breach of copyright.

Changes

1. The Organizer reserves the right to change the program, speakers, location, and all other organizational aspects of the Conference, even at short notice. The Organizer also reserves the right to cancel the Conference at any time without providing a reason.
2. In the event of any of the circumstances described above, the Organizer shall publish the relevant information on the Website and inform Participants via email, text message (SMS), or by telephone using the contact details provided by the Participant in the registration form. The Organizer shall not reimburse lost profits or any other costs incurred by the Participant in connection with the aforementioned changes. The Organizer shall refund registration fees to Participants within fourteen (14) days from the date the decision to cancel the Conference is made and Participants are notified thereof.
3. The Organizer reserves the right to add new content to the Website, modify existing content, or remove such content in whole or in part.

Duties of Participants and Personal Data 

1. Submitting a notification of participation in the Conference or purchasing a ticket for the Conference constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
2. Participants are obliged to familiarize themselves with these Terms and Conditions.
3. The Participant shall bear all travel and accommodation costs associated with attending the Conference.
4. By attending the Conference, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Conference (or any part of it) may be photographed or recorded by the Organizer or its partners. The Participant agrees to permit the Organizer, or any third party licensed by the Organizer, to use, distribute, broadcast, or otherwise globally disseminate the Participant’s likeness, name, voice, and statements in perpetuity in television, radio, film, newspapers, magazines, and all other media now existing or later developed, at any time before, during, or after the Conference, and in any form, without further approval or payment to the Participant. This consent includes, but is not limited to, the right to edit the media, the right to use the media alone or in combination with other materials, and the right to allow others to use or distribute the media.
5. By purchasing a ticket, the Participant agrees that the company name, company logo, word and figurative mark, and photo and video material taken at the Conference may be used, particularly but not exclusively, for the promotion of upcoming events organized by the Organizer. Any individual who does not wish to give such consent must inform the Organizer via email at [email protected] immediately upon completing Registration or purchasing a ticket.
6. Specific rules concerning the collection and processing of personal data of Website Users, including Ordering Parties and Participants in the Conference, are set forth in the Privacy Policy.

Complaints

1. The User of the Website has the right to submit complaints regarding the Services provided by the Organizer.
2. A complaint regarding Services may be submitted by email sent to [email protected]. In order to expedite the process of reviewing complaints, the complaint submission should contain a short justification of the complaint and contact information to the person submitting the complaint, including name and surname, telephone number, and physical or address email address.
3. The Organizer shall undertake to review complaints on the services and on the Conference as quickly as possible, not later than within 30 (thirty) days, and shall forward a response in writing or to the email address provided in the complaint submission.
4. All complaints concerning the Conference should be addressed to the Organizer in writing via registered letter to the address of the Organizers’ seat, or via email to [email protected] not later than 7 (seven) days after completion of the Conference.

Dispute Resolution and Governing law

1. Any disputes arising from these Terms and conditions shall be resolved consensually by parties. If such consensual resolution of dispute is not possible, the dispute shall be referred for resolution to the competent court in Maribor, Slovenia. These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Slovenia without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Final Provisions

1. These Terms and Conditions are in effect from 4th of December 2025.