1. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
   • Be a startup or research group
   • Have a patented prototype and product with commercial potential
   • The project is in the early stage of commercialisation, and already generating revenue (no limitation on revenue scale)
   • The project must not infringe on any third-party intellectual property rights
   • Previous winning projects are not eligible to reapply; non-winning past entries may reapply
   • Ready for scaling with industry partners, investors and markets
2. You must be 18 years or older. You must be 18 years or older to use our Services, and by submitting the application you declare that you meet this condition.
3. You must have authority to bind your business. You confirm that you have authority to bind any business or entity on whose behalf you use our services, and that business or entity accepts the Terms.
4. TERA-Award Smart Energy Innovation Competition (the “Award”), applicants are deemed to have agreed to the Terms, including any additional ones set by TERA-Award Company Limited (the “Organiser”) and the panel of judges (the “Panel of Judges”) as needed.
5. The applicants’ submissions to the Award (the “Entries”) should be of original and novel designs that they have created and own.
6. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with the Panel of Judges, the Organiser, and special guests to present their Entries.
7. If, after an award is bestowed, any information supplied in the application or Entry is found to be fraudulent or untrue, or the awardee is associated with fraudulent or dishonourable acts, the Organiser reserves the right to withdraw the award and re-award another applicant at the sole discretion of the Organiser. Any received award, prize and/or money must be returned immediately.
8. If any Entry is considered inappropriate for any reason, the Organiser and the Panel of Judges reserve the right to reject or disqualify the Entry and to grant or withdraw any award without providing an explanation. The applicants’ understanding is appreciated.
9. Any publication or release of information about an Entry is for informational purposes only and doesn’t imply an endorsement, warranty, guarantee, or recommendation by the Organiser.
10. The Organiser supports startups and later-stage businesses through strategic investments, offering financial support, technical resources, mentorship, and valuable connections as a financial investor, incubator, and accelerator. If an applicant who is notified by the Organiser in writing as one of the [shortlisted finalists] plans to conduct any fundraising activities through equity or convertible debt securities within 24 months from the date of the said notification, it will notify and invite the Organiser to discuss and explore potential investment or collaboration opportunities in good faith. This should be done before or at the same time as engaging with other third-party investors or collaborators, and on terms no less favorable than those offered to others. While the Organiser can’t guarantee that any investment transactions or collaborations will be finalized, it is excited about the possibility of working together to achieve great things!
11. The applicants are responsible for ensuring their Entries do not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights. If any issues arise from violations of any third party’s intellectual property rights, the applicants will need to bear the legal and other responsibilities. The applicants agree to protect the Organiser from any claims, losses, damages, costs, expenses, and liabilities that might arise from such violations.
12. For the purpose of the Terms, “intellectual property rights” means all intellectual property rights, whether registered, unregistered or capable of registration, now known or hereinafter derived, conceived, invented or created worldwide. All Entries remain the property of the applicants. The Organiser, its employees or partners won’t be responsible for any loss of intellectual property rights if the applicants’ designs or work are disclosed.
13. The Organiser may share and disclose any and all Entries, in whole or in part (in any format) for the purposes of administering, organizing, providing, hosting, fulfilling, promoting, marketing, advertising, and showcasing the Award. As a result, information about the Entries may become public. It is the applicants’ responsibility to protect their own intellectual property rights.
14. Any information, details, documents, and materials submitted with the Entries won’t be returned. The Organiser will either keep or destroy them at its discretion.
15. Should unforeseen circumstances occur, the Organiser may need to suspend or cancel the Award at any time for any reason they see fit. To the fullest extent allowed by law, the Organiser does not make any representation as to any warranties and conditions about the Award, whether express or implied.
16. Applicants agree to fully protect and support the Organiser, its employees and partners from claims related to their Entries or any breach of the Terms. The Organiser reserves the right to manage the defense of such claims, and applicants won’t settle any issues without the Organiser’s prior written consent. The applicants also agree to cooperate in defending these matters.
17. The Organiser won’t be responsible for any direct or indirect losses, damages, costs, or expenses the applicants might face related to the Award on any grounds and to the fullest extent allowed by law, including things like lost income, profits, revenue, time, savings, opportunities, data, use, business, property, or goodwill, even if the Organiser has been told these might happen.
18. Please read and agree to the Organiser’s Personal Information Collection Statement to understand how the applicants’ personal data will be used. By participating in the Award, the applicants accept the Organiser’s Personal Information Collection Statement. The Organiser may update the Terms and the Personal Information Collection Statement on the TERA-Award’s website from time to time without liability to the applicants. Updates will take effect on a specified date without notice. Please check the website regularly for updates. By continuing to participate in the Award, the applicants accept the updated Terms and Personal Information Collection Statement.
19. To the extent allowed by applicable laws and regulations, the Organiser and the applicants agree to waive any law that would make any part of the Terms invalid or unenforceable. If a part of the Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, it will be interpreted to fulfill its purpose as much as possible under the law, and the rest of the Terms will remain in effect.
20. The Terms are governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and any disputes will be exclusively handled by the courts of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Award may have legal restrictions in some jurisdictions, so it’s up to the applicants to know and follow those rules.
21. At any stage of the Award, if the Organiser requires additional information or further clarification regarding the application materials, the organiser will contact the participant. The participant must cooperate and provide the requested documents.
22. The Organiser may amend the Terms to adapt to changes in its technical or business environment and to comply with relevant laws and regulations. Any modifications to the Terms and Conditions will be published on this website, with the effective date clearly indicated.
23. If there’s any difference between the English and Chinese versions of the Terms, the English version will apply.

Effective Day
1st January, 2026

The Organiser looks forward to seeing the applicants’ amazing work. Best of luck to all participants, and thank you for being a part of this journey with the Organiser!