Participation Terms

The Challenge is a public format. Your TikTok entry video, profile information, name, photo, startup name, pitch, story and related materials may be shown publicly on TikTok, heyco.ch, the Challenge pages, social media, press, newsletters and other channels — without further approval for each use related to the Challenge.

You understand that comments, shares, duets, stitches, screenshots and third-party reactions are outside our full control. You post and apply at your own risk regarding public visibility and reputation.

You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter binding agreements. The Challenge targets early-stage founders in Switzerland, Germany, Austria or Liechtenstein — typically a solo founder or a duo (max. two people) with an early idea or early product. We may refuse applications that do not fit these commercial/early-stage criteria or that breach these terms.

Employees of Snatch Co. AG / HeyCo and close family members involved in Challenge administration are excluded unless we state otherwise in writing.

A valid application requires: (a) a TikTok video of max. 90 seconds, (b) the required opening line in substance, (c) the hashtag #buildwithheyco, (d) a working public link to that video in the application form, and (e) acceptance of these terms. No video link — no application.

Applications are open until the published Season deadline. There is no hard spot cap. After the deadline we may select a Top 20 shortlist and continue the published process. We are not obliged to fill every shortlist stage or select a winner.

You warrant that you own all rights in your entry (or have all permissions needed), including music, images, logos, faces of other people, and trademarks, and that your content does not infringe third-party rights or applicable law.

You grant HeyCo and Snatch Co. AG a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable license to use, host, reproduce, edit (for length/format/subtitles), publish, distribute and publicly perform your entry video, name, likeness, voice, biography, startup information and related application materials for Challenge operation, marketing, PR, documentation and archive — including on TikTok and other platforms — for the duration of applicable protection periods, or at least for 5 years from application, whichever is longer where allowed.

You keep ownership of your IP in your idea/product. This license does not transfer your startup equity. Any collaboration, investment or equity with a finalist/winner will be agreed separately in writing.

We may reject, remove or disqualify any entry or participant at our reasonable discretion, including for illegal, hateful, pornographic, defamatory, deceptive, spammy or brand-damaging content; fake engagement; multiple abusive applications; or breach of these terms or TikTok rules.

You will not present HeyCo as guaranteeing funding, employment, equity terms, revenue outcomes or selection.

Support “worth up to CHF/EUR 50’000” (or any stated package) describes a possible collaboration value, not a cash prize claim and not a fixed entitlement. Scope, timing and form of support — if any — depend on selection and a separate agreement.

Selection decisions (including Top 20 and later stages) are at HeyCo’s sole discretion, may involve community input, and are final insofar as legally permitted. There is no right to justification beyond what we choose to publish.

TikTok is an independent platform. Their terms, algorithms, moderation, outages, takedowns and account bans are outside our responsibility. We are not liable for TikTok decisions affecting your video reach, visibility or account.

To the fullest extent permitted by Swiss law, HeyCo / Snatch Co. AG and their officers, employees, contractors and partners are not liable for indirect, consequential, reputational or lost-profit damages arising from the Challenge, public posts, non-selection, or use of your content as allowed herein. Mandatory liability (e.g. for unlawful intent or gross negligence, or for injury to life/body/health where applicable) remains unaffected.

You indemnify and hold harmless HeyCo / Snatch Co. AG and the persons above against claims by third parties arising from your content, your warrants, or your participation, including reasonable legal costs — except to the extent caused by our unlawful intent or gross negligence.

We process application data to run the Challenge, contact you, display public profiles and document the process. Details: Privacy Notice at /founder-challenge/privacy (and the general policy at heyco.ch/datenschutz). Because the Challenge is public, information you submit for display may remain visible even after the Season ends.

We may update these terms or Challenge rules if needed for legal, safety or operational reasons. The version accepted at application applies to that entry, unless a mandatory change must apply to everyone. Material updates will be posted on the Challenge site.

Swiss law applies, excluding conflict-of-law rules. Exclusive venue is the competent courts at the seat of Snatch Co. AG (Biel/Bienne), unless mandatory consumer rules require otherwise.

Contact: team@heyco.ch · Imprint: heyco.ch/impressum