Terms of Service

1. About SnapStarts

SnapStarts is an AI-powered platform that helps college students and young entrepreneurs create and monetize daily email newsletters. By using our platform, you agree to these terms. SnapStarts is built as an XPRIZE hackathon project and is provided "as is" for educational and demonstration purposes.

2. Account Registration

To create an email business on SnapStarts, you must register with a valid email address. You agree to provide accurate information and keep your credentials secure. You are responsible for all activity under your account.

3. Creating and Managing Your Email Business

You may create one or more email newsletter projects through the platform. Each project must comply with these terms and all applicable laws. You retain ownership of your content and are responsible for its accuracy and legality. SnapStarts may suspend or terminate projects that violate these terms or applicable law.

When you create a project, you control its niche, branding, and content direction. The AI-generated content is a starting point — you are responsible for reviewing and customizing it.

4. Subscriptions and Payments (Stripe Connect)

SnapStarts uses Stripe Connect to process subscription payments. If you choose to monetize your newsletter:

• You must connect a valid Stripe Standard Connect account in good standing.
• Subscribers pay $5/month (or your configured amount) for premium access to your newsletter.
• SnapStarts retains a platform fee (default 10%) from each transaction. The remaining amount is paid out to you via Stripe's standard payout schedule.
• Stripe's terms of service apply to payment processing. SnapStarts is not a payment processor — we use Stripe as our payment infrastructure partner.
• You are responsible for ensuring your monetization setup complies with applicable tax and financial regulations in your jurisdiction.

5. Age Requirements and Guardian Approval

SnapStarts is intended for college students and young entrepreneurs. If you are under 18 years of age:

• You must obtain verifiable parental or guardian approval before activating monetization.
• Guardian approval is confirmed by having a parent or guardian accept these terms on your behalf or via a documented consent process.
• SnapStarts reserves the right to require age verification at any time and to suspend monetization features until appropriate approval is provided.

6. Content Standards

All newsletters created on SnapStarts must:

• Be original or properly licensed/attributed content.
• Not contain defamatory, hateful, violent, or illegal content.
• Not impersonate any person or organization.
• Not send spam or unsolicited commercial email.

Violations may result in immediate account suspension and termination of your projects without refund of any fees paid.

7. Email Deliverability

SnapStarts uses the Resend API to deliver emails. Deliverability depends on multiple factors including subscriber email addresses, content quality, and sending reputation. We make reasonable efforts to ensure deliverability but cannot guarantee inbox placement. You agree to follow email best practices to maintain deliverability standards.

8. Data and Privacy

Your personal data is handled according to our Privacy Policy. We collect email addresses, project data, and usage information to operate the service. We do not sell personal data to third parties. Subscriber email addresses are used solely for delivering your newsletter content and related service communications.

9. Platform Changes and Availability

SnapStarts is under active development as an XPRIZE project. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the service at any time with or without notice. We do not guarantee uninterrupted availability. Updates to the platform and these terms may occur as the project evolves.

10. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

SnapStarts is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind. We make no guarantees about the performance, revenue, or success of any newsletter created using our platform. In no event shall SnapStarts or its operators be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of the platform.

11. Termination

You may close your account and delete your projects at any time through the dashboard. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, applicable law, or the rights of others. Upon termination, all active subscriptions will be canceled and subscriber data will be handled per our Privacy Policy.

12. Contact

For questions about these terms, please contact: support@snapstarts.com