Terms of Use

By registering for or participating in the Valchy AI Hackathon ("Event"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not register or participate in the Event.

The Valchy AI Hackathon is a hackathon event focused on artificial intelligence innovation, taking place October 11-12, 2025, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event is organized by Valchy AI.

• Duration: 32 hours of intensive development
• Focus: AI-powered solutions and innovation
• Format: In-person collaborative event
• Prizes: Cash prizes and career opportunities

To participate in the Event, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old (participants under 18 need parental consent)
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Have the legal right to participate in competitions in Bulgaria
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

Registration is free but limited. We reserve the right to refuse registration or participation at our sole discretion.

All participants must adhere to our Code of Conduct:

• Respect: Treat all participants, organizers, and partners with respect
• Collaboration: Foster an inclusive and collaborative environment
• Fair Play: Compete fairly and honestly
• No Harassment: Zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior
• Professional Conduct: Maintain professional standards in all interactions

Violations may result in immediate disqualification and removal from the Event.

Your Work:

• You retain full ownership of all intellectual property you create during the Event
• You are responsible for ensuring you have rights to use any third-party code, APIs, or resources
• By participating, you grant us a non-exclusive license to showcase your work for promotional purposes

Event Materials:

• All Event materials, branding, and content are owned by Valchy AI
• You may not use our trademarks or branding without written permission

Prize information (Total prize pool: 850+ BGN in prizes and merch):

• 1st Place: 500 BGN cash prize + Career opportunity with Valchy AI
• 2nd Place: Mentorship + Exclusive merch + Internship possibility
• 3rd Place: Exclusive merch + Mentorship sessions

Prize terms:

• Prizes are awarded based on judging panel decisions, which are final
• Winners must be present at the award ceremony to claim prizes
• Taxes on prizes are the responsibility of winners
• Career opportunities are subject to separate terms and availability
• Prizes have no cash alternative and are non-transferable

Competition rules:

• Teams can have up to 3 members
• You may use existing code, libraries, and APIs (must be disclosed)
• Projects must be primarily developed during the Event timeframe
• All submissions must be original work of the team
• Final submissions must be completed by the specified deadline

Prohibited activities:

• Submitting pre-built or substantially pre-existing projects
• Plagiarism or copying other participants' work
• Violating any third-party terms of service or licenses
• Creating malicious, harmful, or illegal content

By participating, you consent to:

• Photography and videography during the Event
• Use of your likeness in Event marketing and promotional materials
• Sharing of your project information and demo videos
• Social media posts featuring Event activities

If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform Event staff.

Event Participation: You participate at your own risk. We are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damages arising from Event participation.

Technical Issues: We are not responsible for technical failures, internet connectivity issues, or equipment problems.

Third-Party Services: We are not responsible for third-party APIs, services, or tools used during the Event.

Force Majeure: We reserve the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the Event due to circumstances beyond our control.

By registering for the Event, you provide consent for the following communication practices under GDPR Article 6:

Communication Methods:

• Phone Contact: Essential updates, coordination, and participation confirmations (contract basis)
• Email Communications: Instructions, schedules, announcements, and follow-up information
• SMS/Text Messages: Urgent safety updates during the event (legitimate interest)
• Event Platform Messages: Communications through our event management platforms

Communication Frequency:

• Pre-event: Preparation materials and instructions (1-3 messages per week)
• During event: Real-time updates and coordination (as needed for safety/logistics)
• Post-event: Follow-up surveys and future event invitations (consent-based, opt-in)
• Emergency communications: Immediate contact for urgent safety matters

GDPR-Compliant Consent Management:

We are committed to full compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Bulgarian data protection laws. Please review our Privacy Policy for comprehensive information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

Data Protection Commitments:

• No Data Sale: We never sell, rent, or share your personal information for commercial purposes
• EU Data Protection: Data processed within EU with appropriate safeguards for any transfers
• Secure Storage: Enterprise-grade encryption and security measures (AES-256, SOC 2 Type II)
• Limited Access: Strict access controls - only authorized event organizers
• Response Guarantee: 30-day response to all data rights requests
• Supervisory Authority: Subject to Bulgarian Commission for Personal Data Protection oversight

We reserve the right to:

• Modify these Terms at any time with notice
• Change Event details, schedule, or format if necessary
• Disqualify participants who violate these Terms
• Cancel or postpone the Event due to unforeseen circumstances

These Terms are governed by the laws of Bulgaria and the European Union, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of Sofia, Bulgaria, while respecting your rights under EU consumer protection and data protection laws.

For questions about these Terms or the Event, contact us: