Terms of Service

1. Overview

Remedy Fund, LLC ("Company", "we", "us", "our") operates the Remedy Fund platform ("Platform") connecting medical researchers with communities seeking to fund research. By using our Platform, you agree to these Terms of Service.

The Platform operates two funding models:

• Direct Project Funding: Researchers post projects, individuals fund directly
• Community Pools: Communities pool funds and vote on research proposals

2. Funding Models

2.1 Direct Project Funding (All-or-Nothing with Milestones)

Researchers set multiple funding tiers representing research milestones. Projects must reach their first milestone to receive any funding.

• If the first milestone is not reached by the deadline, all contributions are refunded minus payment processing fees
• Once the first milestone is reached, no refunds are available
• Projects execute at the highest milestone tier achieved

2.2 Community Pools (Flexible Funding)

Community pools keep all funds raised regardless of whether they reach their goal. Funds are distributed to research proposals selected through community voting.

• No refunds once the voting period begins
• Minimum pool size: $10,000
• Pool creators set the rules and timeline

3. Community Pool Operations

3.1 Timeline

1. Proposal Period: 30 days to 1 year (pool creator's choice, default 60 days)
2. Auto-Extension: If fewer than minimum proposals received, automatically extends 30 days (once only)
3. Review Period: 3 days for contributors to review all proposals
4. Voting Period: 3-21 days (pool creator's choice, default 7 days)
5. Distribution: Funds sent to winning proposal(s) within 7 business days

3.2 Voting Mechanics (Administrative Only)

Proportional Weighted Voting: Your voting power equals your percentage of total pool contributions for administrative purposes only.

• Example: Contributing $900 to a $1,000 pool gives you 90% voting power for directing charitable distributions only
• All votes are anonymous until results are revealed
• You may change your vote until the voting deadline
• Results are hidden during the voting period to prevent bias
• Voting confers no ownership, management, or profit rights

3.3 Single Proposal Scenario

If only one proposal is submitted, contributors vote Yes or No. The proposal needs 50% or more weighted approval to receive funding. If rejected, contributors vote on whether to refund the pool or extend the deadline.

3.4 Minimum Participation

At least 30% of contributors must vote for results to be valid. If quorum is not met, voting automatically extends by 3 days. After extension, simple majority of actual voters decides.

4. Fraud Prevention and Community Safety

4.1 Researcher Verification

All researchers must complete identity verification before submitting projects:

• Academic Researchers: .edu email verification and ORCID ID confirmation
• Independent Researchers: Government ID verification and video interview
• Biotech/Startup: Business registration and employment verification
• Project Listing Fee: $100 fee required (90% refunded if project fails to reach first milestone)

4.2 Community Reporting System

Users can report suspicious projects or behavior:

• Report projects that appear fraudulent or misleading
• Flag researchers who fail to provide updates or misuse funds
• All reports are reviewed within 3 business days
• Credible reports trigger investigation and potential project removal
• False reports may result in account suspension

4.3 Platform Response to Problems

• Immediate suspension of projects with credible fraud allegations
• Cooperation with law enforcement when appropriate
• Mediation services for contributor-researcher disputes
• Refund consideration in cases of proven fraud (at platform discretion)

5. Fees and Refund Policy

5.1 Platform Fees

• Platform Fee: 6% of successfully funded contribution amounts
• Auto-Tipping System: Optional tips (default 5%) to support platform development - fully adjustable from 0% to custom amounts
• Payment Processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (Stripe Connect fees)
• Project Listing Fee: $100 per project submission (refunded if project fails to reach first milestone)
• Pool Creation Fee: $50 per community pool creation
• Example: $100 contribution + $5 tip (5%) = $105 total charge. Researcher receives ~$90.65 after fees.
• Payment Method: All payments processed through Stripe Connect for direct researcher payments
• No platform fees charged on refunded amounts

5.2 Refund and Cancellation Policy

• The $100 Project Listing Fee is non-refundable.
• Contributors may cancel a pledge at any time before the project's funding deadline through their account dashboard. If a project fails to meet its funding goal, all pledges are automatically cancelled and no funds are collected.
• Once a project's funding goal is successfully met and the campaign ends, all contributions are considered final and non-refundable charitable donations.
• Fraud Cases: Refunds considered on case-by-case basis with proper documentation
• Processing Time: 7-10 business days for approved refunds
• Coupon Codes: We may occasionally offer coupon codes that can be used to discount the Project Listing Fee. Any such promotion will be subject to its own terms and will not alter other fee structures.

6. User Responsibilities

6.1 Researchers Must:

• Provide accurate and complete information
• Have appropriate institutional approval and ethics clearance
• Deliver promised milestones and deliverables
• Provide monthly progress updates minimum
• Use funds only for stated research purposes
• Cannot withdraw proposals after voting begins
• Submit to verification process including video interview if required
• Acknowledge that failure to provide updates, adhere to the project plan, or any instance of misrepresentation or fraud may result in immediate suspension of funding, removal from the platform, and a report to your affiliated institution.

6.2 Pool Creators Must:

• Set clear evaluation criteria for proposals
• Communicate regularly with contributors
• Cannot change pool rules after launch
• Must abstain from voting if submitting a proposal to their own pool

6.3 Contributors:

• Must evaluate projects independently and assume all risk
• May request refunds before proposal period ends (for pools)
• Must use votes before expiration
• Cannot withdraw contributions during voting period
• Acknowledge that contributions are purely charitable donations, not investments, purchases, or securities
• Understand that voting rights are administrative only and confer no ownership or profit rights
• Can report suspicious activity to help protect the community

7. User-Generated Content

You are solely responsible for any content you post to the Platform, including comments, questions, and forum posts ("User Content"). By posting User Content, you agree not to post anything that is false, misleading, defamatory, or that provides medical advice. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any User Content. We reserve the right, but not the obligation, to review, moderate, and remove any User Content that violates these Terms at our sole discretion.

By posting content, you grant Remedy Fund a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute your content for the purposes of operating and promoting the Platform. This license does not grant us any ownership of your intellectual property.

8. Medical Compliance and Liability

7.1 Platform Medical Boundaries

7.2 Medical Information Disclaimer

ALL MEDICAL AND HEALTH-RELATED INFORMATION ON THIS PLATFORM:

• Is provided for research funding purposes only
• Should not be relied upon for medical decision-making
• Is not a substitute for professional medical advice
• Has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA or any regulatory body
• May contain theoretical or experimental concepts not proven effective

7.3 Researcher Medical Compliance Requirements

All researchers using this platform MUST:

• Comply with all FDA regulations and guidelines
• Obtain necessary Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals
• Avoid making unsubstantiated medical or health claims
• Clearly label all research as investigational
• Include appropriate medical disclaimers in project descriptions
• Not promise cures, treatments, or specific medical outcomes
• Maintain compliance with all applicable medical research regulations

7.4 Prohibited Medical Claims

The following claims are STRICTLY PROHIBITED on this platform:

• Claims that research will cure, treat, or prevent any disease
• Promises of specific medical outcomes or benefits
• Endorsement of unapproved drugs or medical devices
• Medical advice or treatment recommendations
• Claims of FDA approval where none exists
• Guarantees of safety or efficacy for experimental treatments
• Direct medical consultations or diagnoses

7.5 Medical Liability Limitations

7.6 Indemnification for Medical Claims

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Remedy Fund, LLC from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from:

• Medical decisions made based on platform information
• Adverse health outcomes related to funded research
• Violations of FDA regulations or medical compliance requirements
• False or misleading medical claims made by researchers
• Any medical malpractice or negligence claims

7.7 Healthcare Provider Relationship

8. Important Legal Notices

8.1 No Investment Returns - Charitable Donations Only

8.2 Platform Liability

Remedy Fund, LLC operates a platform for connecting researchers and funders. We are not responsible for:

• The success or failure of research projects
• The accuracy of information provided by researchers
• The scientific or medical outcomes of funded research
• Disputes between users
• Research outcomes, quality, or ethical conduct
• Misuse of funds by researchers

8.3 Dispute Resolution

Disputes are handled through our community flagging system and platform review process. Binding arbitration may be required for unresolved disputes.

9. Prohibited Uses

The Platform may not be used for:

• Personal medical expenses or treatments
• Unregulated human experiments
• Research without proper institutional oversight
• Political activities or lobbying
• Any illegal activities
• Projects promising investment returns, profit sharing, equity, or any form of financial return to contributors
• Any activity that could be construed as offering securities, investments, or ownership interests
• Creating multiple accounts to circumvent restrictions
• Submitting false or misleading project information
• Harassment of researchers or other users
• Making unsubstantiated medical or health claims
• Promoting unapproved drugs, treatments, or medical devices
• Providing medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations
• Claiming to cure, treat, or prevent any disease without FDA approval
• Violating FDA regulations or medical compliance requirements
• Conducting research without proper IRB approval where required
• Making false claims about FDA approval or endorsement
• Recruiting patients for unauthorized clinical trials
• Selling or distributing investigational drugs or treatments

10. Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms. Suspended users may not create new accounts.

11. Changes to Terms

We may update these terms with 30 days notice. Active pools and projects continue under the terms in effect when they launched.

12. Contact Information

General inquiries: support@remedy.fund
Legal questions: legal@remedy.fund
Platform abuse: report@remedy.fund
Fraud reports: fraud@remedy.fund