Guidance

Sirius Programme: Terms and Conditions

Published 19 January 2015

This guidance was withdrawn on 16 September 2016

Change in how the scheme is being run – so this guidance is no longer relevant.

1. Terms used

The Promoter: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), and any people acting on their behalf, are hereby collectively referred to as the “Promoter”.

Programme: UKTI Global Graduate Entrepreneurs Programme – The Sirius Programme.

Funding: Funding refers to the costs directly relating to Programme costs, such as Accelerator placements. Funding does not refer to investment in your business.

Financial Support: The monthly financial support is Government funded.

Graduates: A graduate is someone who has graduated from a degree or masters course from any university/ institution of higher education (tertiary education) around the world. It must be a recognised Bachelor degree, Masters degree or PhD for which you can provide evidence that it is deemed by the UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) to meet or exceed the standard of a UK Bachelor’s degree. Graduates must have completed and passed their studies and their marks must be ratified by their University Exam Board with a certificate or academic transcript confirming completion of their course and pass marks.

Team: A group of Graduates who have a business idea and are applying to the Programme. The Team must consist of Co-Founders and must be shareholders/Directors in the company.

Team Member: An individual within the Team that is a Co-Founder and is a shareholder/Director in the business. For the purposes of this Programme, external investors, who do no work full time for the company, are not classed as Team Members or Co-Founders.

Applicant: The Team that has submitted an application for the Programme.

Accelerator: Accelerators support the Teams to grow viable businesses in 12 months and provide a business premise. There are 5 Accelerators, based 1 x Newcastle, 1 x Glasgow/Edinburgh, 1 x Birmingham and 2 x London.

Successful Applicants: This term refers to the eligible Applicants who are chosen by the judging panel and the Accelerator to participate in the Programme.

Visa: Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneurs Visa endorsed by the Promoter.

Application: The online entry form completed and submitted by the Team.

2. The Programme

Teams will be applying for a place on the Sirius Programme, which is open to global graduates only. They will be based with an Accelerator who will provide support and mentoring to grow the Team’s business. The Promoter will provide 12 month programme support and no equity will be taken.

3. Eligibility Criteria

1. This Competition is open to Graduates aged 18+ and must not be considered a minor in their country of residence. 2 Applicants must be a Team of either 2 or 3 Members. No Team Members must be left in the country of origin, the full Team must re-locate to the UK.
2. Only 1 Team Member can be a UK Citizen. For example a team of: * 2 people – 1 non-UK Citizen and 1 UK Citizen OR 2 non-UK citizens. * 3 people – 2 non-UK Citizens and 1 UK Citizen OR 3 non-UK Citizens.
3. Only 1 Team Member can have graduated before 2012. For example a team of: * 2 people – 1 Graduate since 2012 and 1 Graduate before 2012 OR 2 Graduates since 2012. * 3 people – 2 Graduates since 2012 and 1 Graduate before 2012 OR 3 Graduates since 2012.
4. Each Team Member must ensure that they meet all eligibility criteria prior to their Team submitting an Application. All Applicants will be checked by the Promoter to verify eligibility prior to any potential offer of a placement on the Programme. Applications from any Team that are found to contain Team Members that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be accepted.
5. If Teams are offered a place on the Programme, Applicants will be expected to provide copies of their (i) passport, (which must be valid for at least six months after the end of the Programme placement as a minimum) (ii) degree certificates and post-graduate degree certificates where applicable, (iii) English translation of the degree certificate where applicable, (iv) documentation that relates to any previous visa application (v) any proof of academic transcripts, and (vi) a statement of comparability from NARIC, may be required.
6. Successful Teams must transfer the Intellectual Property to the UK through an Intellectual Property Agreement.
7. Successful Teams must set up and register their business Head Quarters (HQ) in the UK.
8. All Teams must stay at the Accelerators premises for the duration of the 12 months.
9. All Team Members must be available to commit full-time (see clause 9) to the Programme once they are accepted onto it. Any Graduate that is not committed to this time frame will not be accepted and their removal from the Programme may render the remaining Team ineligible for a placement on the Programme. Subsequently the Team may lose their place on the Programme.
10. Full Time equates to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, with reasonable holiday allowed, where reasonable holiday is considered to be a maximum of 25 days per year. Agreement of long term absence from the Programme due to personal reasons, such as bereavement or family emergency, must be agreed by the Promoter in writing prior to any Team Member taking the time off the Programme and will be assessed by the Promoter on a case by case basis.
11. The Promoter may reject applications if they feel that they are in breach of any of the clauses in the Eligibility Criteria.
12. All Applications must be submitted between 2th May 2014 and 30th June 2014.
13. In each Team there must be a nominated leader who will act as the point of contact and keep the Promoter informed of changes to and within the Team, including current correspondence address throughout the application process from date of their application, until the Accelerator’s location is confirmed.
14. The team must visit www.siriusprogramme.com and complete an application form by answering a series of mandatory questions, upload additional documents and a video in support of the application, plus provide details of each Team Member.
15. Upon submission of the application form, an email confirming receipt will be sent to the nominated leader within 1 working day.
16. Judging of the application forms will take place from 4th July 2014 and will be carried out by the Promoter and an independent judging panel appointed by the Promoter. Each application will be judged within 30 working days of the closing date.
17. Judged scores of the applications will be checked and verified by an independent body.
18. The total scores will be collected and the applications that scored above the threshold of an average marking of 91/130 for the Business Stream and average marking of 49/70 for the Ideas Stream, via the judging criteria in clause 18, will be passed to the Accelerators to review within 15 working days after the judging has been completed.
19. There is separate judging criteria for the Business Stream and Ideas Stream. The maximum marks for each criteria are indicated in brackets:

Business Stream (extent to which the business idea demonstrates)

• Market Strategy (20)
• Feasibility (30);
• Financial Model (20);
• Team Combination (30);
• UK Impact (30)

Ideas Stream (extent to which the Team demonstrates):

• Market Potential (10);
• Entrepreneurial Skills (10);
• UK Impact (30);
• Team Combination (20).

1. There are 50 places available for Teams that are selected by the Accelerators for a placement on the Programme.

4. Interview Stage

1. The applications that score above the threshold stated in clause 19 will then be viewed by the Accelerators who will select the Teams they wish to interview based on their business ideas. Successful Teams will be contacted directly by the Accelerators to arrange an interview via the email address of the nominated leader.

2. Applicants will then be interviewed by the Accelerator either by phone or Skype and may be required to attend multiple Accelerator interviews with a minimum of 24 hours notice. All Team Members must be interviewed.

3. The Accelerators will then choose the Teams that they determine are the best fit for their organisation and sector focus. In the instance where more than one Accelerator has chosen a Team, the Promoter determines, in their sole discretion, which Teams are allocated to which Accelerator. If the Team does not accept the Accelerator assigned to them then their application will be withdrawn from the Programme unless they can provide reasonable grounds for requesting an alternative Accelerator or location.

4. If a Team is selected then a provisional formal offer will be made to them by the Promoter via the email address provided by the nominated team leader on the Application within 28 days of the final interview. A formal offer is provided subject to the Team accepting their Accelerator and the Promoter confirming the Team’s eligibility. Teams must accept the offer within 10 working days, otherwise the offer lapses. The Promoter and the Accelerator will then agree a start date with the Team, subject to visas and/or exceptions pending.

5. Communication with Teams will be by email, to the address provided by the nominated team leader on the submission form. The Promoter is not responsible for the reliability, or otherwise, of email.

6. After an interview if a Team is unsuccessful at any point of the process, the nominated leader will receive an email confirming this within 28 working days of the decision that the application is unsuccessful.

5. Visa

1. Successful non-UK citizen Applicants must either have the right to work in the UK, or be eligible for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa endorsed by the Promoter.

2. Team Members who are offered a place on the Programme with their Team and require a Visa, must apply for and be granted a Visa. Team Members who are not granted a Visa cannot take part in the Programme until this is in place. In the event that a Team Member’s Visa application is refused, the Promoter will confirm whether the Team’s application is still compliant with eligibility criteria clauses 2, 3 and 4. The removal of a Team Member may render the team ineligible for a placement.

3. Only Applicants that are granted a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneurs Visa are eligible for a place on the Programme. If Successful Applicants want to apply for an alternative Visa, this may affect their offer of a Programme placement and they must seek permission from the Promoter prior to submitting their Visa application.

4. The Promoter will provide an endorsement letter and will liaise with Applicants to make sure they have all documentation and information required (copy of passport, details about previous visas and degree certificate) to issue the letter and make the process as smooth as possible.

6. Requirements for Teams on the Programme

1. Visa applications made by Graduates from a non-English speaking country or who have graduated from a non-English speaking university will be required to pass an approved English test with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
2. Applicants must confirm they have all the rights, licenses, permissions and consents necessary to submit their proposed idea.
3. Once successful Teams have accepted their place on the Programme the Applicants must then complete a Next Steps Form to confirm their eligibility.
4. The Teams must (i) demonstrate that the Intellectual Property has been transferred or will be transferred to the UK through an Intellectual Property Agreement, (ii) set up and register their Head Quarter (HQ) company in the UK, (iii) demonstrate that their business bank account is set up and based in the UK or are in the process of doing so.
5. Teams are solely responsible for the structure of the business and the Team Members within it. Internal Team disputes that are based on individual’s roles or positions within the business must be resolved by the Team. Accelerators can provide mentoring regarding Team relations and individual roles within the business, but are not liable for dispute resolution and the Promoter will not be responsible for, or get involved, in any Team dispute resolution.
6. The Accelerators and the Promoter will operate reviews with the Teams. Specific, measurable objectives and targets will be discussed, agreed and set every month with the Team by the Accelerator. If under 70% of the objectives per month are achieved over 3 consecutive months, then the Promoter reserves the right to terminate the Team’s placement on the Programme. Example: if 10 objectives are set and only 5 are met, this would be under 70%.
7. Once a Team has been offered a place and have accepted it, any changes that they would like to make must be made within the first 4 months of the placement. Any changes to this must be documented, reviewed and accepted by the Promoter to continue with their placement on the Programme. The Team must submit the changes on UKTI’s Exception Form. The form and change is reviewed by the UKTI committee and their decision is final and will be communicated within 10 working days. If the change is rejected the placement for the Team Member or the entire Team may be terminated at the sole discretion of the Promoter and Accelerator.

7. The Programme Placement

1. There are 50 places available, each comprises a 12 month placement for a Team at the selected Accelerator.
2. £12,000 financial support is provided on a pro-rata basis to each Successful Applicant. Payment is made in 11 monthly instalments with the first installment providing two months payment in advance, on a pro-rata monthly basis and paid into the Team company business bank account. There will be no payment in the final month. An additional £2000 per person per year will be provided for Teams based in London. Financial support is supplied to individual Team Members and not as an entire amount to the whole Team.
3. Only the successful Applicants who have applied at the start of the Programme, or have been accepted as a Team Member change via the Exceptions process, are eligible for Programme funding and financial support. If any Team Member leaves the Team throughout the Programme they will no longer be eligible for funding and this funding for that Team Member will cease immediately. The remaining Team Members will still receive funding.
4. Additional Team Members that are not accepted via the Exceptions process or any interns or employees that are brought in during the 12 month placement are not eligible for Programme funding or financial support.
5. The Financial Support for each Team member will be paid into the Team business bank account. Promoters are unable to pay the funding support into a personal bank account.
6. Teams must submit monthly invoices to their Accelerators for the funds to be paid monthly.
7. It is the responsibility of the Team to seek accountancy advice for the provision of the financial support from the Promoter to the Team’s business bank account.
8. If more than 50% of the Team is able to commence work with their Accelerator, but a Team Member has not yet received their Visa, the Team are allowed to start their placement. However, monthly financial support is only provided for individual Team Members of the Team that are in the UK and have started at the Accelerator.
9. Every Team Member must stay in the UK for the duration of the programme apart from their allocated annual leave and in accordance with any relevant Visa stipulations. The Accelerator office location will be the business base for the Team throughout the programme. If the Team at any time leaves the Accelerator then the Promoter reserves the right to terminate the funding and their placement on the programme with immediate effect.
10. If a Team Member leaves the Programme, then the Promoter will notify the Home Office immediately and the individual’s Visa will be revoked. The individual must then abide by all relative immigration laws and seek advice regarding these if they are uncertain of them.
11. If for any reason a Team Member’s visa is revoked then their place within the Team and on the Programme will be terminated.
12. Induction training will be provided by the Promoter and it is compulsory that every Team attends an induction session, which will be held in London. The dates are provided to Teams once they have a place on the Programme.
13. The Promoter will provide additional support in developing skills throughout the 12 months through additional optional workshops and events run for the Teams on the Programme.
14. If the Promoter deems that the Team or Team Members have brought the Programme, the Promoter or the Accelerator into disrepute, withdrawal of their funding and placement on the Programme will be immediately terminated.
15. If a Team decides and has agreement from the Accelerator and the Promoter to pivot with a new product or business idea in the first 6 months of their placement, funding will be made available for a further 12 months subject to approval by the Promoter. The previous objectives set for the Team and their business idea will be changed to reflect the pivot.

8. Expenses

1. Travel to the UK and expenses during participation in the Programme within the UK are at each Team Member’s cost. Successful Applicants are expected to use the Financial support for living and travel costs as well as any other financial responsibilities required of them.
2. Emergency accommodation and travel expenses may be offered in exceptional circumstances if these are deemed to be a necessity by the Promoter. Agreement of this support by the Promoter must be gained in advance of the expense being incurred by the Team Member, by contacting UKTI in advance. UKTI reserves the right to offer or withdraw this support at any time.
3. For those approved travel and subsistence expense claims, proof of purchase with a valid receipt must be given. This should be scanned as a PDF and sent along with an expense claim form which can be requested from help@uktieventsteam.com. Expense claims will be paid into the Team’s company business bank account within 10 working days of receipt, as long as the correct information and proof of purchase is provided.
4. The costs for applying for a Visa will be reimbursed on condition that a receipt for each transaction can be provided. No reimbursement is possible for dependent’s costs. Successful Applicants can also claim for postage costs if proof of purchase is provided.
5. If a ‘Statement of Comparability’ is needed, a reimbursement of £46 will be made, if this requires translation the amount that can be claimed is increased, providing that proof of purchase can be given.
6. Reimbursed claims may be less than the claim submitted e.g. a claim for first class travel will be reimbursed at the standard rate, at the Promoter’s discretion.

9. General

1. The Promoter, their agents and immediate family involved in the creation and administration of this Programme are excluded from participation.
2. Internet access and adequate English language skills are required for the Application process.
3. By applying to the Programme, Applicants consent to have details of their application – other than commercially sensitive information – featured in any media or promotional activity for the Programme being carried out by the Promoter. The Promoter will contact applicants in advance of any media request for interviews. Successful applicants are also required to inform the promoter in advance, of any media request for interviews, they receive directly.
4. The judges are not required to sign a non- disclosure agreement but are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards when judging.
5. No corruption of, defect in, failure or delay in the delivery of any email communication from the Promoter will entitle an applicant to an extension of any deadline or timeframe or otherwise entitle an applicant to make any form of claim.
6. The successful Teams will need to respond promptly to requests for information from the Promoter as, in the event the applicable Visa cannot be arranged in the timescales available, the Team Member affected will not be able to commence at the Accelerator or receive the funding until such time as they are in the UK and have started their placement.
7. The Promoter will only use the personal details supplied for the administration of this promotion and for no other purpose, unless we have your consent. Seewww.ukti.gov.uk for the UKTI’s privacy policy.
8. By applying for this Programme, Applicants confirm that their entry: * is their own work; * does not infringe or violate the rights of any third party, including but not limited to, ownership, copyrights, trademarks, patents, logos, licensing rights, rights of publicity or privacy or any other intellectual property rights.
9. The Promoter will reject entries which, in the reasonable opinion of the Promoter: * are deemed by the Promoter to be consultancies, franchises, or import/export business will not be eligible for the Programme. * contain any content that is likely to be considered offensive by the Promoter or could reflect negatively the name, reputation, or goodwill of the Promoter and Accelerators. * include trademarks, logos, or copyrighted material not owned by the applicants or used without the right holder’s prior written permission (including famous names, company names, etc.); * defames, misrepresents, or insults other people or companies, including, but not limited to the Promoter and Accelerators. * promotes any political agenda.
10. By applying, Applicants acknowledge that other Applicants may have created ideas and concepts that may be similar to their entry, and that Applicants will not be entitled to any compensation or right to negotiate with the Promoter over such matters.
11. The Teams are responsible for ensuring they are able to accept the place on the Programme as set out in these Terms and Conditions.
12. Once confirmed, placements cannot be altered or amended and no refunds are possible. For the avoidance of doubt, the Programme does not include any costs of a personal nature not explicitly set out in these terms and conditions.
13. Passports are required to have a minimum 6 months validity beyond scheduled return date to be valid.
14. For the avoidance of doubt, no compensation and/or refund will be provided in the event of a flight or accommodation cancellation.
15. Teams are responsible for and must comply with any health advice / regulations / inoculations required by any destination country. Any associated costs for this are the responsibility of the applicants.
16. No responsibility is accepted for entries lost, damaged or delayed or as a result of any network, computer hardware or software failure of any kind. The Promoter and any affiliated companies are not responsible for any entry, generated by computer hardware or software, malfunction, error or failure.
17. All submissions must be made directly by the nominated team leader entering the promotion. Entries made online using methods such as a macro, a script, or the use of automated devices or processes are not allowed and all such entries will be disqualified.
18. All entry instructions form part of these Terms and Conditions. By entering this promotion, all applicants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by the Terms and Conditions.
19. By entering, applicants and Teams all agree to participate in any reasonable publicity arranged by the Promoter or by the Accelerator e.g. photo-shoots, videos and interviews. Where necessary, the promoter may require a signed image rights waiver form. The Promoter may invite Applicants to take part in promotional activities at the Promoter’s expense.
20. The successful Teams are also expected to proactively engage with the promoter (while not imposing on work commitments) in terms of marketing communications activity to amplify their experience throughout the year.
21. The name, country and profile of each Successful Applicant will be made available for PR purposes globally. Each individual will be asked to provide a profile and photo once they join the Programme and this is held on the Sirius Programme website.
22. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for late, lost or misdirected entries. No bulk, third party or automated entries permitted. The Promoter reserves the right to verify the validity of entries and reserves the right to disqualify any entrant for tampering with the entry process.
23. The Promoter and Accelerators cannot accept any responsibility for any damage, loss, injury suffered by any entrant entering the promotion or as a result of accepting any prize. Nothing shall exclude the Promoter’s liability for death or personal injury as a result of its negligence.
24. If for any reason the Programme is not capable of running as planned for reasons (including but not limited to tampering, unauthorised intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes beyond the control of the Promoter which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this promotion), the Promoter reserves the right (subject to any written directions given under applicable law) to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the promotion.
25. If for any reason the Programme is not capable of running as planned due to reasons beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter or Accelerator, the Promoter shall not be liable for failures to comply with these Terms & Conditions and shall endeavor to communicate with all affected parties at the earliest possible opportunity.
26. If an act, omission, event or circumstance occurs which is beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter or Accelerator and which prevents them from complying with these terms and conditions, the Promoter or Accelerator will not be liable for any failure to perform or delay in performing its obligation.
27. The Promoter may refuse to award the placement to a Team in the event of an applicant’s fraud, dishonesty or non-entitlement under these Terms and Conditions.
28. The decision of the Promoter and Accelerator shall be final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into.
29. The Promoter and Accelerator assumes no responsibility for damages, losses or injuries that result from participation in this promotion or acceptance of the placement into the programme.
30. This promotion is governed by English law and applicants submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.