TheFactory Code of Conduct & Rules of Engagement

TheFactory is built on the belief that strong ecosystems are created through trust, integrity, openness and respect.

This Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement applies to everyone engaging with TheFactory, including startups, founders, members, investors, mentors, corporates, partners, event participants, guests and employees.

Our ambition is to create a professional, inclusive and constructive environment where people can meet, learn, share ideas, explore opportunities and build companies — without pressure, harassment, hidden agendas or unnecessary friction.

1. Our principles

TheFactory connects startups with investors, mentors, partners, corporates and other founders. These relationships work best when everyone acts with honesty, transparency and mutual respect.

We expect all parties engaging with TheFactory to:

  • Treat others with respect and professionalism

  • Act with integrity and good intentions

  • Be open about relevant roles, interests and potential conflicts

  • Respect confidential information

  • Avoid misleading behaviour or hidden agendas

  • Contribute to a positive and inclusive ecosystem

  • Speak up if something feels unclear, unfair or inappropriate

We encourage open dialogue and believe most issues can be resolved early through transparency, good communication and mutual respect.

2. A harassment-free environment

TheFactory is committed to creating a safe, welcoming and harassment-free environment for everyone.

This applies to all our activities, including accelerator programs, investor meetings, workshops, conferences, demo days, social gatherings, hackathons, seminars, digital platforms and informal meetings connected to TheFactory.

We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, intimidation, bullying, abusive behaviour or personal attacks.

This includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate comments or behaviour related to gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political views, appearance, professional background or personal circumstances.

Everyone should be able to participate in TheFactory’s activities without feeling uncomfortable, excluded, pressured or unsafe.

3. Expectations for investors, mentors, corporates and partners

Investors, mentors, corporates and partners play an important role in the startup ecosystem. With that role comes a responsibility to act fairly, transparently and professionally.

We expect investors, mentors, corporates and partners to:

  • Be clear about their intentions when engaging with startups

  • Avoid fishing for information without a genuine purpose

  • Not mislead founders about investment interest, commercial opportunities, partnerships or decision-making authority

  • Respect the founder’s time, stage and priorities

  • Be transparent about relevant conflicts of interest

  • Avoid engaging in processes where a known conflict may compromise trust or fairness

  • Treat startup information with care and discretion

  • Avoid pressuring founders to share more than they are comfortable sharing

Startups are often operating with limited time, resources and runway. We therefore expect all established actors to be mindful, respectful and constructive in their interactions.

4. Expectations for startups and founders

We encourage founders to be open, curious and proactive when engaging with investors, mentors, corporates and partners. At the same time, founders should make conscious decisions about what information they share, with whom, and at what stage.

We expect startups and founders to:

  • Communicate honestly about their company, product, traction and challenges

  • Respect the time and role of mentors, investors, partners and other ecosystem participants

  • Be mindful of confidentiality, especially when discussing customers, technology, commercial agreements or other sensitive information

  • Be open about relevant conflicts of interest

  • Understand that larger organisations may have longer decision-making processes and more complex internal structures

  • Seek clarification when expectations, roles or next steps are unclear

Founders should not feel pressured to share confidential information before they are comfortable doing so or before appropriate protections are in place.

5. Confidentiality and sensitive information

Many conversations at TheFactory involve ideas, business models, technology, customers, fundraising, strategy and other commercially sensitive topics.

All parties are expected to treat such information responsibly.

If business secrets, technical details, intellectual property, customer data or other sensitive information are to be discussed, we recommend that the parties consider using a non-disclosure agreement or other appropriate written agreement before sharing detailed confidential information.

TheFactory does not assume responsibility for confidential information shared between third parties unless this has been separately agreed in writing.

6. Conflicts of interest

Conflicts of interest may arise when investors, mentors, corporates, partners, employees or startups have overlapping roles, competing interests or access to sensitive information.

Where a potential conflict of interest exists, it should be disclosed as early as possible.

No party should use information, access or relationships obtained through TheFactory in a way that unfairly benefits themselves or harms another participant in the ecosystem.

Transparency is the best starting point for handling conflicts in a fair and constructive way.

7. Events and community behaviour

TheFactory’s events and community activities are designed to create learning, connection, collaboration and opportunity.

We expect all participants to contribute to a positive atmosphere by:

  • Being respectful in conversations and discussions

  • Listening actively and allowing others to participate

  • Avoiding disruptive behaviour

  • Respecting event formats, speakers, organisers and other attendees

  • Avoiding aggressive sales tactics or unsolicited pressure

  • Following instructions from event organisers and TheFactory representatives

We reserve the right to remove participants from events or digital channels if they behave in a way that violates this Code of Conduct or negatively affects the experience of others.

8. Reporting concerns

If you experience or witness behaviour that does not align with this Code of Conduct, we encourage you to contact TheFactory.

Reports will be treated seriously and handled with discretion.

You may contact us at:
[insert contact email]

TheFactory may take appropriate action where needed, including addressing the issue directly, limiting participation in activities, removing individuals from events or ending a collaboration.

9. Our shared responsibility

TheFactory is more than a platform. It is a community of founders, investors, mentors, partners and people who believe in building something new.

For that community to work, everyone must contribute to a culture of trust, respect, openness and professionalism.

By engaging with TheFactory, you agree to follow this Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement and to help us create an ecosystem where ambitious people can meet, share, challenge, learn and build — in the right way.