Rules

The Dock Startup Lab programme (the “Programme”) is organised by Unfold Tomorrow Benefit S.b.r.l., with registered office at Via Carlo Spinola, 5, 00154 Rome, Italy, Tax Code and VAT number 17604921001, REA RM-1729261 (the “Organiser”).

The Programme is a four-month entrepreneurial pathway intended to help selected participants explore startup opportunities, form multidisciplinary teams, validate problems and solutions, test business models, and prepare for growth and investment.

The Programme is delivered primarily online and includes online learning activities, masterclasses, mentoring, expert sessions, collaborative work and in-person activities in Rome. The 2027 edition is scheduled to begin in March 2027 and conclude with Demo Day in July 2027, subject to the Organiser’s right to make changes under these Rules. Participation is free for selected participants. The Programme does not guarantee that a participant will create a startup, secure investment, obtain customers or win an award.

Applications are open to individuals interested in entrepreneurship, including students, graduates, researchers, professionals, technology specialists and previous founders. Applicants may apply individually or with prospective co-founders. An existing business idea or team is not required.

Each person wishing to participate must submit their own application by the deadline published for the 2027 edition. If applying with a prospective co-founder, each person must submit a separate application and provide the information requested by the Organiser.

Applicants must provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information. The Organiser may request clarification, supporting information, an interview or an assessment as part of the selection process. An application does not guarantee admission.

The Organiser will assess applications in the context of the overall cohort. Selection may consider, among other factors:

• motivation, curiosity and willingness to learn and collaborate;
• relevant experience, skills, initiative and potential contribution to a team;
• the applicant’s availability and ability to commit the required time;
• the order in which complete applications are received; and
• the balance of disciplines, skills and perspectives across the cohort.

The Organiser will notify applicants of the outcome using the contact details provided in their applications. The Organiser may maintain a reserve list and offer places to reserve applicants if selected applicants decline or withdraw.

A place in the Programme is personal and may not be transferred to another person. Selected applicants must confirm their place and provide any requested information by the deadline stated in their admission notice. Failure to confirm on time may result in the place being offered to another applicant.

Participants are expected to commit at least 10 hours per week to Programme activities and work on their venture. Participation in weekly workshops and team-building activities is mandatory. Recordings or other learning materials may support participants, but do not replace attendance at activities designated as mandatory.

Participants must:

• attend mandatory activities punctually and participate constructively;
• make a reasonable effort to complete agreed learning and venture-development tasks;
• promptly notify the Organiser and their team about absences or difficulties;
• contribute fairly to team collaboration and respect agreed roles and responsibilities; and
• follow reasonable instructions relating to Programme activities, venues and online platforms.

The Organiser may record attendance and participation for Programme administration and cohort-support purposes. Repeated unexplained absence, insufficient engagement or failure to meet basic participation requirements may lead to a warning, an improvement plan, suspension or removal from the Programme.

Participants may form teams through Programme team-building activities or outside the Programme. Teams must consist of at least three and no more than five Dock participants. A team may include no more than two members from the same area of study or discipline. These requirements apply equally to teams formed before or during the Programme.

The Organiser may facilitate introductions and team-building but does not guarantee that participants will find a co-founder or that a team will remain together. Participants are responsible for discussing and documenting their own arrangements, including roles, decision-making, ownership, expenses, confidentiality and what happens if a member leaves. The Organiser is not a party to, and does not resolve disputes under, agreements between participants or teams.

Participants must treat other participants, mentors, speakers, staff, partners and venue personnel with respect. Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats, violence, fraud, deliberate disruption, unlawful conduct, or misuse of Programme platforms or facilities is prohibited.

Participants must not:

• submit another person’s work or ideas as their own;
• misrepresent their qualifications, progress, customers, traction or business;
• use confidential information shared by others without permission;
• record, photograph or publish another person’s contribution without appropriate permission; or
• attempt to improperly influence the selection of Demo Day finalists, award recipients or any other Programme decision.

Concerns may be reported to info@dockstartuplab.com. The Organiser may investigate and take proportionate action, including issuing a warning, limiting access to an activity, suspending or removing a participant from the Programme, or disqualifying a team from Demo Day or awards.

The Organiser may adjust the Programme schedule, format, speakers, mentors, venues, activities or delivery method where reasonably necessary, including moving activities online, postponing or cancelling an activity, or changing the Demo Day arrangements. The Organiser will communicate material changes as soon as reasonably practicable.

The Organiser does not guarantee that every announced mentor, partner, benefit, venue or activity will be available in every edition. Any partner credits, discounts, tools or offers are subject to the relevant partner’s eligibility criteria, terms, availability and conditions. The Organiser does not guarantee access to or continuation of those benefits.

Participation in the Programme is free for selected participants. Travel, accommodation, meals and all other expenses connected with participation—including attendance at in-person activities in Rome and Demo Day—are not covered or reimbursed by the Organiser, unless the Organiser expressly confirms otherwise in writing.

Participants retain ownership of intellectual property they create, develop or bring to the Programme, subject to any rights belonging to third parties and any separate written agreement among team members.

By participating, participants do not assign or license their project, idea, software, materials or other intellectual property to the Organiser. Participants are responsible for ensuring that they have the rights and permissions needed to use materials they submit or present, including materials created by team members, employees, clients or other third parties.

Participants should avoid disclosing information they consider confidential during Programme activities unless they are comfortable doing so or have agreed appropriate confidentiality arrangements with the relevant recipients. The Organiser does not guarantee that all participants, mentors, investors or other attendees will enter into confidentiality agreements. Participants should seek independent advice before sharing sensitive commercial, technical or personal information.

The Programme may conclude with a Demo Day at which selected teams pitch to an audience that may include investors, companies, experts and other guests. The Organiser may set eligibility requirements, submission deadlines, presentation formats and evaluation criteria for Demo Day and any associated awards.

The details of any Demo Day awards, including their amount, form, allocation, eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria, will be communicated to participants during the Programme. Awards will be subject to the terms communicated by the Organiser and, where applicable, the relevant award partner. No participant is guaranteed an award, investment or other financial benefit.

The jury will evaluate eligible submissions using the criteria communicated during the Programme. Jury decisions on rankings and awards will be final, subject to applicable law and the communicated award terms. Participants must not contact or attempt to influence jury members about their evaluation outside channels expressly authorised by the Organiser.

Participants are responsible for their own conduct, personal belongings, project decisions and any commitments they make to co-founders, customers, suppliers, investors or third parties. Participants must comply with applicable laws and with reasonable safety, venue and platform instructions.

Participants must promptly report any accident, safety concern, damage or serious incident connected with a Programme activity to info@dockstartuplab.com. Participants may be responsible for damage or loss they cause through unlawful conduct, negligence or breach of these Rules, subject to applicable law.

Nothing in these Rules excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law. The Organiser’s responsibility, if any, will be determined in accordance with applicable law and any applicable written terms.

The Organiser will process applicants’ and participants’ personal data in accordance with applicable data-protection law and the privacy notice provided for the Programme. The privacy notice should explain the purposes, legal bases, retention periods, recipients, participants’ rights and contact details of the relevant data controller.

Photography, video or audio recordings at Programme activities, and any use of a participant’s image, voice, name or statements for communications or promotional purposes, will be handled in accordance with the applicable privacy notice and any separate consent or other legal basis required by law. The Organiser may use photographs and recordings of participants solely to promote new editions of Dock Startup Lab, and not to promote any individual participant, subject to the applicable privacy notice and any separate consent or other legal basis required by law.

A participant may withdraw by notifying the Organiser in writing at info@dockstartuplab.com. Participants are encouraged to provide reasonable notice so the Organiser and their team can plan accordingly.

The Organiser may suspend or remove a participant who materially breaches these Rules, provides materially false information, repeatedly fails to meet mandatory participation requirements, engages in misconduct, or otherwise substantially disrupts the Programme or harms the safety or legitimate interests of others. Where appropriate, the Organiser may first issue a warning and allow the participant an opportunity to respond. The Organiser may remove a participant immediately where reasonably necessary to address a serious safety, legal or conduct concern.

A participant’s withdrawal or removal does not automatically determine ownership of any team project or intellectual property. Those matters remain subject to applicable law and any agreements between the relevant participants.

The Organiser may update these Rules where reasonably necessary, including to reflect changes to the Programme or applicable law. Any material amendment will be communicated to participants through the Programme’s official WhatsApp group, email and/or LMS platform, and will apply from the date stated in the notice, subject to applicable law.

Programme information, schedules, instructions and learning materials may be communicated or made available through the official WhatsApp group, email and/or LMS platform. Participants are responsible for keeping their contact details up to date and checking these official channels regularly.

Questions, notices and requests concerning the Programme should be sent to info@dockstartuplab.com.

These Rules and participation in the Programme are governed by Italian law. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Rules shall be submitted to the competent courts in Rome, Italy, without prejudice to any mandatory rights or protections that apply to a participant under applicable law.

By accepting a place in the Programme, the participant confirms that they have read and agree to these Rules and to the Programme privacy notice. Any consent required for optional activities, photography, recordings or promotional use will be requested separately where required by law.