Terms of Service
Please read these terms carefully before using The Circle Global platform.
Last updated: April 2026
Contents
These Terms govern your access to and use of The Circle Global platform. By creating an account or using the platform, you are entering into a legal agreement with The Circle Global. If you have questions, contact us at legal@thecircleafrica.com.
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using The Circle Global platform ("the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform. These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access the Platform.
2. Description of Service
The Circle Global is a Pan-African social enterprise platform that identifies, validates, amplifies, and connects grassroot innovations with local funders, philanthropists, and corporates across Africa. The Platform allows Innovators to submit innovations, Validators to review submissions, Funders to express interest in innovations, and all users to discover validated innovations.
3. User Accounts
You must create an account to access certain features of the Platform. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to notify us immediately at legal@thecircleafrica.com of any unauthorized use of your account. We reserve the right to terminate accounts that violate these Terms.
4. User Roles and Permissions
The Platform supports multiple user roles including Innovator, Scout, Validator, Funder, Corporate, Policymaker, and Admin. Each role carries specific permissions and responsibilities. Role assignments are made at registration or by Platform administrators. Misrepresenting your role or qualifications is a violation of these Terms.
5. Innovation Submissions
By submitting an innovation to the Platform, you represent that: (a) you have the right to share the information submitted; (b) the information is accurate and not misleading; (c) the submission does not infringe any third-party intellectual property rights; and (d) you grant The Circle Global a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display, share, and promote the innovation on the Platform and in associated materials.
6. Intellectual Property
All content on the Platform, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, and software, is the property of The Circle Global or its content suppliers and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. Innovation content submitted by users remains the intellectual property of the respective innovators. The Circle Global claims no ownership over user-submitted innovations.
7. Validation Process
The Circle Global employs expert validators to assess submitted innovations using a standardized rubric. Validation scores are advisory in nature and do not constitute endorsement or guarantee of commercial viability. Validation outcomes are final subject to an appeal process described in the Platform's help documentation. Validators must maintain independence and declare any conflicts of interest.
8. Funding Expressions of Interest
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) submitted through the Platform are non-binding expressions of potential funding intent. The Circle Global does not guarantee that any EOI will result in actual funding. Any funding arrangements entered into between Funders and Innovators are conducted independently of the Platform, and The Circle Global bears no responsibility for the outcome of such arrangements.
9. Prohibited Conduct
You agree not to: (a) submit false, misleading, or fraudulent information; (b) impersonate another person or entity; (c) use the Platform to spam, harass, or engage in any unlawful activity; (d) attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Platform; (e) scrape, crawl, or automated-harvest Platform data without prior written consent; (f) engage in any activity that disrupts or interferes with the Platform's functionality.
10. Privacy
Your use of the Platform is also subject to our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy.
11. Disclaimer of Warranties
The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. The Circle Global does not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information on the Platform.
12. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, The Circle Global shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, or goodwill, arising out of or in connection with your use of the Platform. Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the Platform shall not exceed the amount paid by you, if any, to access the Platform in the 12 months preceding the claim.
13. Modifications to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of significant changes by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page and, where appropriate, by notifying you via email. Your continued use of the Platform after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.
14. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Kenya, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Nairobi, Kenya.
15. Contact
If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at legal@thecircleafrica.com or by writing to: The Circle Global, Nairobi, Kenya.