Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction
Welcome to FNBX (Food & Beverage Exchange). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of our website located at www.foodbeverageexchange.com (the "Platform") and the services provided therein, including The Newsroom, The Exchange, The Insight Lab, The Agenda, Launch Pad, and The Podium.

By creating an account or accessing the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use FNBX.

Disclaimer
This site is operated by FNBX (The Food & Beverage Exchange). FNBX is a professional networking and information ecosystem and is not a registered broker-dealer, investment advisor, or legal consultancy. FNBX does not provide investment advice, endorsements, analyses, or recommendations with respect to any companies, products, or securities.

A significant portion of the content on this platform, including posts on "The Exchange" and "Launch Pad," is generated by third-party users. All such information is the sole responsibility of the person or entity who posted it. FNBX does not fact-check, verify, or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information, news, or claims posted by users.

FNBX makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the adequacy or accuracy of any information on this site. Reliance on any information provided by other users is solely at your own risk. By accessing this site, you agree to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

2. Definitions

"We", "Us", "Our": Refers to FNBX (and its parent entity).
"User", "You": Refers to any individual or business entity accessing the Platform.
"Content": Text, images, video, audio, and data.
"UGC": User-Generated Content posted by you on The Exchange or Launch Pad.

3. Account Registration
3.1. To access certain features (The Exchange, Awards Entry), you must register an account. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information.
3.2. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials. You accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account.
3.3. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or "spam" the community.

4. User-Generated Content (The Exchange)
4.1. Ownership: You retain ownership of the content (videos, posts, comments) you post on The Exchange.
4.2. License: By posting UGC, you grant FNBX a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your content in connection with the Platform’s marketing and operation (e.g., featuring a popular post in our newsletter).
4.3. Conduct: You agree NOT to post content that is:

False, misleading, or defamatory.
Infringing on another’s intellectual property.
Harassing, hateful, or explicit.
Unverified health claims or food safety advice that could cause harm.

4.4. Monitoring: We are under no obligation to monitor UGC but reserve the right to remove any content at our sole discretion without notice.

5. The Launch Pad (Investment & Startups)
NO FINANCIAL ADVICE IS PROVIDED ON THIS PLATFORM.
5.1. No Broker-Dealer Status: FNBX is a networking platform, not a registered broker-dealer, investment advisor, or crowdfunding portal. We do not facilitate the exchange of money for securities.
5.2. Information Only: Profiles listed on Launch Pad are for informational purposes only. FNBX does not verify the accuracy of financial data, pitch decks, or claims made by startups.
5.3. Risk: Investors and startups connect at their own risk. You are solely responsible for your own due diligence. FNBX is not liable for any financial loss resulting from connections made on the Platform.

6. Awards & Events
6.1. Entry Fees: Fees paid to enter awards (e.g., The World Café Awards) cover administrative and judging costs. These fees are non-refundable, even if your entry is not shortlisted or does not win.
6.2. Entrant Data: By entering an award, you agree that your entry data may be shared with our specific Event Partners for the purposes of the event and exhibition sales.
6.3. Disqualification: FNBX reserves the right to disqualify any entry that includes false information or plagiarised products, with no refund given.

7. Intellectual Property
7.1. All content provided by FNBX (The Newsroom articles, the FNBX logo, the awards icon, and site design) is owned by FNBX and protected by copyright laws.
7.2. You may not scrape, copy, or reproduce our proprietary content without written permission.

8. Disclaimers
8.1. No Warranty: The Platform is provided "as is." We do not guarantee that the site will be error-free, secure, or uninterrupted.
8.2. Third-Party Links: We are not responsible for the content of third-party websites linked within The Exchange or Newsroom.

9. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by English law:
9.1. FNBX shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages (including loss of profits, data, or goodwill) arising from your use of the Platform.
9.2. Our total liability for any claim arising out of these Terms is limited to the amount you paid us to use the specific service (e.g., the specific Aw
ard Entry Fee) in the 12 months preceding the claim.

10. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Bristol or London, United Kingdom.

11. Data
We collect your personal data when you sign up to FNBX and our website features, contact us via email or phone, enter our awards or sign up to our newsletters. We take every reasonable precaution to protect your privacy by utilising appropriate security technology. We ensure that adequate security measures are in place to protect your personal information within our own systems, and we strictly require that any external organisations we partner with or employ to provide services also maintain appropriate security protocols to safeguard your data.
We do not knowingly collect or store any personal information from children under the age of 16. If you are under the age of 16, please do not submit any personal information through our website or services.
We use WIX to host the FNBX platform. Wix deploys and maintains technical and organisational security measures to protect the company’s and our customers’ data and assets. The Wix security team leads the facilitation and development of procedures, processes and controls that govern the security and integrity of Wix and our users. Please view the full security whitepaper for more information.
You have the right to cancel your registration and leave the platform at any time. You may delete your account directly by logging in, navigating to your Account Settings, and selecting the option to delete your profile. Alternatively, you can request manual account removal by emailing us at contact@foodbeverageexhange.com, and we will process the deletion of your data in accordance with our retention policies.

The Podium

Terms and Conditions of Entry:

1. Eligibility & Entry Requirements

Commercial Availability: All submitted products must be commercially available to consumers (via retail or direct-to-consumer online) at the time of judging. Concept-only products are not eligible unless specifically stated in the category description.
Safety & Compliance: By entering, the entrant guarantees that the product complies with all local and national food safety regulations and labelling laws of its country of origin.
Functional Claims: Entrants are solely responsible for the accuracy of any health, nutritional, or functional claims made about their product. FNBX and The Podium do not independently verify laboratory claims and bear no liability for inaccurate product marketing.
Modifying an Entry: If any changes or corrections need to be made to an entry after it has been started or submitted, the entrant must contact us directly to request the update.
Right to Reassign: FNBX reserves the right to remove an entry.

2. Fees, Deadlines, and Refunds

Payment & Submission: Entries can be purchased at any time before the deadline. However, purchasing an entry does not constitute a submission; the entry form itself must be fully completed and submitted before the stated deadline.
Refund Policy: Entry fees are strictly non-refundable. This policy applies to disqualified entries, withdrawn entries, and entries that are purchased but not submitted by the entry deadline.
Trophies: Physical trophies may incur additional costs for postage; we do not guarantee trophies to arrive in perfect condition, and damaged trophies may incur fees.

3. Product Samples & Shipping (If Applicable)

Shipping Costs: Entrants are 100% responsible for all shipping, handling, and customs/duty fees associated with sending product samples, should physical samples be required for your specific category. (Please check each award for more information).
Perishable Goods: If a product requires refrigeration, it must be shipped accordingly. FNBX is not responsible for products that arrive spoiled, melted, or otherwise compromised.

4. The Judging Process

Online Judging: All entries are judged exclusively by our independent panel of industry experts online, via The Podium platform.
Final Decisions: All decisions made by the FNBX judging panel are final and binding. FNBX is not required to provide individualised feedback or scorecards for non-winning entries.

5. Intellectual Property & Marketing Rights

Embargoes & Publication: FNBX highlights entries online. If you do not want your product or entry details published online (e.g., if it is a pre-launch product), the entry must be explicitly marked as "under embargo" upon submission.
Promotional Use: By entering (and unless marked under embargo), brands grant FNBX and The Podium the right to use their company name, product name, logo, and submitted images for promotional purposes across the FNBX website, social media, and press materials.
Badge & Logo Usage: The promotional materials and logos provided to finalists and winners are intended for standard marketing purposes only. Entrants must contact us to receive explicit permission before using the award logo on physical product branding or packaging. FNBX reserves the right to revoke badge usage if a brand alters the design or misrepresents their win.

6. Limitation of Liability

FNBX, The Podium, its organisers, and its judges shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury associated with the submission, testing, or consumption of entered products.
FNBX is not responsible for lost, delayed, or misdirected shipments.

The Newsroom

The Insight Lab

The Exchange

Company Directory

The Agenda

The Podium

Terms & Conditions

"We", "Us", "Our": Refers to FNBX (and its parent entity).

"User", "You": Refers to any individual or business entity accessing the Platform.

"Content": Text, images, video, audio, and data.

"UGC": User-Generated Content posted by you on The Exchange or Launch Pad.

False, misleading, or defamatory.

Infringing on another’s intellectual property.

Harassing, hateful, or explicit.

Unverified health claims or food safety advice that could cause harm.

The Podium

Terms and Conditions of Entry: 1. Eligibility & Entry Requirements

Commercial Availability: All submitted products must be commercially available to consumers (via retail or direct-to-consumer online) at the time of judging. Concept-only products are not eligible unless specifically stated in the category description.

Safety & Compliance: By entering, the entrant guarantees that the product complies with all local and national food safety regulations and labelling laws of its country of origin.

Functional Claims: Entrants are solely responsible for the accuracy of any health, nutritional, or functional claims made about their product. FNBX and The Podium do not independently verify laboratory claims and bear no liability for inaccurate product marketing.

Modifying an Entry: If any changes or corrections need to be made to an entry after it has been started or submitted, the entrant must contact us directly to request the update.

Right to Reassign: FNBX reserves the right to remove an entry.

2. Fees, Deadlines, and Refunds

Payment & Submission: Entries can be purchased at any time before the deadline. However, purchasing an entry does not constitute a submission; the entry form itself must be fully completed and submitted before the stated deadline.

Refund Policy: Entry fees are strictly non-refundable. This policy applies to disqualified entries, withdrawn entries, and entries that are purchased but not submitted by the entry deadline.

​Trophies: Physical trophies may incur additional costs for postage; we do not guarantee trophies to arrive in perfect condition, and damaged trophies may incur fees.

3. Product Samples & Shipping (If Applicable)

Shipping Costs: Entrants are 100% responsible for all shipping, handling, and customs/duty fees associated with sending product samples, should physical samples be required for your specific category. (Please check each award for more information).

Perishable Goods: If a product requires refrigeration, it must be shipped accordingly. FNBX is not responsible for products that arrive spoiled, melted, or otherwise compromised.

4. The Judging Process

Online Judging: All entries are judged exclusively by our independent panel of industry experts online, via The Podium platform.

Final Decisions: All decisions made by the FNBX judging panel are final and binding. FNBX is not required to provide individualised feedback or scorecards for non-winning entries.

5. Intellectual Property & Marketing Rights

Embargoes & Publication: FNBX highlights entries online. If you do not want your product or entry details published online (e.g., if it is a pre-launch product), the entry must be explicitly marked as "under embargo" upon submission.

Promotional Use: By entering (and unless marked under embargo), brands grant FNBX and The Podium the right to use their company name, product name, logo, and submitted images for promotional purposes across the FNBX website, social media, and press materials.

6. Limitation of Liability

FNBX, The Podium, its organisers, and its judges shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury associated with the submission, testing, or consumption of entered products.

FNBX is not responsible for lost, delayed, or misdirected shipments.

Terms and Conditions of Entry:

1. Eligibility & Entry Requirements

Trophies: Physical trophies may incur additional costs for postage; we do not guarantee trophies to arrive in perfect condition, and damaged trophies may incur fees.