These terms and conditions (the “Terms”) govern the participation in any Axelera AI project challenge as described in clause 1.1 (the “Challenge”) and the access to use any project kit (the “Kit”) which has been made available by Axelera AI B.V. (“Axelera AI”) in relation to the Challenge. By applying, participating, or submitting any content, you agree to and accept the following terms issued by Axelera AI, registered in the Netherlands and headquartered in Eindhoven.
1. Key Terms
1.1 Challenge Name
Pioneer 10: Recognize and React
1.2 Timeline
- Application Period: 15th May - 1st June, 2025
- Participants Selected: 9th-11th June, 2025
- Build Phase: 9th June-13th July, 2025
- Project Submission Deadline: 14th July
- Winners Announced: 18th July
1.3 The Kit
Selected participants who will participate in the Challenge (the “Participants”) may receive access to a Kit consisting of hardware and components. The Kit is provided for Challenge participation only and may be retained by the participant upon completion of the Challenge, at Axelera AI’s discretion.
1.4 Prizes
Subject to Axelera AI’s final decision, Participant could win the following prizes:
- 1st Prize: €1,000
- 2 x Runner-Up Prizes: €500
- Certificates of Completion
2. Eligibility
2.1 Axelera AI is solely entitled to determine the eligibility of the candidates.
2.2 In order for a candidate to qualify as a participant, a candidate must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application. Upon provision of written parental or legal guardians’ acceptance of all rules, terms and conditions, younger candidates may be accepted at Axelera AI’s discretion
2.3 Private individuals or a team of individual persons may be Participants. A team may consist of a maximum of six individuals who collaborate on a single project. Each team must designate a single team representative who will serve as the main point of contact and who will be responsible for submitting the team’s entry on behalf of all team members.
2.4 By participating as a team, each member agrees to be jointly bound by these Terms and affirms that the team representative is authorized to act on behalf of the entire team.
2.5 Participation by corporations or any other types of legal entities is not permitted.
2.6 The Challenge is not open to:
- Citizens or persons located in a country or territory that is the subject of comprehensive sanctions or embargoes imposed by the United Nations, United States, European Union, or any other applicable sanction authority
- Axelera AI employees or their direct family members
- Any party prohibited from entering under employer or local legal restrictions
2.7 Participation must not:
- Violate any employment contract or internal company policy
- Require Axelera AI to obtain special permissions to engage with you
- Breach any third-party terms, including use of brand or IP
3. Application & Participation
3.1 Participants must submit a complete proposal outlining their project idea and intended outcome using Axelera AI technology.
3.2 Participants agree to:
- Develop the proposed project during the build phase
- Adapt their project in case of technical limitations due to any reason, in such way which serves best to correspond with the original project as initially intended by the Participant instead of submitting a new project.
- Post regular updates and submit a final write-up, video, and/or code used in their proposed project on the Axelera AI community (https://community.axelera.ai/groups/project-challenge-recognize-and-react-27) demonstrating the project in full operation
- Use the Kit solely for project development purposes
- Adhere to all applicable health and safety guidelines for provided equipment, and any other equipment or materials used as part of their participation in the Challenge
3.3 Participants may be asked to return the Kit if unable to complete the Challenge or if in breach of these Terms.
4. Game of Skill Declaration
This Challenge is a game of skill. Chance plays no part in determining winners or recipients of the Kit. Selection is based solely on the quality, creativity, and technical merit of the submitted project proposals and final outputs.
5. No Purchase Necessary
Participation in the Challenge is free. No purchase or payment is required to participate in the Challenge.
6. Use of the Kit
6.1 The Kit is provided “as-is”, for Challenge use only. It remains the property of Axelera AI unless otherwise communicated in writing.
6.2 Participants may not:
- Resell or redistribute Kit components
- Modify, damage, or misuse the Kit or any equipment in a way that voids warranties or creates safety risks
6.3 Axelera AI makes no guarantees about the Kit’s performance or functionality beyond the Challenge.
7. Content Ownership & Licensing
7.1 Participants retain full ownership of their original projects and the corresponding pre-existing intellectual property.
7.2 The Participant hereby agrees that Axelera AI shall have the first right to purchase from the Participant, including, but not limited to, the original projects, and intellectual property which have been developed in relation to the Challenge.
7.3 By participating, Participants grant Axelera AI a worldwide, royalty-free, transferable, irrevocable, and perpetual license to:
- Use, display, adapt, and promote the project-related materials and submitted content in any way related to the Challenge (images, code, videos, write-ups, etc.)
- Reproduce and distribute the project for demonstration or promotional purposes
- Feature the project in marketing, product showcases, and social media
7.4 Axelera AI is further entitled to grant sublicenses with respect to the project-related materials to third parties, including but not limited, to affiliates, subcontractors, service providers, clients, and end-users.
7.5 Notwithstanding clause 7.1, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that Axelera AI owns all rights, title, and interest in any Axelera’s AI pre-existing intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyrights, trademarks, design rights, patents, trade secrets, and any other similar proprietary rights, in any materials, deliverables, inventions, works of authorship, software (including source code) or data delivered by Axelera AI to the Participant during the performance of the Challenge (the “Deliverables”).
7.6 The Participant shall have no ownership rights nor any claim to any such Deliverables, but is granted a limited, non-transferable and fully revocable license to use such Deliverables solely in connection with the purpose of the Challenge.
7.7 Axelera AI is not liable for any misuse or loss of materials submitted as part of the Challenge.
8. Permissions & Third-Party Content
8.1 Participants are responsible for:
- Securing any required permissions to use third-party brands, locations, logos, people, music, footage, or other materials
- Ensuring their project does not infringe on any third-party rights
- Ensuring they have the right to submit their project to the contest
- Ensuring there are no legal claims or disputes pending in any way related to their project
8.2 Axelera AI disclaims all liability related to unauthorized use of protected, copyrighted, or third-party materials.
9. Judging & Prizes
9.1 Judging will be conducted by Axelera AI’s staff or appointed experts.
9.2 Winners will be selected based on:
- Originality & creativity
- Technical merit
- Relevance to the Challenge theme
- Completeness of documentation
- Clarity and quality of presentation
9.3 All judging decisions are final. Axelera AI reserves the right to withhold prizes if submissions do not meet a reasonable quality standard.
9.4 Prizes are provided “as-is”, non-transferable, and may not be exchanged for cash. Winners are responsible for any local taxes, duties, or reporting obligations.
10. Code of Conduct
10.1 Participants agree to:
- Behave professionally in all interactions
- Refrain from posting offensive, illegal, unsafe, or discriminatory content
- Engage respectfully with other community members
10.2 Axelera AI reserves the right to remove or disqualify participants in the event of:
- misconduct or breach of these Terms
- the Participant has plagiarized others’ projects
11. Liability & Indemnity
11.1 Axelera AI accepts no responsibility and will not be liable under any circumstances for:
- Personal injury, data loss, or property damage arising from out of the Challenge
- Delays, delivery issues, or customs problems related to the Kit or prizes
- Legal consequences from unauthorized use of third-party content
11.2 Participants use all equipment and resources at their own risk and in responsible manner.
11.3 Participant agrees to indemnify and to keep Axelera AI indemnified at all times from and against any and all liabilities, actions, claims, suits, demands, proceedings, losses, damages, costs, fees (including legal fees), and expenses arising or resulting from:
- Any act, default, or omission of the Participant
- A breach of any provision of these Terms by the Participant
- Any third party claim arising from the project in relation to the Challenge
- Breach of any applicable law, regulation, or codes of conduct in the country/region from which the Participant is entering the Challenge
12. Amendments & Termination
12.1 Axelera AI reserves the right to terminate, cancel, modify, or amend the Challenge, these Terms, or the participant agreement at any time.
12.2 Updated Terms will be made available at: https://community.axelera.ai
13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Netherlands. Any disputes arising in connection with the Challenge will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Dutch courts in Eindhoven.