1. Introduction
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of the Boardly platform, operated by Boardly Limited (Company Number 15136616), with its registered office at 1st Floor, Gallery Court, 28 Arcadia Avenue, London, United Kingdom, N3 2FG. By accessing or using the platform, you agree to these Terms.
2. Definitions
“Client” means any user from a startup or organisation seeking to engage a board member or advisor through Boardly. “Candidate” means a Non-Executive Director, Chair, Advisor, or Fractional Leader listed on the platform. “User” means any individual or organisation with a registered account on Boardly.
3. Platform Use
You agree to use Boardly for its intended purpose: discovering and engaging qualified board-level candidates. Any misuse, scraping, or unauthorised commercial use of the platform is strictly prohibited.
4. Eligibility
Users must be at least 18 years old and have legal capacity to enter into these Terms. Organisations must ensure the individual creating an account is authorised to act on their behalf.
5. Matching & Engagements
Boardly facilitates introductions between Clients and Candidates based on criteria submitted by both parties. Boardly does not guarantee the success of any engagement. Final decisions on who to engage are made solely by the Client.
6. Payment Holding & Disbursement
Boardly uses Stripe Connect to collect and distribute payments. In fractional roles, funds are held in a secure balance until the Candidate confirms completion of the agreed days, or until a pre-agreed date. Any disputes regarding completion must be reported to Boardly within five days. Boardly does not operate a formal escrow service, and any funds held are subject to Stripe Connect’s terms.
7. Fees
Fees are clearly displayed to Clients prior to engagement. In fractional roles, Clients pay the Candidate’s day rate plus Boardly’s platform fee. In full board roles, Clients pay a flat success fee to unlock access to Candidates.
8. Refunds
If a Client does not successfully match with a Candidate within 90 days of role creation, and no introductions have progressed to engagement, a refund of any applicable fees will be granted. Refunds will not be issued if Candidate information has been accessed, introductions made, or interviews initiated. Any decision to refund is subject to verification by Boardly’s team.
9. AI and Summaries
Matching insights, including algorithmic scores or summaries, are provided for guidance only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for independent due diligence. Boardly does not use AI to make automated hiring decisions. AI-generated outputs are reviewed and curated by Boardly’s team as part of a broader human-led matching process.
10. Confidentiality
Users agree to treat any confidential information shared through the platform — including company materials, candidate bios, and strategic details — with discretion and not disclose it to third parties without consent.
11. Non-Circumvention
Users may not use Boardly to identify a match and then circumvent the platform by engaging directly without payment of applicable fees. Breach of this clause may result in account suspension and legal action. If Boardly determines that a Candidate and any representative of a Startup (including Founders, hiring managers, or other team members) have engaged outside the platform in circumvention of applicable fees, a liquidated damages fee of £20,000 will be payable to Boardly. This reflects a reasonable pre-estimate of lost revenue due to circumvention.
12. Liability and Indemnity
Boardly accepts no liability for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from platform use. Users agree to indemnify and hold Boardly harmless from all claims, losses, or liabilities arising out of any engagement initiated through the platform.
13. Termination
Boardly may terminate or suspend access to the platform at any time for breach of these Terms or suspected misuse. Termination does not affect accrued rights or obligations, including any owed fees.
14. Data Protection
Please refer to our Privacy Policy for information about how we process and protect personal data in accordance with applicable UK data protection laws.
15. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
16. Referral and Rewards Terms
Boardly may offer referral rewards from time to time. Availability, amounts, and eligibility will be communicated separately. No guarantees are made regarding the availability or value of referral rewards.
17. Candidate Ownership
When a Candidate is introduced to a Client via the platform, Boardly retains commercial ownership of that introduction for a period of 12 months from the date of first access or introduction.
If the Client, or any associated entity or representative, engages the Candidate in any capacity (including advisory, fractional, or permanent board role) during this period, Boardly reserves the right to charge the applicable success fee.
This applies whether the engagement occurs via the platform or outside of it.